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- Combine knowledge of finance and economics with analysing skills to find new investment opportunities
- With experience and a good track record, become a stockbroker and progress to account manager or fund manager
- Requires analytical thinking, and excellent research, presentation, report writing, maths, and IT skills
As an investment analyst, you will give your opinion on economic trends in an industry or geographic region, and on whether investments are worth making.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Finding new investment opportunities
- Researching the financial performance of your target companies
- Keeping up to date with political and economic developments that may affect the financial markets
- Examining company accounts, analysing data
- Producing reports for fund managers and stockbrokers
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll work in an office.
You'll need
This role requires maths, economics, accounting and English language knowledge, analytical thinking skills, ambition and a desire to succeed, the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure, and for you to use initiative.
You'll need to pass background checks (DBS) and security checks.
You'll usually need at least a 2:1 degree. Most degrees are accepted, but accountancy, finance, business studies, economics and maths are particularly useful.
If you have a degree in a subject not related to business or finance it might help if you have a relevant postgraduate qualification, like a master's in business administration (MBA). Some companies also offer internship placements for university students to get experience before they graduate.
You can get this job through a senior investment and commercial banking professional degree apprenticeship. This is a level 7 qualification, equivalent to a master's.
Alternatively, you could start as a graduate trainee in an investment bank or a stockbroking firm. Trainees have to pass an exam recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which include the Investment Management Certificate (CFA Society of the UK), or Investment Advice Diploma (Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment).
Further tips for becoming an investment analyst include gaining knowledge of a specific industry for some jobs, such as in areas like energy, engineering or life sciences. You might benefit from knowing a language if you're working with overseas clients and markets (particularly French, German or Japanese).
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience and a good track record, you could become a stockbroker and progress to account manager or fund manager. You could also become a freelance investment consultant.