Alicia Wilkinson FIN 320 Project One Financial Analyst Job Aid

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Jan 9, 2024

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Alicia Wilkinson November 14, 2021 FIN 320 Project One Financial Analyst Job Aid The goal of this job aid is to provide an overview of the day-to-day responsibilities of a financial analyst and to describe the role financial management plays in an organization. Financial Responsibilities Analyze financial data in order to provide company forecasting reports. Prepare financial reports based on company’s financial data. Utilize financial reports to provide recommendations. Prepare budgets and reports for management review. Work with Project Management team to monitor expense and cost. Work with Accounting team to ensure accuracy of financial reports. Financial Management Decisions Financial management is very important when making business decisions. Without proper financial planning or management, a business will not be able to ensure the financial health of the company. In addition to maintaining the company’s financial status, having a full understanding of the company’s financials will allow business owners, managers to make decisions to better the business. Having a financial analyst provide the responsibilities above give the management insight to cash flow and provide the necessary recommendations to make business decisions. The above responsibilities also have the financial analyst working with project managers to monitor expense, which will be able to be reported to management as well. The small daily monitoring of cost is just as important as the overall data analysis for the
company as a whole. If a financial analyst was not working with program managers and accounting, there could potentially be large gaps in the money being tracked at the highest level. Accounting Principles Accounting principles are the rules the need to be followed when reporting financial information. Some of these rules are regulated at the business level, but most are regulated by the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. (Bragg, 2021) These accounting principles are directly related to financial management and what a financial analyst is expected to do. Depending on the size and job descriptions for each company, a financial analyst could be expected to complete anything from accruals for specific programs, to analyzing revenue, or even recording expenses. These types of reports and information is crucial for providing an accurate picture of the company to the management team. For example, accruals are completed to ensure that transactions are recorded in the same period they occur. If an accrual is reported incorrectly, or not reported in the correct period this can severely impact the reporting needed to make business decisions. Financial Statements Financial statements are used to help businesses make finance-related decisions. These financial statements provide valuable information to help businesses plan and view upcoming cash flow to help evaluate the financial health of the company. These statements can then help companies decide what they can invest their money in to grow their business. The main types of financial statements are a balance sheet, an income statement, or cash flow statements. A balance sheet can show what a company owes, an income statement shows how much a company has spent and has made, and cash flow statements can show the inflows and outflows of the company. These reports help the financial analyst provide educated recommendations to the
management team to make business decisions. Financial Terminology Financial statement Definition: Financial statement is, “written records that convey the business activities and financial reporting of the company.” (Murphy, 2021) How this is used: Companies can use financial statements to analyze the current performance and assess future direction of the company. (Murphy, 2021) Liquidity Definition: Liquidity is the ability to efficiently convert assets into cash without effecting market price. (Hayes, 2021) How this is used: Liquidity is used to assess the company’s ability to meet their financial obligations. Also known as the ability to pay off debts as they are due. (Hayes, 2021) Working capital Definition: Working capital is the difference between current assets and current liabilities. (Fernando, 2021) How this is used: The working capital is used to assess with some of the financial statements, helping identify cash flow and current performance of the company. Diversification Definition: Diversification is the variety of investments a company has in their portfolio; including varied assets and investments. (Segal, 2021)
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How this is used: A diverse portfolio is used in an attempt to yield higher long-term returns and lower risk for the company. (Segal, 2021) Time value of money Definition: “ The time value of money (TVM) is the concept that a sum of money is worth more now than the same sum will be at a future date due to its   earnings potential   in the interim. ” (Fernando, 2021) How this is used: Time value of money is used to find the value of money over time, meaning how a company invests their money directly impact the return they get on those investments References Bragg, S. (2021, June 15). Basic accounting principles . AccountingTools. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.accountingtools.com/articles/2017/5/15/basic-accounting- principles. Fernando, J. (2021, November 13). Time value of money (TVM) . Investopedia. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/timevalueofmoney.asp. Fernando, J. (2021, November 13). What is working capital? Investopedia. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/workingcapital.asp. Financial analyst job description [updated for 2021] . Financial Analyst Job Description [Updated for 2021]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.indeed.com/hire/job-description/financial-analyst?
gclid=Cj0KCQiAhMOMBhDhARIsAPVml- EFlsoUcWs4dTt5S66aF08IFZ1y9Ta56Hu8i5sN4QW8ibp7M4PMVtMaAgi_EALw_wcB &aceid=. Hayes, A. (2021, November 13). What is liquidity? Investopedia. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/liquidity.asp. Murphy, C. (2021, July 27). How to interpret financial statements . Investopedia. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-statements.asp. Segal, T. (2021, November 13). Diversification . Investopedia. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/diversification.asp.