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Investment analyst

Alternative titles for this job include

Investment analysts help stock market traders, stockbrokers and fund managers make decisions about investments.

Average salary (a year)

£28,000 Starter

to

£75,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40

You could work

evenings / weekends away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a graduate training scheme

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

If your degree is not related to business or finance, you can do a postgraduate qualification like a master's in business administration (MBA).

A course with a placement year or a summer internship will give you valuable experience and an advantage when applying for work. Your university careers service can help you with this.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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 subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Investment Operations Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, with a bank or regulator, or investment and financial services company.

You could also join a Senior Investment and Commercial Banking Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship, depending on your experience and qualifications. This is equivalent to a postgraduate award.

These normally take up to 2 years to complete. You will sit professional exams as part of the apprenticeship. At the end, you will be able to apply for membership of the professional body that covers your role.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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:

More Information

Career tips

You may need in-depth knowledge of a specific industry for some jobs, for example experience in energy production, engineering or life sciences.

Business language skills 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:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • analytical thinking skills
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • customer service skills
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an investment analyst, you could:

  • find new investment opportunities for clients
  • research the financial performance of your target companies
  • keep up to date with political and economic developments that affect the financial markets
  • examine company accounts
  • analyse data
  • produce reports for fund managers and stockbrokers
  • make sure all work meets strict financial regulations
  • track fluctuations in investment types, like commodities, bonds and cryptocurrencies

We've identified this as a potential green job

For an investment analyst to be a green job, you could advise clients on:

  • the benefits of sustainable investment over the longer term against short-term deals
  • backing companies that value their environmental and social responsibilities
  • financing opportunities in emerging technologies, like renewable energy generation

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and a good track record, you could become a stockbroker and progress to account manager or wealth fund manager.

You could also become a freelance investment consultant.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an investment analyst right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming an investment analyst?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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