Investment Analyst

Typical Salary

£22,000 To £100,000

Typical Hours

36 to 38 a week

evenings / weekends away from home

How To Become a Investment Analyst

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
a graduate training scheme

College / University

You'll usually need a degree at upper second class or higher. Most degree subjects are accepted, but you may find these particularly useful:

economics
maths
business studies
accountancy
finance

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

a degree in any sub

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a senior investment and commercial banking professional degree apprenticeship. This is at level 7, which is equivalent to a master's qualification.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

You could start as a graduate trainee in an investment bank or a stockbroking firm. Trainees must pass an exam that is recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority. These include:

Investment Management Certificate from the CFA Society of the UK
Investment Advice Diploma through the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

maths knowledge
knowledge of economics and accounting
analytical thinking skills
knowledge of English language
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
ambition and a desire to succeed
persistence and determination
the ability to use your initiative
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

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

Working Environment

You could work in an office.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

You may find it useful to have knowledge of a specific industry for some jobs, for example experience in areas like energy, engineering or life sciences could be helpful.

Language skills, particularly French, German or Japanese, can also be useful if you're working with overseas clients and markets.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join organisations like the CFA Institute and Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an investment analyst from:

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass background checks
pass security checks