Job, internship and network in management and finance

Presentation

As an investment analyst, you will research and provide both information and investment ideas to fund managers. Fund managers will then be able to make decisions relating to the investment portfolios they manage. You may work either for investment management companies (you will give information to in-house fund managers) or for stockbrokers and investment banks. The main UK investors are pension funds, investment trusts, unit trusts, banks and major companies…

Description

Activities may vary according to the employer. The understanding of financial information (company accounts, sector data, economics, statistics…) is their essential target of work. Their second goal is to develop expertise in interpreting information and what it implies as far as investment decisions are concerned.
Essentially, an investment analyst will:
1) analyse financial information within a company. This financial information can be the company’s results as well as its profit and loss and cash flow statements
2) interact with the management of the companies and their investor relations team either on the phone or in-person
3) keep up to date with all the factors that may affect the markets such as market developments, new investment products and consider the economic implications of unforeseen and uncontrollable events such as weather
4) present and recommend as to which funds should be included in fund managers’ portfolios
5) keep an eye on the financial news using specific media tools in order to write more relevant research reports and investment ideas (which will be sent to clients afterwards)
5) make sure that the compliance regulations are met
6) remain connected to clients by phoning, emailing and physical contact

Education

All graduates can apply for this position. However, it is highly recommended to have a degree in either statistics, economics, accounting or mathematics. Given that an investment analyst may work in various sectors (energy, pharmaceuticals…), additional skills related to the targeted sector can increase your chances to be hired.
Employers usually require a 2:1 or a first. Most employers can also require a minimum of 300 UCAS at A-level. Even though a Masters can increase your chances, being postgraduate is not mandatory.
As any position, students are recommended to have a previous work experience in a financial institution. Some financial companies use summer internships to pre-select graduate recruits. Beware students! Competition is high…

Skills needed

Grades needed

As an investment analyst, you will be required to:
1) be able to research, analyse and evaluate
2) be able to work under pressure (deadlines…)
3) have strong written and oral communication skills
4) be self-confident and tenace
5) be interested in current affairs and appreciate their impact on the market
6) be have a teamwork spirit
7) be self-efficient
8) have an entrepreurial mind
9) pay good attention to detail

Salary range

For entry-level graduate positions: £28,000 - £40,000 in London, with possible bonuses of 20%. Salaries are usually lower in other UK locations.

After 5-8 years of experience: £65,000 - £100,000