Investment analysts provide vital market information for salespeople, traders and clients. They analyse financial statements and projections and provide a broad range of analytical and research support to all the professionals within their group.
Investment banking analysts are expected to assume significant levels of responsibility requiring a high degree of maturity, self-confidence and technical aptitude.
Day-to-day responsibilities of an analyst include, but are not limited to:
- financial analysis and modelling
- company and industry research
- preparing client presentations and interacting with senior bankers and clients
Other duties could be to:
prepare clients’ proposals, supply advice on projects such as mergers and acquisitions, the process of selling of subsidiary business interests or investments, equity financing etc, analyze quantitative and qualitative data, do industry research, obtain knowledge of economic markets, interact extensively with other product groups within their firm to assist companies and institutions raise capital, grow and invest, assist in debt and equity underwriting, produce the information needed to make investment decisions, analyse companies’ annual results, write reports on potential investment sectors, research areas including share prices and companies’ abilities to pay back their debts.
Investment banking analysts usually specialise in one sector, which they get to know well, for example, energy, retail or financial services.
Satisfying Aspects
- prestigious and challenging career
- good remuneration
- interaction with a variety of clients and other professionals
Demanding aspects
- long hours
- intense concentration
- pressurised, demanding and stressful environment
Requirements
- a high level of numeracy
- strong analytical skills
- excellent communication skills
- good, clear writing style
- pay attention to detail
- persistent
- able to work under pressure
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics
Recommended Subjects: Accounting, Business Science, Economics
Training
Degree: BCom - most universities
Diploma: BTech and NDip Banking - UNISA
Most analysts are required to pass the Chartered Financial Analyst examination, a two- to three-year course administered by the CFA Institute.
Employer
- private accounting firms
- investment banks
- commerce and industry
- the academic world
- can be self-employed and act as a consultant
Contact
The Investment Analysts Society of Southern Africa
Tel: (011) 791-0105
Fax: (011) 791-0107
iassa@iafrica.com