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Financial Specialists

Financial specialists analyze, evaluate, and manage various aspects of money, investments, and financial risk across diverse industries and organizations. These professionals work in banks, insurance companies, government agencies, consulting firms, and corporations, providing expertise in areas such as accounting, taxation, property valuation, credit analysis, and investment planning. They prepare detailed reports, ensure regulatory compliance, and help individuals and businesses make informed financial decisions.

Median Annual Pay
$80,724
Range: $29,170 - $184,330
Training Time
4-5 years
AI Resilience
🟠In Transition
Education
Bachelor's degree

🎬Career Video

πŸ€–AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: high AI task exposure indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
High+0

63% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+3% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 15/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

πŸ“‹Key Responsibilities

  • β€’Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
  • β€’Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
  • β€’Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
  • β€’Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
  • β€’Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
  • β€’Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
  • β€’Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
  • β€’Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.

πŸ’‘Inside This Career

Financial specialists begin their days by diving into numbers, data, and analysis that form the backbone of economic decision-making. Whether reviewing financial statements at a corporate office, conducting property inspections in the field, or meeting with clients to discuss investment strategies, these professionals spend their time interpreting complex financial information and translating it into actionable insights. A typical morning might involve analyzing market trends, examining loan applications, assessing risk factors, or preparing detailed reports that will influence major business decisions. The work requires meticulous attention to detail as they verify calculations, ensure regulatory compliance, and identify potential issues or opportunities within financial data.

The collaborative nature of financial work means specialists frequently interact with diverse stakeholders throughout their day. They might present findings to executive teams, consult with legal professionals on compliance matters, advise individuals on personal financial planning, or coordinate with government agencies on tax-related issues. Some specialists work independently, traveling to appraise properties or investigate fraud cases, while others operate within large teams at financial institutions, insurance companies, or consulting firms. Technology plays a central role, with professionals utilizing specialized software to model scenarios, process applications, or manage vast databases of financial information.

The pace and focus of work often shifts based on external factorsβ€”tax season brings intensity for some, while market volatility creates urgency for others. Financial specialists must balance routine analytical tasks with problem-solving challenges, whether that's uncovering discrepancies in audit trails, determining fair market values for unique assets, or helping clients navigate complex financial regulations.

πŸ“ˆCareer Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$29,170
$26,253 - $32,087
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$49,792
$44,813 - $54,771
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$80,724
$72,652 - $88,796
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$132,527
$119,274 - $145,780
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$184,330
$165,897 - $202,763

πŸ“šEducation & Training

Requirements

  • β€’Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
  • β€’Experience: Several years
  • β€’On-the-job Training: Several years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
4-5 years (typically 4)
Estimated Education Cost
$46,440 - $173,400
Public (in-state):$46,440
Public (out-of-state):$96,120
Private nonprofit:$173,400
Source: college board (2024)
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πŸ’»Technology Skills

Accounting software (QuickBooks, SAP)Microsoft ExcelTax preparation softwareERP systemsAudit softwareData analysis toolsAppraisal softwareMicrosoft OfficeDatabase systemsValuation toolsPhotography/documentation softwareGIS/mapping toolsMicrosoft Office (Excel)MLS systemsProperty database software

⭐Key Abilities

β€’Oral Comprehension
β€’Written Comprehension
β€’Oral Expression
β€’Written Expression
β€’Problem Sensitivity
β€’Deductive Reasoning
β€’Inductive Reasoning
β€’Near Vision
β€’Information Ordering
β€’Mathematical Reasoning

🏷️Also Known As

Financial SpecialistsAccount AuditorAccountantAccounting AssociateAccounting AuditorAccounting ConsultantAccounting Methods AnalystAccounting OfficerAccounting Systems AnalystAsset Analyst+20 more

πŸ“‘Specializations

This career includes 17 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

πŸ”—Related Careers

Other careers in business-finance

πŸ”—Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

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