Have you ever saved up your pocket money to spend it on something you really like? You must have played the options in your head, using critical thinking, research, and mathematical skills to decide what to invest in. That is precisely what an Investment Analyst does, but at a larger scale and for their clients.
This blog will help you break into the lucrative finance industry with 4 simple steps on how to become an Investment Analyst, courses and top colleges for an Investment Analyst, and earning potential of an Investment analyst.
Who is an Investment Analyst?
An investment analyst advises fund managers and stockbrokers on investment strategies. They conduct market research by gathering data, analyzing various assets, and creating a financial model to make recommendations based on analytical reports.
Also know: How To Become An Indian Revenue System Officer
How to Become an Investment Analyst? (4-step Guide)
Step 1: Select a Stream
After completing 10th choose a commerce stream to pursue a career in Finance.
You can try out JrMBA in Finance to see whether you’re cut out for the exciting world of finance.
Step 2: Educational Qualifications
How to become an Investment analyst after 12th
Earn a Bachelor’s degree in a finance-related field such as Economics, Business, Banking, Finance, or Statistics. As an investment analyst, you would need to understand economic principles, conduct research, and create financial models and reports.
Undergraduate Courses In India
All the courses below are 3 years of programs for becoming an Investment Analyst or Financial Analyst.
- BCom in Banking & Finance
- BSc in Finance
- BCom Finance
- BBA Finance and Accounts
- Bachelor’s in Financial Market
- BSc in Economics
- Bachelor’s in Economics
- BBA in Business Administration
- BSc (Hons) International Business
- BSc in Accounting and Financial Management
Top 10 Colleges in India
College | Fees |
Christ University | ₹90,000 |
NMIMS | ₹2.1 Lakh |
SP Jain | ₹10.7 Lakh |
Presidency College | ₹3.7 Lakh |
Amity University | ₹1.90 Lakh |
Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce | ₹9.1 Lakh |
Mount Carmel College | ₹1.2 Lakh |
St.Xavier’s College, Mumbai | ₹2.3 Lakh |
RA Poddar | ₹13,000 |
Jai Hind College | ₹11,225 |
Undergraduate Course Abroad
Course to become Investment Analyst | Duration |
BBA | 4 years |
BSc in Finance | 4 years |
BS in Economics | 4 years |
BSc in Quantitative Finance | 4 years |
Financial Modeling and Valuation | 3 Years |
BSc in Accounting and Finance | 3 years |
Public Accounting | 4 years |
Business Administration- Finance | 4 years |
Top Colleges for Finance Abroad
- Harvard Business School
- Stanford University
- Wharton
- University of Oxford
- London School of Economics
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Cambridge
- University of California
- University of Chicago
- University of Melbourne
- New York University
- University of Pennsylvania
Step 3: Industry Certification
You are required to obtain an industry Certification to become an Investment Analyst like;
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
- Chartered Investment Banking Analyst (CIBA)
- Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)
- Chartered Investment Counsellor (CIC)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
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Also know about: How To Become An Investment Banker – Detailed Guide
Step 4: Job Preparation
- Internship
Apply for a finance internship with or without certification before applying for a job as an investment analyst.
You make your resume stand out by doing internships and make your future credible by having financial certifications and staying up to date on the current market and economic events so that you have strong knowledge and can better assist your clients or company.
- Portfolio Creation
Keep track of all your clients and projects you have worked on. It’s a plus if you have experience, and doing internships and freelancing will help you build a strong portfolio.
- Freelance
To start working as a freelancer it is important to build a network and advertise your offering on social media and find job opportunities for yourself. Consider pursuing a JR.MBA in entrepreneurship, which will help you hone your problem-solving, strategic, and analytical skills while also providing you with experience running your own business.
7 Skills to become an Investment Analyst
- Interpersonal Skills
- Confidence
- Research Skills
- Numerical Skills
- IT Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Analytical Skills
Salary of an Investment Analyst
Salary in India
Average salary of an Investment analyst in India is around ₹9,82,631 yearly.
Salary Abroad
Countries | Average Salary |
US | ₹76 Lakhs |
UK | ₹47.5 Lakhs |
Canada | ₹52.5 Lakhs |
Australia | ₹78 Lakhs |
Top Recruiters in India for an Investment Analyst
- Wipro
- Infosys
- Tata Consultancy Services
- Reliance Industries
- Tech Mahindra
- CRISIL
Top Recruiters abroad for an Investment Analyst
- J.P Morgan
- Goldman Sachs
- Citi Bank
- Accenture
- HSBC
- Bank of America
- Deutsche Bank
- ICICI
- Morgan Stanley
- Wells Fargo
- EY
- Barclays
- Deloitte
Becoming an investment analyst is not difficult, but it is necessary to devote time and effort to this endeavor. Investment analyst is a lucrative career for those interested in pursuing a career in finance. Although working as an investment analyst requires more time and effort than any other job in finance, it is one of the professions with the highest pay. We wish you all the best on your path to becoming an Investment Analyst.
FAQs related to how to become an Investment Analyst
How do I start as an investment analyst?
To become an Investment Analyst one needs to complete a bachelor’s degree related to finance and then take up a CFA course or enroll in an MBA finance program. You can test drive your finance career by enrolling in JrMBA in Finance.
What does the investment analyst do?
An Investment Analyst conducts research, develops financial models, and generates analytical reports and recommendations.
How do you become a certified investment analyst?
To become a certified Investment Analyst one must have cleared CFA or CIIA examinations without requisite work experience.
What skills do you need to be an investment banking analyst?
You need to have numerical ability to understand the financial standing of a company, and should have good research skills and an analytical mind.
What are the big 4 investment banks?
The big four investment banks are JP Morgan, HSBC, Deloitte, and KPMG.
What does an analyst do at Goldman Sachs?
Analysts in Goldman Sachs analyze the financial standing of the companies and help these companies to take better financial decisions.
How many analysts does JP Morgan hire?
JP Morgan hires roughly around 60-70 analysts although there are over 200,000 employees working for JP Morgan.
Is it hard to get a job at Goldman?
Yes, it is difficult to get a job at Goldman Sachs about 5000 people get hired out of million applicants.
How much do first-year analysts at Goldman Sachs make?
A first-year investment analyst at Goldman Sachs makes ₹87,97,580 a year.
How much do JP Morgan investment bankers make?
JP Morgan Investment analysts make around ₹20 lakhs initially and salaries can range up to ₹30 lakhs.
Is investment banking worth it in 2021?
Investment Analyst is a very progressive career and remunerative.