Accounting analyst

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An accounting analyst reviews a public company's financial statements, including the annual 10-K with the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and notes. They use accounting rules (usually GAAP, and sometimes IFRS) to understand and explain the company’s finances. They may work for a financial research firm or similar, evaluating how different accounting methods affect reported wealth. Typical qualifications include an accounting degree and professional credentials such as CPA, ACCA, or CA/ACA; many also hold an MBA with accounting. They can work in private firms, financial services companies, or government.