Breaking Into Finance: Your Complete Guide to Entry Level Financial Analyst Jobs

Are you a recent graduate eager to break into the world of finance? Looking for finance jobs for recent grads or analyst jobs in finance that can kickstart your career? You’re in the right place. In this blog, we'll explore entry level financial analyst jobs—what they involve, how to find them, and how you can prepare to thrive. We'll also introduce you to relevant secondary keywords, delve into common LSI keywords, and answer frequent questions from job seekers, all in a conversational yet professional tone. Whether you're seeking your first job as a financial analyst or hunting analyst jobs in finance, this guide has got you covered.

1. What Exactly Are Entry Level Financial Analyst Jobs?

An entry level financial analyst position typically refers to roles where you work with data, budgets, and financial forecasts to support larger business goals. These jobs often fall under titles like junior financial analyst, trainee finance analyst, or financial data analyst for freshers. You might be asked to:

Gather and analyze financial data

Assist in preparing monthly P&L reports

Support the financial planning and analysis entry jobs team

Participate in budget reviews and variance analysis

These beginner roles in financial services are foundational in corporate finance analyst entry jobs. For investment analyst entry positions, the focus might lean more toward market research and asset performance. But all these entry level financial analyst jobs provide amazing training grounds for a thriving finance career.

2. Why Choose a Career with Entry Level Financial Analyst Jobs?

2.1 Clear Career Path

Most firms offer well-defined ladders that lead from financial planning and analysis roles into senior finance roles, treasury, or even CFO pathways.

2.2 Strong Compensation

Even at the start, salaries are competitive. Entry-level roles in budget analyst or financial reporting can earn between $55K–$70K, while investment analyst entry positions can command even higher pay.

2.3 Skill Development

You’ll gain hands-on experience in:

Financial modeling

Forecasting

Data visualization

Report writing

These are marketable skills across sectors: tech, banking, manufacturing — you name it.

2.4 Impact & Exposure

Even entry-level corporate finance analyst entry jobs allow you to influence decisions on cost-saving strategies, pricing, and investment.

3. Common Job Titles

Here’s a breakdown of the most relevant entry-level roles—and how they align with today’s in-demand job searches:

Junior Financial Analyst Roles: Classic entry points, often with rotational exposure to FP&A, accounting, and reporting.

Finance Graduate Job Openings: Target positions specifically marked for new grads, like "Financial Analyst – Graduate Program".

Corporate Finance Analyst Entry Jobs: Work directly with internal teams to interpret financial results.

Financial Planning and Analysis Entry Jobs: Focus on budgeting and long-range planning.

Economic Analyst Jobs for Freshers: Often found in public sector or think-tanks; involves economic forecasting.

Accounting and Finance Entry-Level Jobs: Blend finance and accounting duties like ledger reconciliation and P&L assistance.

Beginner Roles in Financial Services: Includes everything from credit analysis to operations.

Investment Analyst Entry Positions: Evaluate equities and bonds—ideal for those passionate about markets.

Financial Data Analyst Freshers: Heavy on data-driven insights and visualization.

New Graduate Finance Positions: General financial roles open to recent graduates.

Budget Analyst Entry Level: Support budget creation and variance analysis.

Trainee Finance Analyst Jobs: Structured training positions, sometimes part of rotational programs.

Finance Assistant Job Openings: Provide financial administration support, a stepping stone into analysis.

Analyst Positions for Recent Graduates: Broad category encompassing all of the above.

Entry-Level Roles in Financial Reporting: Prepare reports on company performance.

4. Where to Find Entry Level Financial Analyst Jobs

4.1 Company Career Pages

Large banks like JPMorgan, Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG list their finance graduate job openings or analyst positions right on their websites.

4.2 Job Boards

Search filters with these tags help narrow choices:

“Entry level financial analyst”

“Junior financial analyst roles”

“Trainee finance analyst”

Platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor are excellent starting points.

4.3 Campus Recruiting

Many firms host information sessions and on-site interviews—perfect for tapping into new graduate finance positions.

4.4 Internship to Full-Time

If you're working in a summer internship, perform well and you may convert into a permanent entry level financial analyst job.

5. How to Stand Out in Applications

Strong Academic Background:

Degrees in finance, economics, accounting, or business.

Technical Skills:

Excel modeling, Power BI/Tableau, Python or R basics.

Interpersonal Skills:

Clear communication and business awareness are key.

Relevant Experiences:

Internships in FP&A, treasury, corporate finance, or credit.

Professional Certifications:

Certifications like the CFA or CPA can help, especially for accounting and finance entry-level jobs.

6. FAQs

What qualifications do you need for an entry level financial analyst job?

Most employers look for a Bachelor’s in finance, economics, business, or accounting. Strong Excel skills, familiarity with financial modeling, and good analytical capabilities are essential. Having completed internships or financial planning and analysis entry jobs is a plus.

How much do entry level financial analysts make?

Salaries range from $55K to $75K to start. Positions labeled as investment analyst entry positions may command higher wages, especially in financial markets hubs.

What are the responsibilities of a junior financial analyst?

Expect duties like data gathering, budget variance analysis, financial forecasting, report creation, and support for strategic planning. You might also prepare executive slide decks or analyze project profitability.

Where can I find entry level financial analyst jobs near me?

Use filters like “local” or “remote” on job platforms, check your university’s career portal, and attend local networking events hosted by finance associations.

Is a financial analyst a good entry level job?

Absolutely. It's a solid career starter that builds core finance competencies, exposes you to cross-functional stakeholders, and offers pathways into markets, corporate finance, risk, and more.

7. Similar Job Phrases & What They Mean

First Job as a Financial Analyst: Generally refers to your debut in the industry, often in FP&A or operational financial roles.

Entry Level Analyst Positions in Finance: A catch-all term for financial roles open to graduates, ranging across departments.

What qualifications do you need for an entry level financial analyst job?

Answer: A Bachelor’s in finance, accounting, business, or economics; strong Excel skills; basic knowledge of financial statements and accounting; internships in relevant roles.

What are the responsibilities of a junior financial analyst?

Answer: Gathering financial data, budgeting, forecasting, P&L reporting, variance analysis, deck prep—key tasks that support decision-making.

Where can I find entry level financial analyst jobs near me?

Answer: Platforms like LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, company websites, campus career boards, and finance networking events.

Is a financial analyst a good entry level job?

Answer: Yes—these positions offer excellent training, role diversity, career flexibility, and clear progression routes in finance and beyond.

“Best Entry Level Financial Analyst Jobs for Recent Graduates in 2025”

If you're searching for the best entry level financial analyst jobs for recent graduates in 2025, you're not alone. Top roles combine competitive pay, strong training, mentorship, and visibility. Firms in finance, tech, healthcare, and consumer goods frequently offer such programs—look for postings from companies like Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and Deloitte.

10. Wrapping Up

To land your ideal entry level financial analyst job, follow this roadmap:

Polish your resume with relevant coursework, internships, and modeling examples.

Tailor your cover letter to each role, using keywords like junior financial analyst roles, financial planning and analysis entry jobs, or investment analyst entry positions.

Build proficiency in Excel, Power BI, or SQL.

Leverage campus links, referrals, and job portals.

Prepare for interviews by practicing financial case questions, accounting principles, and data-based problem solving.

By positioning yourself effectively with the right language—talking about analysis for freshers, budget analyst entry level positions, and financial data analyst freshers—you'll stand out in a competitive field. With persistence, skill, and strategic keyword use, you'll soon land the position that launches your finance career.

Skills Employers Look for in Entry-Level Financial Analysts

In addition to degrees and internships, recruiters often assess the following skill sets:

Technical Skills: Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables), SQL, Power BI, Tableau

Analytical Thinking: Ability to draw insights from numbers

Attention to Detail: Spotting trends, discrepancies, and financial inconsistencies

Business Communication: Clear reporting and executive-level presentation writing

Time Management: Handling multiple reports under tight deadlines

Team Collaboration: Working cross-functionally with marketing, operations, or IT

Adding these keywords to your resume or interview pitch significantly increases your odds of landing interviews.

Tools Commonly Used in Entry-Level Analyst Jobs

Familiarity with these tools will give you a competitive edge:

Microsoft Excel – The core tool for modeling and data analysis

QuickBooks or NetSuite – For basic accounting and reporting

Power BI/Tableau – For creating dashboards and visual storytelling

SAP or Oracle – Enterprise Resource Planning systems in large companies

Bloomberg Terminal – For investment-related roles or market data

Even beginner-level exposure to these platforms is a big plus.

Best Locations for Entry-Level Analyst Roles

If you're open to relocation or remote jobs, here are some U.S. cities with high demand for entry level financial analyst jobs:

New York City, NY – Finance capital of the world

San Francisco, CA – Big on fintech and investment roles

Chicago, IL – Known for commercial finance and consulting

Charlotte, NC – Growing banking and insurance sector

Boston, MA – Strong in healthcare finance and tech

These cities host many campus hiring programs and offer mentorship-rich environments for recent grads.

Certifications That Can Strengthen Your Application

While not required, these certifications improve credibility:

CFA Level I (Chartered Financial Analyst) – Highly respected in investment and research

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) – Preferred for accounting-heavy roles

FMVA (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst) – Recognized in FP&A and investment banking

Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) – Quick certificate to showcase market knowledge

Entry-Level Interview Prep Tips

Entry-level interviews often include behavioral and technical questions. Prepare for:

"Walk me through a financial model you built."

"How would you estimate the future cash flows of a business?"

"Tell me about a time you analyzed data and made a recommendation."

"How do you stay updated on market or industry trends?"

Mock interviews, online finance case prep, and platforms like Wall Street Prep or Mergers & Inquisitions can be extremely helpful.

Final Thoughts

Entry level financial analyst jobs can be your ticket to a successful finance career. With the right keywords—finance jobs for recent grads, analyst jobs in finance, plus all the LSI terms outlined earlier—you’ll optimize both your job search and your application materials.

Focus on practical preparation, clear communication of your qualifications, and tracking the top new graduate finance positions. Ready to get started? Your path to a rewarding financial career is just a few applications away.