• Financial analysts do the research to help people decide how to manage their money.financial image by Patrizier-Design from Fotolia.com
  
  A financial analyst is a trained professional whose primary duty is to compile information about the financial world for the purpose of advising private industry or individual customers on a plan of action for their inestments. The basic job usually entails working for a financial institution, but those who are skilled in the field also move on to positions with other entities or run their own businesses providing advice to customers.
  
  

Financial Analyst

• A financial analyst does the background work and the research to prepare reports about the financial viability of companies and the wisdom of entering into business arrangements. There are two essential sides to the business: the brokerage side where the buying happens, and the investment firm side where stocks and other commodities are sold. The end goal for a financial analyst is to make a recommendation to customers about investment opportunities. Financial analysts work with sources of all kinds, including public records on a company and industry sources. Mutual fund companies, banks and insurance companies all employ financial analysts to do the legwork that prepares the way for deals to get done. These professionals help companies forecast possible future trends in a particular company or an industry as a whole.
  
  

Investment Banker

• A financial analyst has the skills necessary to become an investment banker. An investment bank does not take deposits like local bank branches, but is in the business of helping private sector companies and public sector institutions generate working capital through issuing and brokering loans. An investment banker often acts in an advisory role between two companies in a potential merger or as an advisor to one side of the other when a major business acquisition is taking place. Investment bankers are under the watchful eye of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and must be licensed as a broker. There is a piece of the job that is involved with setting up and managing pension funds and working with mutual funds.
  
  

Financial Consultant

• A financial consultant, or financial planner, is a private business professional works with customers, such as individuals and families to offer advice on investments, life insurance and even things like mortgages. The financial consultant will also work with businesses to provide similar advice with regard to their investment decisions. A financial consultant has a working knowledge of investments and issues related to the risks of financial decisions or inaction. His advice centers around stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurance and real estate. Some financial consultants are paid commissions, but the trend is more towards a flat-fee system of compensation under which he is compensated a base fee based on the percentage of the money being managed.