the best fee structure and overall cost to the client for the service that will be provided. The project controller helps determine the optimal price to charge the client in order to retain profit at the end of the engagement. Qualification Although there are no formal qualification criteria, project controllers usually have graduate level training in project management or finance such as MSF or MBA degrees, or are qualified accountants (i.e. CIMA, CCA, ACCA, CGA, CMA, or CA designation). "Industry experience" is often a pre-requisite and so controllers often have undergraduate degrees in related fields. Also, many analysts originally enter this domain through their practice as consultants or accountants and so a very wide range of qualifications is common. In some firms, it is (additionally) preferred that analysts earn a professional certification such as the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, or the Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA) designation. However, professional designation is rarely a requirement, and many have reached the peak of the profession without ever sitting for the CFA or the CIIA exam. Basic analytical skills, and strong numerical skills are necessary and a proficient understanding of and experience with Microsoft Excel is usually required. See also Accounting analyst Financial services Financial Analyst Further reading Lehman bust highlights analyst "group-think disease", Elinor Comlay, reuters.com, Sep 10, 2009 The Changing Role Of Equity Research, investopedia.com What To Know About Financial Analysts, investopedia.com References Business occupations