Financial Examiner

Your Fit

Income

$90K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

19.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Financial Examiner?

A Financial Examiner ensures compliance with laws governing financial institutions and transactions. They review balance sheets, evaluate the risk level of loans, and ensure that banks and financial institutions are operating in accordance with laws and regulations.

Sample job titles:

Bank Examiner, Bank Secrecy Act Anti-Money Laundering Officer (BSA/AML Officer), Credit Union Examiner, Examining Officer

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Financial Examiner.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Financial Examiner earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$53K per year	$67K per year	$90K per year	$127K per year	$172K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $41K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Financial Examiner do?

Work environment

Financial Examiners typically work in offices, often employed by federal or state government agencies, such as the Federal Reserve or state banking departments. Some may work for private firms. The job may involve travel to different financial institutions for audits and reviews.

Quick task list

Examines financial records and transactions to ensure compliance with laws.
Assesses the financial health of institutions to manage risks.
Reviews balance sheets, loan documentation, and other financial documents.
Prepares reports on the financial stability and compliance status of institutions.
Guides institutions on matters related to compliance and financial regulations.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Risk Scoping: Focusing on identifying and evaluating risks in financial institutions.
Consumer Compliance: Ensuring financial institutions comply with consumer protection laws.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML): Specializing in detecting and preventing money laundering activities.
Credit Examination: Assessing the soundness of an institution's lending practices.
Information Technology Examination: Evaluating the security and reliability of financial institutions' IT systems.

Description

Financial Examiners play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the financial system. They ensure that financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, comply with laws and regulations designed to protect consumers and promote financial stability. This involves reviewing balance sheets, assessing loan risk levels, and inspecting overall financial health.

Their work requires a deep understanding of financial laws, accounting principles, and the intricacies of financial institutions. Financial Examiners must be detail-oriented to identify issues that could be harmful to the stability of the financial system or detrimental to consumers. They often provide recommendations to financial institutions on how to improve their compliance and risk management practices.

This career demands strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as Financial Examiners need to interpret complex financial data and regulations. Communication skills are also important, as they must be able to clearly explain their findings and provide guidance to financial institutions.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the stability and integrity of the financial system.
The intellectual challenge of analyzing complex financial records and systems.
A sense of accomplishment from ensuring compliance and protecting consumer rights.

You might make a good Financial Examiner if you are...

Detail-oriented, with a keen eye for identifying discrepancies in financial records.
Interested in finance and law, and how they intersect to regulate financial institutions.
Analytical, capable of interpreting complex financial data and regulations.
Ethical and objective, with a commitment to upholding financial laws and protecting consumers.
A clear communicator, able to convey complex information effectively.

Pros:

Stable career with opportunities in both government and private sectors.
Intellectual challenge and continuous learning about finance and regulations.
The satisfaction of contributing to the overall health of the financial system.

Cons:

The work can be highly detailed and sometimes repetitive.
Requires staying up-to-date with frequent changes in financial laws and regulations.
Can involve pressure to meet deadlines and manage heavy workloads during audits.

How to become a Financial Examiner

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a related field is typically required, which involves about 4 years of post-secondary education. Additional training or certifications may be needed, depending on the specific role.

High school preparation

Courses:

Mathematics, particularly algebra and statistics, to develop strong quantitative skills.
Economics and business studies to gain a basic understanding of financial systems.
Government or civics to understand the role of regulations and law.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining a finance or economics club to get early exposure to financial topics.
Participating in debate or model United Nations to develop analytical and public speaking skills.
Volunteering for non-profit organizations to learn about fiscal responsibility and budget management.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field.
Consider internships with financial institutions or government agencies for practical experience.
Obtain professional certifications, such as Certified Financial Examiner (CFE) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), for advanced opportunities.

More resources

Society of Financial Examiners (SOFE) - Provides resources and certification information for financial examiners.
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) - Offers information on standards and practices for financial examiners.
American Bankers Association (ABA) - A resource for banking-related information, training, and advocacy.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) - Provides regulatory and compliance resources for the financial industry.

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