Investment analyst

Career path and progression

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.

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
• persistence and determination
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass background checks
• pass security checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Mathematics - Investment analysts work with numbers constantly – calculating returns, analysing financial ratios, and building models to forecast how investments might perform. Strong maths skills are essential for interpreting data, understanding risk, and spotting patterns in market trends.
• Economics - Investment analysts need to understand how economies work, including interest rates, inflation, trade, and government policy, because all of these directly affect financial markets. They track political and economic developments daily to assess how these might impact the value of investments.
• Accounting - Investment analysts examine company accounts to assess whether a business is financially healthy and worth investing in. Understanding balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow reports is a core part of their research process.
• Business - Investment analysts research how companies operate, compete, and grow within their industries. Understanding business strategy, market positioning, and how organisations are structured helps them judge whether a company is likely to be a good investment.

Also relevant

• English Language - Investment analysts produce detailed written reports for fund managers and stockbrokers, explaining their research findings and recommendations. Being able to communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively is an important part of the role.
• Politics - Investment analysts keep up to date with political developments – such as elections, trade agreements, and regulatory changes – because these can significantly move financial markets. Understanding how political decisions affect economies helps them anticipate risks and opportunities for investors.
• Modern Foreign Languages - Investment analysts who work with overseas clients and international markets benefit from language skills, particularly French, German, or Japanese. Being able to communicate with foreign contacts and read international financial reports gives them an edge in global investment research.
• Computer Science - Investment analysts increasingly use programming languages like Python or R to build financial models, automate data analysis, and process large datasets. Understanding algorithms and computational thinking helps them work more efficiently with the vast amounts of market data they handle.
• Law - Investment analysts must ensure their work meets strict financial regulations set by bodies like the Financial Conduct Authority. Understanding legal frameworks around securities, compliance, and market conduct helps them operate within the rules that govern the investment industry.