Finance and investment analyst or adviser - requirements

As a finance and investment analyst or adviser, you’ll be a natural researcher who uses their financial knowledge and communication skills to drive the decisions of investment companies and banks. Here you can find out more about working in this field to get a sense of what’s involved.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

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What qualifications do you need to be a finance and investment analyst or adviser?

A degree in an area directly related to finance and investment is ideal for working in this field. Subjects you might consider include:

Having a degree in another area could be useful depending on the sector you’re focusing on as an analyst or adviser, as it could provide you with useful industry knowledge.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a finance and investment analyst or adviser?

You don’t need a postgraduate qualification to work in this field, but it can help if you’re transferring from an unrelated academic background or competing for sought-after opportunities.

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include MAs in:

  • Finance and investment
  • Investment management
  • Banking, finance and risk management
  • Global finance and banking

What skills do you need to be a finance and investment analyst or adviser?

You’ll benefit from strong mathematical and financial knowledge in this role, along with communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure.

Hard skills usually include:
  • Finance
  • Accountancy
  • Investment practices
  • Financial laws
  • Data analysis
  • Audits and financial reports
Soft skills include:
  • Communication
  • Management
  • Sales
  • Research
  • Planning
  • Presenting
  • Resilience

Do you need work experience to be a finance and investment analyst or adviser?

Work experience is very valuable in this field as you’ll likely be applying to highly competitive internships or graduate opportunities. Getting any work experience or a placement within a financial institution, finance office, or other industries related to finance will help you stand out against other applicants.

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