Key points
- The work of an economist in Albania is divided into three main areas: analysis, internal finance, and external consulting.
- In small and medium-sized businesses, the economist often also handles accounting, payroll, and tax reporting.
- The Certified Accountant title is a separate license and does not automatically come with a degree in economics.
- Many businesses choose a subscription-based external economist instead of a full-time employee.
- The ability that separates a good economist from the average one is reading the numbers, not producing them.
Verified on October 11, 2026. The licensing framework was compared with Law No. 25/2018. Finance and Accounting, source page
The work of an economist in Albania is different from the academic description of the profession. In practice, few economists engage in macroeconomic forecasting. Most work with the figures of a specific business.
This article describes what an economist actually does at an Albanian business, what skills are required, and what career paths exist.
Read also: The work of an accountant
Three career paths
| Direction | What does it include? |
|---|---|
| Analysis and planning | Budgeting, sales forecasting, cost analysis, management reports |
| Internal finance | Cash flow, relationship with the bank, control of receipts and payments |
| External counseling | Accounting, payroll, tax filings, and tax consulting for multiple clients at once. |
In large businesses, these three areas are handled by different people. In small and medium-sized businesses, which make up the majority of the Albanian market, they are handled by the same person.
What do you really do during the month?
Work follows the tax calendar more than any other plan. The sales and purchase book by the 11th, the VAT return by the 14th, the payroll and contributions by the 20th.
Between these deadlines comes the work that creates value: account reconciliation, margin analysis, collections tracking, and decision preparation. The full calendar is on our website. calendar and deadlines.
Required skills
- Recognition of the applicable tax framework, not as text, but as a term and consequence.
- Working with spreadsheets and financial systems, including billing and payroll programs.
- The ability to explain a figure in simple language to someone who is not an economist.
- Take care of the document, because in taxes what's proven is what counts, not what actually happened.
- Professional integrity, because the economist sees everything and is trusted.
Qualifications and licenses
A degree in economics opens the door, but it does not confer a professional title. The Certified Accountant designation is a separate license with its own requirements, and not every economist has it.
For certain parts of the work, such as statutory audits, additional licenses are required. The division of roles is explained in our article on the work of an accountant.
The internal economist and the external economist
For a business with ten employees, a full-time economist is often not justified by the workload, but the need remains.
Therefore, the model of the external economist with a monthly subscription has spread. The business gets the same work, with predictable costs and without dependence on a single person. What this model includes is explained on our page. prices.
Every time there is a tax or financial change that affects your business, we notify you directly by email with a practical explanation.
Send me free notificationsFrequently asked questions
Are an economist and an accountant the same thing?
No. Accounting is only part of an economist's job. An economist also handles planning, analysis, and financial decision-making.
Is a license required to work as an economist?
Not for the internal work of a business. The certified accountant title and statutory audits require separate licenses.
How long does it take to become independent in your profession?
Usually two to three years of actual work with a tax calendar and year-end closings. You learn the theory quickly; the deadlines, not so much.
A profession isn't measured by the number of statements filed. It's measured by the decisions a business makes better because someone explained the numbers to it in a timely manner.
Previous description of the profession
Job Description
The ability to organize research work, understand the financial market, and present economic statistics are specific traits that a professional seeking employment as an economist must possess. An economist must use economic theories and knowledge to provide specialized advice. The professional must study economic data and statistics in order to uncover economic relationships and trends within the company/organization. As economists, you need to organize frequent research tasks and, through them, gather the necessary information to provide solutions to future problems. Information is usually collected to facilitate the implementation of the economic plan, as well as to produce and forecast the company's/organization's latest economic trends, which helps the economist find and provide appropriate recommendations in order to improve business efficiency. By using your skills in computer programs for statistical analysis, you will be able to present economic findings in the desired manner, through which you can advise important institutions such as organizations or government agencies to make the right economic decision. You also have the opportunity not only to forecast but also to advise agencies that provide economic consulting, large companies of various types, banks, financial institutions, higher education institutions, and investment interest groups.Profilometers
- Economics analyst
- Agricultural economist
- Economist, finance, and bank
- Human Resources Economist
- Economist for management
- Marketing Economist
- Economist for unemployment benefits (economic treatment of the unemployed)
- Economist for customs policies
- Economist for pricing policies
- Tax Economist
- International Trade Economist
- Tourism Economist
- Economist
- Economic advisor
- Economist, insurance damage assessor
Skills
You need to prove that you have:
- Very good skills in research work development, as well as skills in extracting and analyzing important data
- Skills in organizing statistical information
- Very good written and oral communication skills
- Ability to build productive relationships with colleagues and to work in a team
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to work alone under time pressure
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to manipulate and optimize various tasks
- Genuine interest in economics
- Self-confidence and motivation
- Good computer skills
The ability to speak several foreign languages will undoubtedly be an advantage for you, especially for those who aim to develop their careers abroad. In general, competition for positions in this profession is fierce, and candidates should generally apply in the fall, as this is the period when companies recruit staff.
Responsibilities
Your field of research is broad and can cover any aspect of economic and social policy, ranging from interest rates, taxes, and employment levels to energy, healthcare, transportation, and international development.
The duties of an economist generally include:
- Creation of new methods and procedures for data acquisition
- Understanding a variety of sampling techniques to use and applying different types of economic plans
- Creating a series of techniques for economic modeling
- Understanding and interpretation of data
- Analyzing data to prove the efficiency of current policies, products, or services
- Explanation of the research methodology and justification of conclusions drawn from research data
- Providing economic advice to a range of interested groups
- Assessment of past and present economic problems and their development trends
- The presentation of a series of technical and non-technical reports on economic trends and forecasts to inform the media and the public
- Presenting a set of written or oral information to non-economic audiences to understand if they are able to properly perceive the decisions made by the company/organization.
Work on specific projects includes:
Tasks in specific projects
- Economic impact assessment of national events, such as sports matches
- Analysis of job creation potentials for domestic projects and investments
- Analysis of the efficiency of scarce resources in large organizations
- Analysis of the company's performance, in relation to advising fund managers or potential clients on investments
- Economic impact analysis of infrastructure development
- Advising the government, employers, or trade unions on the economic implications they have achieved
- The realism of research on the global economy, thus influencing international economic organizations and forums
- A study on the impact of exchange rates on Albania's productivity and international trade.
Qualifications
Entry into this profession is possible with an economics degree (Bachelor's or Master's), or a degree that includes the following combinations: Economics with Finance, Economics with Law, Economics with Management, Economics with Mathematics, Economics with Politics. All those who wish to pursue a career in this profession must have completed at least a study program equivalent to economics and have obtained excellent preparation in modules such as microeconomics and macroeconomics. It would be an advantage for you to have an “honors degree,” meaning you were excellent, as this will allow you to enter this profession in a shorter time, of course, after completing internships and postgraduate qualifications. Remember, your grades can still influence some employers even after you have gained experience, so pay attention.Professional expectations
You will work primarily in an office under a defined dress code (this type of work requires conservative attire: a shirt, a business suit, and serious shoes for men, while for women it's mainly a conservative skirt, low-heeled shoes, and a blouse). Self-employment or independent work is sometimes an option, but only after you have gained the necessary experience and expertise over the years. Usually this job relies on recommendations, so before you take the step you should have built some contacts and a good reputation. Tirana is the country's largest financial and economic center and as such offers you many opportunities in this field, but economist positions are also available in other cities in the country. Opportunities to work abroad also include positions in the diplomatic service. The job can be very stressful at times, as you will need to complete several projects on a short deadline. There will be many occasions when you will need to travel abroad to meet clients or colleagues for your business. These trips also include conferences or training sessions, both at home and abroad, which are very common.Work hours
Working hours are usually stable, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You should know that extended hours after work are by no means excluded when the workload can be heavy and the deadline to complete it is short. However, overtime is better paid, so in most cases it's worth the sacrifice. Working part-time or with flexible hours is also possible, especially when you're working in the civil service.How much can I be paid?
One of the most valued professions, not only in the country but also abroad, is that of an economist. If there is a job position without which a company cannot move forward, it is the economist's. They hold the business plan, the profits and losses of the latter in their hands, thus being primarily responsible for the rise or fall of a company, which is why the monetary valuation is also relatively high.
The salary of an economist varies from 55,000 lek in months for all those who are not professionals, are taking their first career steps, and until 73,800 lek per month for those who are experts in the field.
However, your salary also depends on the size and nature of the company you work for.
The revenue figures presented above are intended as a guide only.
Professional development
Training programs for economists are on the rise, and this is increasingly impacting employers. The more you've participated in training sessions and conferences, the more likely an employer is to consider you for the job, since they see you as a professional who seeks additional knowledge and expertise.
Meanwhile, if we talk about young economists, they need to develop the knowledge gained in the classroom by applying it on the job, under the guidance of experts in the field.
Recently, online courses or seminars have also become a very good option, as they carry the same weight as conferences or trainings you attend in a physical setting.
Skills such as the ability to give presentations or write economic reports are common requirements for some employers, so starting to train in these two areas can make you more confident and qualified for a specific job.
You need to be constantly studying new methods of economic planning and more, because that way you can maintain a high-level qualification. Being a qualified professional isn't easy, but you can't exactly call it difficult either. If you haven't had the opportunity to undergo training earlier for various reasons, today many employers are encouraging their economists to enroll in courses that offer diplomas and certificates important for the specialist's future.
There are times when employers themselves help you find such courses, even offering you study leave. Depending on the organization, economists are usually encouraged to join professional associations.
As with all professionals, economists are expected to be motivated to continue their professional development and to stay informed about the latest developments in the field of economics.
Work experience
Try to become a member of various industrial associations to demonstrate your interest in economics and at the same time establish the right professional contacts. Gaining work experience, especially in economics departments, will improve your employment prospects and can help you climb the career ladder.Career/Outlook
Career development for economists varies from organization to organization; no two economists have the same professional background, so they are divided into levels, with level one comprising field experts and level three comprising junior economists. Primarily, it is first-level economists who have the greatest advantage in applying for and joining fast-track development programs, which directly help advance their economic, managerial, and communication skills. If you are a young professional with excellent skills, you can benefit from these programs, so don't be discouraged—it all depends on each person's desire and will. Even promotion is directly tied to your skills. If you deserve it, you can quickly move into the role of economic advisor, which is currently recognized as the highest position in this profession. On the other hand, you have the opportunity to develop your own professional expertise, network, and skills by occasionally changing the sectors you work in, or by working independently. this not only opens up new opportunities and adds to your resume, but it can also lead to a more varied and interesting career path. Who are the employersEconomists can be employed in both the public and private sectors. There are many associations in the country that offer internship opportunities for young economists.
Internships at the Ministry and the Bank of Albania
Ministries are also open to interns, so take advantage of them, as they give you the opportunity to work and learn how specific departments function in the country's most important institutions.
Don't forget the main environment for an economist, the Bank of Albania, which offers a certain number of places for students who wish to complete internships at this institution.
Other employers are:
- Various departments in state institutions
- Privatized enterprises
- Rural development agencies
- Higher education institutions
- Economic consulting
- Banks
- Insurance and accounting firms
- Syndicates
- Political parties
- International organizations such as: the European Commission, USAID, etc.
- Financial magazine and newspaper
Are you looking for a job as an economist? AlProfit currently has two open positions: Accountant and Senior Accountant. You can find the open positions and how to apply at Career page.
Read also: Finance & Accounting.
