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Exception Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Loan Exception Desk

Irvine, CA · On-site

$40K - $54K/yr

Summary The Loan Exception Desk is responsible for overseeing the review, analysis, and approval recommendation process for mortgage loan exception requests within the Company's Non-QM lending ...

Loan Exception Desk

Irvine, CA

$40K - $54K/yr

Summary The Loan Exception Desk is responsible for overseeing the review, analysis, and approval recommendation process for mortgage loan exception requests within the Company's Non-QM lending ...

Loan Exception Desk

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Summary The Loan Exception Desk is responsible for overseeing the review, analysis, and approval recommendation process for mortgage loan exception requests within the Company's Non-QM lending ...

Senior Investment Data Analyst

Atlanta, GA · Hybrid

$82K - $104K/yr

Support use cases related to anomaly detection, exception classification, root-cause analysis, data discovery, and workflow efficiency whereappropriate. Stakeholder and Vendor Collaboration * Build ...

Resolve account level and portfolio level issues and ensure exception volume and aging is ... Analyze transactional data to identify situations where actual results differ from expected results

Write complex SQL queries to support investigations and exception analysis. * Perform firm-level statistical analysis and produce management reports. * Develop automation tools for ticket management ...

Demand Analyst

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Conduct exception analysis related to demand shifts, forecast accuracy, and new product introductions * Support inventory analysis and strategy for finished goods and raw materials * Collaborate with ...

SAP VIM

$53.50 - $71.75/hr

Configuration of ICC, invoice processing, exception handling, approval procedures. * Analysis of ICC OCR extraction results in VIM to identify the root cause for invoice auto-posting failures.

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Exception Analyst information

See salary details

$38.5K

$104.8K

$130K

How much do exception analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for exception analyst in the United States is $104,779.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $129,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an exception analyst?

Exception Analysts are professionals responsible for identifying, investigating, and resolving discrepancies or anomalies in business processes, particularly in areas like finance, supply chain, or data management. They analyze exceptions—cases that deviate from standard procedures—to determine their causes and recommend solutions to prevent recurrence. Exception Analysts often use specialized software to monitor workflows, prepare reports, and collaborate with other departments to ensure accuracy and compliance. Their work helps organizations maintain efficient operations and minimize risks associated with errors or irregularities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an exception analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Exception Analyst, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a background in finance, accounting, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools, exception management software, and ERP systems like SAP or Oracle is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and the capacity to work under pressure distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for accurately identifying, investigating, and resolving discrepancies to ensure efficient business operations and minimize financial risks.

What are the most common challenges exception analysts face when investigating discrepancies, and how can they be addressed?

Exception Analysts often encounter challenges such as incomplete data, unclear transaction histories, and tight resolution deadlines. These can be addressed by developing strong attention to detail, proactively communicating with relevant departments to gather missing information, and utilizing specialized software to track and resolve exceptions efficiently. Building a collaborative relationship with IT, finance, and operations teams also helps streamline the investigation process and reduces bottlenecks.

What is the difference between Exception Analyst vs Data Analyst?

AspectException AnalystData Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field; certifications like CPA or CFA are commonUsually requires a bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, or related field; certifications like CAP or Microsoft Excel certifications are common
Work EnvironmentFinancial institutions, banks, or insurance companies focusing on transaction review and complianceVarious industries including finance, marketing, healthcare analyzing data trends and reporting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed mainly in finance and banking sectors for exception processingWidely used across industries for data analysis and reporting tasks

While both roles involve analyzing data, Exception Analysts focus on identifying and resolving transaction discrepancies within financial operations, often requiring compliance knowledge. Data Analysts have a broader scope, interpreting data to inform business decisions across various sectors. Understanding these differences helps job seekers target the right roles based on their skills and career goals.

More about Exception Analyst jobs
Infographic showing various Exception Analyst job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,779 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Loan Exception Desk

Irvine, CA • On-site

$40K - $54K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Summary   

The Loan Exception Desk is responsible for overseeing the review, analysis, and approval recommendation process for mortgage loan exception requests within the Company's Non-QM lending platform. This role serves as a key risk management function, balancing loan production objectives with portfolio performance, investor guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

The role requires strong credit judgment, deep knowledge of Non-QM lending, and the ability to structure solutions that support responsible lending while maintaining acceptable risk levels.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Credit Risk Management

  • Review and evaluate loan exception requests outside published underwriting guidelines.
  • Assess borrower creditworthiness using compensating factors and holistic credit analysis.
  • Evaluate credit, income, asset, collateral, occupancy, reserve, and documentation exceptions.
  • Make approval, decline, or modification recommendations based on risk-adjusted decision-making.
  • Establish consistent risk assessment methodologies across loan programs.
  • Ensure exception decisions align with company risk appetite and portfolio objectives.

Loan Review and Structuring

  • Analyze complex borrower scenarios, including:
    • Bank statement loans
    • DSCR loans
    • Asset utilization loans
    • Foreign national loans
    • ITIN loans
    • Jumbo Non-QM transactions
    • Investor property financing
  • Develop alternative structures to mitigate identified risks.
  • Collaborate with underwriting and sales teams to create viable lending solutions.

Policy Governance

  • Maintain oversight of underwriting guideline exceptions.
  • Identify emerging risk trends and recommend policy revisions.
  • Monitor exception volume, approval rates, and loan performance.
  • Participate in credit policy committee meetings.
  • Maintain detailed records supporting all exception decisions.

Leadership and Collaboration

  • Manage and develop a team of exception analysts and senior underwriters.
  • Provide guidance on complex credit scenarios.
  • Partner with:
    • Underwriting
    • Sales
    • Capital Markets
    • Secondary Marketing
    • Compliance
    • Quality Control
    • Servicing
  • Act as final escalation point for complex exception requests.

Reporting and Analytics

  • Produce and analyze exception tracking reports.
  • Monitor performance of approved exceptions against portfolio expectations.
  • Present exception trends and risk analyses to executive management.
  • Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for exception management.

Compliance and Audit Support

  • Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state mortgage lending regulations.
  • Support internal and external audits.
  • Maintain documentation supporting exception rationale and approvals.
  • Assist in preparation for investor, warehouse lender, and regulatory reviews.

Qualifications

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • DE, SAR, or equivalent mortgage underwriting certifications.
  • Experience working with private-label securitizations and institutional investors.
  • Background in portfolio lending or non-agency credit risk management.
  • Experience establishing and maintaining a formal exception approval framework.

 

Education and/or Experience   

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, or related 8+ years of mortgage underwriting, credit risk, or lending experience.
  • 5+ years of Non-QM mortgage experience.
  • 3+ years of management or leadership experience.
  • Significant experience with delegated authority and credit exception approvals