What does an investment analyst do?
An Investment Analyst provides research and information to help traders, fund managers and stock brokers make decisions about investments. They are hired by companies, investment trusts, stock trading and brokerage firms, and insurance providers.
Investment analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real investment analyst resumes:
- Update weekly liquidity stress report and utilize VBA and SQL to automate the process
- Manage and update early engagement processes daily through SharePoint.
- Manage trade executions and broker relationships for all portfolio positions across several banks, prime brokerage accounts and electronic commodities exchanges.
- Perform financial analyses including discount cash flow, leverage buyout, public market comparable trading and precedent transaction-base valuations
- Participate in the asset management valuation committee and provide management oversight to accounting, legal, and operations personnel.
- Used JAVA to develop trading spread calculator.
- Participate in contract oversight of MCERA's investment consultant to verify and validate contractor performance.
- Create in-depth reports on healthcare markets by identifying specific opportunities for potential investment by the firm.
- Develop and place into production a JAVA application to help analyze daily credit risk of borrowing companies.
- Head a project that involve the leveraged purchase, renovation, re-tenanting, and sale of a commercial retail strip.
- Research corporate activities using the Bloomberg database.
- Advance knowledge of financial modeling utilizing Microsoft VBA.
- Provide windows and application support for chemical engineers.
- Improve reporting inefficiencies by locating inaccurate SQL and excel formulas.
- Perform healthcare equity research as a consultant and publishing analyst.
Investment analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Investment Analysts are proficient in Portfolio Management, Financial Statements, and Strong Analytical. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Investment Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Portfolio Management, 7%
Designed and implemented portfolio management systems to monitor exposures and risks across asset classes in collaboration with the software development team.
- Financial Statements, 6%
Analyzed financial statements and created detail analysis of different industry and financial performance trends and how they compared to future projections.
- Strong Analytical, 6%
Demanded strong analytical and communication skills.
- PowerPoint, 5%
Developed executive PowerPoint presentations detailing investment performance.
- Real Estate, 5%
Managed Canada and Midwest region real estate portfolio; conducted lease renewal evaluation, analysis and identified exceptions to company standards.
- Risk Management, 3%
Monitor and recommend adjustment to portfolio construction including sector distribution, option strategies, risk management, and alpha generation.
Most investment analysts use their skills in "portfolio management," "financial statements," and "strong analytical" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential investment analyst responsibilities here:
Computer skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an investment analyst to have is computer skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts." Investment analysts often use computer skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "reviewed over 200 computer programs on bond analysis and portfolio management, and used selected bond valuation techniques. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling investment analyst duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments." According to an investment analyst resume, here's how investment analysts can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "designed training and conducted training for the cash management staff of 5 people on the investment portfolio return database. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for investment analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how investment analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an investment analyst: "help create cash management tool that allows centralized communication of subscriptions redemptions. ".
Detail oriented. A big part of what investment analysts do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to investment analyst responsibilities because "financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical investment analyst tasks: "detailed write-ups on company specifics and structure, financial analysis, company outlook, and industry specific analysis. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in investment analyst job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what investment analysts do. Investment analyst responsibilities rely on this skill because "financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities." You can also see how investment analyst duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "captained a dedicated research team responsible for providing both quantitative and qualitative due diligence on over 900 alternative investment managers. "
The three companies that hire the most investment analysts are:
- Professional Staffing Group172 investment analysts jobs
- Lincoln Financial Group107 investment analysts jobs
- The PNC Financial Services Group92 investment analysts jobs
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Compare different investment analysts
Investment analyst vs. Analyst internship
An analyst internship is a student program where an intern is assigned to assist analyst professionals by analyzing business goals, objectives, and needs. Analyst interns assist in the planning and designing of business processes and suggest recommendations for improvement. They conduct research and analysis to support business operations and resolve issues using systems and data. They also help estimate the costs and benefits of multiple business actions and help the business organization launch new initiatives.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an investment analyst are more likely to require skills like "powerpoint," "risk management," "portfolio analysis," and "securities." On the other hand, a job as an analyst internship requires skills like "management system," "python," "data entry," and "r." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Analyst interns really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $41,723. Comparatively, investment analysts tend to make the most money in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $103,872.analyst interns tend to reach similar levels of education than investment analysts. In fact, analyst interns are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Investment analyst vs. Corporate finance analyst
Corporate finance analysts make significant business decisions based on the data they gather. Typically, corporate finance analysts work within an organization and support management decisions through actionable financial information. They monitor the taxes, expenses, financial statements, and other financial details of where the company sources its income. This position requires a formal qualification in accounting. It also necessitates the analyst to develop interpersonal skills, knowledge in information technology software, financial reporting skills, and experience in management.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, investment analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "portfolio management," "financial statements," "powerpoint," and "risk management." Meanwhile, a corporate finance analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "hyperion," "reconciliations," "process improvement," and "variance analysis." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Corporate finance analysts earn a lower average salary than investment analysts. But corporate finance analysts earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $96,991. Additionally, investment analysts earn the highest salaries in the telecommunication with average pay of $103,872 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Corporate finance analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than investment analysts. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for investment analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Jarrad Harford Ph.D.
Professor of Finance, University of Washington
Investment analyst vs. Associate analyst
An associate analyst is an individual who is responsible for the research and investigation for a specific business process and department to help the senior staff make further decisions. Associate analysts must use their analytical skills to understand how the collected data can affect business decisions, then prepare reports that detail findings and recommend solutions. They must assist in developing new business models that can generate profits while reducing costs. Associate analysts can work in various industries ranging from finance and operations to information technology (IT) and marketing.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, investment analysts are more likely to have skills like "portfolio management," "risk management," "portfolio analysis," and "private equity." But a associate analyst is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "healthcare," "portfolio," and "tableau."
Associate analysts make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $88,076. On the other hand, investment analysts are paid the highest salary in the telecommunication industry, with average annual pay of $103,872.associate analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to investment analysts. Specifically, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Investment analyst vs. Junior is analyst
A junior IS analyst takes responsibility in making sure that databases are constructed appropriately and with access limits. IS analysts improve trading strategy with intermediaries through compensation information analysis. They handle financial claims payment as well as provider directory processes. Also, they develop dictionaries and provide technical support. They even perform due diligence for investment opportunities. The skills they need to have include management, information technology, and financial management.
Types of investment analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
