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Financial Analyst / Investment
Work with money, markets, and big decisions
Typical pay
₹6L–₹35L+ per year
To first job
1–3 years
Difficulty
Challenging
Financial analysts and investment professionals help companies and investors make money decisions — valuing businesses, analysing markets, and managing portfolios. It's competitive but rewarding, and certifications like CFA plus real Excel/modelling skills matter more than a fancy degree.
Step by step
Your roadmap
1
Learn the language of money
0–6 months- Master Excel and financial modelling.
- Learn accounting basics and how to read financial statements.
- Follow markets daily; understand valuation fundamentals.
2
Credential & build
6–24 months- Start CFA Level 1 or a strong finance certification.
- Build a portfolio of company analyses / stock pitches.
- Intern at a bank, AMC, or financial research firm.
3
Break in
2–3 years- Target analyst roles in equity research, IB, or corporate finance.
- Network hard — finance is relationship-driven.
- Specialise: equities, credit, private equity, or fintech.
What you'll get good at
Skills you build
Financial modellingExcelValuationAccountingMarket analysis
Where it leads
Roles you can land
Financial Analyst
Equity Research Analyst
Investment Banking Analyst
Portfolio Analyst
Let's be honest
Myths vs. reality
You must be from an IIM/top college
CFA + modelling skills + a strong pitch portfolio open doors.
It's all about maths
Judgement, research, and communication matter as much as numbers.
Start here
Where to learn
CFA ProgramExam
Wall Street Prep / WSOPaid
InvestopediaFree
Aswath Damodaran (YouTube)Free