Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Financial Examiner Professional certification, although not required, indicates competency for financial examiners who have it. Financial examiners typically need a bachelor’s degree that includes some coursework in accounting. Entry-level examiners are trained on the job by senior examiners.
Education
Financial examiners typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. A degree in business or a related field is common. Coursework should include accounting, finance, or related subjects.
Training
Once hired, financial examiners receive on-the-job training. Entry-level workers learn their job duties while supervised by senior examiners. The length of training varies but typically lasts more than 1 year. Advancement After a few years of experience, financial examiners may advance to a senior examiner position. Senior examiners handle more complex cases and may lead examination teams. Requirements for these positions vary, but employers often prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in either accounting or business administration or who are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Although it is not required, professional certification indicates competencies for financial examiners who have it. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Some financial examiners become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). CPAs are licensed by their state’s Board of Accountancy. Becoming a CPA requires passing a national exam and meeting other state requirements.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of financial examiners is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,500 openings for financial examiners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Demand for these workers has risen, particularly in the financial industry, because of the need for banking institutions to comply with federal regulations. These institutions are expected to continue to hire financial examiners to help navigate the regulatory environment and reduce the cost of compliance. Financial Examiners Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Financial examiners 9% Financial specialists 4% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Financial Examiners Do
Financial examiners ensure compliance with laws that govern institutions handling monetary transactions. They review balance sheets, evaluate the risk level of loans, and assess bank management.
Duties
Financial examiners typically do the following:
- Monitor the condition of banks and other financial institutions
- Review balance sheets, operating income and expense accounts, and loan documentation to confirm an institution's assets and liabilities
- Prepare reports that detail an institution’s safety and soundness
- Examine the minutes of meetings of managers and directors
- Train other examiners in the financial examination process
- Review and analyze new regulations and policies to determine their impact on an institution
- Establish guidelines for procedures and policies that comply with new and revised regulations
Financial examiners typically work in one of two main areas: risk assessment or consumer compliance.
Those working in risk assessment evaluate the health of financial institutions. Their role is to ensure that banks and other financial institutions offer safe loans and that they have enough cash on hand to manage unexpected losses. These procedures help ensure that the financial system as a whole remains stable. These examiners also evaluate the performance of bank managers.
Financial examiners working in consumer compliance monitor lending activity to ensure that borrowers are treated fairly. They ensure that banks extend loans that borrowers are likely to be able to pay back. They help borrowers avoid “predatory loans”—loans that may generate profit for banks through high interest payments but may be costly to borrowers and damage their credit scores. Examiners also ensure that banks do not discriminate against borrowers based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Financial examiners held about 70,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of financial examiners were as follows:
| Credit intermediation and related activities | 44% |
| Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities | 15 |
| Federal government | 10 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 8 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 7 |
Financial examiners typically work in offices. They frequently have to travel to inspect a bank onsite.
Work Schedules
Most financial examiners work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Financial examiners need to evaluate how well the managers of financial institutions are handling risk and whether the individual loans the institution makes are safe. Detail oriented. Financial examiners must pay close attention to minutiae when reviewing balance sheets in order to identify risky assets. Math skills. Financial examiners must do calculations and monitor balance sheets to ensure that a financial institution has available cash. Writing skills. Financial examiners regularly write reports on the safety and soundness of financial institutions. They must be able to explain technical information clearly.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about financial examiners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.