What a financial analyst does
A financial analyst supports decision-making by analyzing financial results, building forecasts and models, and explaining what the results mean for the business. Typical work includes preparing budgets and rolling forecasts, analyzing variances between actual and planned results, building models for pricing, capital projects or acquisitions, creating dashboards and management reports, and supporting leadership with ad hoc analysis. Analysts often work closely with operations, sales and senior management as well as the accounting team.
The value of an analyst lies as much in communication as in technical skill. A model is only useful if decision-makers understand it and trust its assumptions. Finch screens for advanced Excel and modelling ability, experience with reporting tools, sound business judgement and the ability to present findings clearly to non-finance leaders. We confirm designations such as the CPA through CPA Ontario or the CFA charter through CFA Institute where the role requires them.
Typical responsibilities
- Prepare budgets, forecasts and long-range financial plans
- Analyze variances between actual and planned results and explain the drivers
- Build financial models for pricing, investments and business cases
- Create dashboards and management reports
- Support month-end reporting with commentary and analysis
- Provide ad hoc analysis to leadership and department heads
Qualifications and credentials
- A degree in finance, accounting, economics or business
- A CPA through CPA Ontario or the CFA charter is often preferred, depending on the role
- Advanced Excel skills, including financial modelling
- Experience with reporting or BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau
- Clear written and verbal communication for non-finance audiences
Who hires a financial analyst
- Mid-sized and large private companies
- Real estate developers and property managers
- Manufacturing and distribution businesses
- Hospitals and health care organizations
- Technology and professional services firms
Where we recruit financial analyst candidates
We fill financial analyst roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Modelling and Excel skills, tested with practical questions
- Ability to explain complex analysis in plain language
- Designation status confirmed with CPA Ontario or CFA Institute where required
- Business judgement and understanding of operational drivers
- Experience in a similar industry or reporting environment
Interview questions to ask
- Tell me about a model you built that changed a business decision.
- How do you explain a large budget variance to a manager who is not from finance?
- How do you test the assumptions in a forecast?