Financial and Investment Analysts

Overview

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Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Accounting software
Intuit QuickBooks
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Business intelligence and data analysis software
Tableau
Charting software
TickQuest NeoTicker
Configuration management software
Perforce Helix software
Customer relationship management CRM software
Salesforce software
Data base management system software
Teradata Database
Data base reporting software
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
Data base user interface and query software
Yardi software
Development environment software
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
Document management software
Microsoft SharePoint
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Workday software
Enterprise system management software
IBM Power Systems software
Expert system software
NeuroSolutions for MatLab
Financial analysis software
Wolfram Research Mathematica UnRisk Pricing Engine
Human resources software
Human resource management software HRMS
Information retrieval or search software
Ward Systems Group NeuroShell Trader
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Object or component oriented development software
R
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Process mapping and design software
Microsoft Visio
Project management software
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Sales and marketing software
Marketo Marketing Automation
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer data input scanners
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
10-key calculators

Detailed Work Activities

  • Advise others on business or operational matters.
  • Analyze business or financial data.
  • Identify strategic business investment opportunities.
  • Evaluate condition of properties.
  • Confer with others about financial matters.
  • Collaborate with others in marketing activities.
  • Analyze risks related to investments in green technology.
  • Advise others on financial matters.
  • Present work to clients for approval.
  • Determine the value of goods or services.
  • Develop business relationships.
  • Create images of data, locations, or products.
  • Apply mathematical models of financial or business conditions.
  • Assess financial status of clients.
  • Analyze market conditions or trends.
  • Assess risks to business operations.
  • Analyze industry trends.
  • Prepare contracts or other transaction documents.
  • Develop financial or business plans.
  • Present business-related information to audiences.
  • Purchase products or services.
  • Recommend investments to clients.
  • Update professional knowledge.
  • Train personnel to enhance job skills.
  • Supervise employees.

Interests

Conventional
80%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Enterprising
73%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Investigative
73%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Social
33%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Artistic
26%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Realistic
15%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Colleges

SAGE Scholars Member Schools that offer majors leading to this career.

Alverno College
Milwaukee WI
Benedictine College
Atchison KS
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA
Morningside University
Sioux City IA
Oakland City University
Oakland City IN
Point University
West Point GA

Check out the College Search to see the full list of schools with majors for this career.