A regulatory analyst makes sure that businesses and financial institutions follow the rules that govern how they operate and conduct transactions. If a regulatory analyst works for the government, she is responsible for providing compliance advice and enforcing laws. An internal analyst is employed a company and is responsible for ensuring that the company’s business operations remain legal. Typical responsibilities include verifying financial records, scheduling audits and inspections of company records, and compiling financial reports for the company’s regulatory body.
The majority of a government analyst’s responsibilities are investigative in nature. A regulatory analyst examines major corporate mergers and acquisitions to ensure that they were completed legally. If such transactions or a company’s overall operations do not comply with established regulations, the analyst will usually provide detailed information on how the company can comply. Financial documents such as balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flows must also be reviewed to ensure that companies are financially solvent and to prevent tax or investor fraud. The regulatory analyst submits reports approving such transactions, verifying the financial stability of the business, or suggesting legal action after such investigations or reviews are completed.
A regulatory analyst is also required private companies. A person working in this field takes a proactive approach to ensuring a company’s regulatory compliance. To ensure that all aspects of business operations are adhered to, the analyst interprets existing or recently implemented laws and provides detailed summaries for company executives and department leaders. The analyst reviews all contract terms prior to major financial transactions to ensure that they comply with regulatory policies. If a government analyst reviews operations, the company analyst is usually in charge of providing necessary documents and cooperating with the investigation on the organization’s behalf.
An analyst typically needs a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, advanced mathematics, or a related field due to the nature of the job. Understanding financial markets and business principles can aid an analyst in comprehending a company’s operations and the nature of transactions in the industry in which it operates. During interviews or investigations into company finances, the analyst must also be able to effectively communicate through written reports and verbal exchanges. Finally, an analyst needs to be well-versed in the laws, regulations, and codes that govern financial regulation.