Finance Associate Salary

Finance associates perform a variety of accounting and financial duties for their organization. They are responsible for coordinating budget preparation, program narratives, and projections. They assist managers with creation of financial proposals, as well as plan and execute analyses such as for operational and capital budgets. Finance associates create statistical reports based on costs analyses and other relevant information. As needed, they must provide effective business analysis on subjects determined by management. Finance associates also administer fixed asset accounts and capital expenditures, as well as contextualize preliminary analyses for their supervisor and assist with work flow improvements throughout their organization.

Finance associates must review accounting transactions and ensure their completeness and accuracy. These professionals also serve as a liaison to other departments for accounting-related matters, as well as identify discrepancies in documents and reports. They reconcile data in financial statements, run complex financial reports, and prepare basic management information records. Generally, finance associates present their progress to the finance manager in their department.

A bachelor's degree in accounting, economics, finance, or a related field is required for this position. Previous experience in a similar role may be preferred. Finance associates must work well with colleagues, as well as on their own with minimal supervision. They should be well organized and have advanced problem-solving skills, as well as be able to work in a fast-paced environment. These associates should also possess excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with supervisors and colleagues, and they must be proficient with basic financial software. (Copyright 2017 PayScale.com)

Finance Associate Tasks

• Collect and analyze data to assist in corporate financial decisions.
• Ensure compliance with standard practices and protocols within the industry.
• Identify and advise on new investment opportunities for the company.
• Assist in determining and negotiating the financial aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

Home to some of the best pay for Finance Associates, Dallas offers exceptional salaries, 78 percent above the national average. Finance Associates will also find cushy salaries in Chicago (+31 percent), New York (+27 percent), Seattle (+26 percent), and Los Angeles (+23 percent). Finance Associates in Columbus report much lower salaries than the rest of the country — 31 percent below the national average — proving that residence is a major factor in overall pay. Not at the bottom but still paying below the median are employers in Washington and Philadelphia (15 percent lower and 3 percent lower, respectively).