Financial Analyst is one of the most in-demand and high-paying careers in India. With companies shifting towards data-driven decision-making, the demand for skilled analysts is growing across banking, finance, fintech, manufacturing, consulting, and even startups.

If you are a B.Com, BBA, MBA, or commerce student dreaming of a high-salary finance job in 2026, this guide explains 5 easy steps to become a Financial Analyst, even if you are starting from zero knowledge.

This blog follows simple Indian English, includes tables, FAQs, internal links, and is fully SEO optimized.

Step 1: Build Strong Foundations in Accounting & Finance

Every Financial Analyst must understand core financial concepts. These basics help you analyse companies, create financial models, and support business decisions.

Important Skills to Learn

• Accounting principles
  

• Budgeting & forecasting
  

• Cost management
  

• Ratio analysis
  

• Corporate finance
  

• Investments & capital markets
  

Core Topics Every Beginner Must Master

Topic	Why It Matters	Difficulty Level
Balance Sheet	Shows financial health	Easy
P&L Statement	Measures profits/losses	Medium
Cash Flow	Tracks liquidity	Medium
Financial Ratios	Used for decision-making	Medium
Valuation Basics	Required for investment roles	Hard

If you want detailed subject knowledge, reading blogs like CFA Salary Guide 2025 or Top Commerce Jobs in India (internal linking) helps you understand the industry better.

Step 2: Gain Strong Technical Skills (Excel, Power BI, SQL)

Technical tools help you convert raw financial data into meaningful insights. Employers expect analysts to handle large datasets and create dashboards.

Must-Learn Tools

• Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Macros)
  

• Power BI or Tableau
  

• SQL for data extraction
  

• Python basics (optional but beneficial)
  
  

Most Used Tools by Financial Analysts

Tool	Usage	Importance
MS Excel	Financial models & analysis	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Power BI	Dashboards	⭐⭐⭐⭐
SQL	Data extraction	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Python	Automation & analytics	⭐⭐⭐
SAP/ERP	Company reporting	⭐⭐⭐

Companies prefer candidates who know analytics tools because India is moving fast toward AI-driven finance roles.

Step 3: Earn a Recognised Finance Certification

A professional certification boosts your salary, global recognition, and job opportunities. It also helps you stand out in interviews.

Top Courses to Become a Financial Analyst

• CMA USA – best for management & corporate finance
  

• CPA USA – best for global accounting
  

• ACCA – best for international finance roles
  

• CFA – best for investment banking & equity research
  

• EA – best for US taxation
  

Course Comparison for Financial Analyst Career

Course	Duration	Salary Scope	Best For
CMA USA	6–9 months	High	Corporate finance
CPA USA	12–18 months	Very High	MNCs & Big 4
ACCA	1.5–3 years	High	Global finance
CFA	2–3 years	Very High	Investment roles
EA	6–12 months	High	Tax & compliance

Step 4: Build Experience Through Internships & Projects

Internships help you understand real corporate work. Even 2–3 months of experience creates a strong impact on your resume.

Where to Apply

• Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC)
  

• Investment banks
  

• Startups
  

• Fintech companies
  

• Corporate finance teams
  

Best Internship Roles for Financial Analyst Beginners

Internship Role	Key Work	Salary (Stipend)
Finance Intern	MIS, reports	₹5,000–₹20,000
Data Analyst Intern	Data cleaning & dashboards	₹8,000–₹30,000
Equity Research Intern	Market & sector research	₹10,000–₹25,000
FP&A Intern	Forecasting & budgeting	₹8,000–₹18,000
Tax Intern	Filing & compliance	₹5,000–₹15,000

Step 5: Build a Strong Resume, LinkedIn Profile & Crack the Interview

Your resume and LinkedIn profile should highlight your skills, tools, certification, and projects.

Tips to Make a Strong Financial Analyst Resume

• Add metrics: “Improved reporting efficiency by 20%”
  

• Highlight Excel, Power BI, SQL
  

• Mention all certifications
  

• Use industry keywords to rank in ATS
  

Common Interview Topics

• Accounting basics
  

• Ratio analysis
  

• Valuation (DCF, Comparable Company Analysis)
  

• Excel functions
  

• Business case scenarios
  
  

Sample Interview Questions & Expected Answers

Question	What Interviewers Look For
Explain working capital.	Understanding of liquidity
What is DCF?	Valuation knowledge
Difference between NPV & IRR.	Decision-making ability
How do you analyse a company?	End-to-end process clarity
Explain a project you worked on.	Practical experience

Career Opportunities & Salary in 2026

Financial Analysts will have massive demand due to AI, automation, and global expansion of companies. Salaries for skilled analysts remain high across industries.

Typical Salary Range in India (2026)

• Freshers: ₹4 LPA – ₹7 LPA
  

• Experienced (3–5 yrs): ₹8 LPA – ₹15 LPA
  

• CFA/CMA-qualified analysts: ₹12 LPA – ₹25 LPA
  

• Investment banking: ₹20 LPA – ₹40 LPA

Conclusion

Becoming a Financial Analyst in 2026 is easier than ever if you follow the right steps—build your finance basics, get strong technical skills, pursue a global certification, take internships, and prepare for interviews.
With the right training and tools, you can achieve high-paying roles in India and abroad.

NorthStar Academy

If you want to become a job-ready Financial Analyst in 2026, NorthStar Academy offers CMA USA, CPA USA, ACCA & EA courses with placement assistance, live classes, updated study materials, and doubt support.

Start your finance career with the best institute for commerce students.

WhatsApp "Hi" to +91 8147470505 for Expert Guidance from NorthStar Academy.