What Do Investment Analysts Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for investment analysts?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what investment analysts do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Investment Analysts Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about investment analysts by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Investment Analysts conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.
Popular Job Titles For Investment Analysts
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Financial Analysts
- Pricing Analysts
- Financial Planning and Analysis Analysts
- Finance Analysts
- Treasury Analysts
- Accounting Analysts
- Financial Reporting Analysts
- Portfolio Managers
- Financial Systems Analysts
- Investment Analysts
- Financial Planning Analysts
- Pricing Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for investment analysts can be found.
Best Industries for Investment Analysts
Investment Analysts Jobs By Industry
- Other Financial Investment Activities: 14.1%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 12.3%
- Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage: 11.5%
- Depository Credit Intermediation: 8%
- Insurance Carriers: 5.4%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 4.6%
- Other: 44.1%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of investment analysts can be found working in the Other Financial Investment Activities sector. In 2023, about 14.1% of all jobs for investment analysts were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (12.3%), Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (11.5%), Depository Credit Intermediation (8%), Insurance Carriers (5.4%) and Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (4.6%).
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What Do Investment Analysts Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what investment analysts do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work investment analysts do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that investment analysts tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for investment analysts, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Investment Analysts
Based on 191,857 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Investment Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | 115,926 | 60% |
| Accounting | 104,385 | 54% |
| Financial Analysis | 85,691 | 45% |
| Financial Statements | 49,944 | 26% |
| Auditing | 32,331 | 17% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Investment Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 94,922 | 49% |
| Communication | 86,886 | 45% |
| Microsoft Excel | 74,254 | 39% |
| Forecasting | 58,541 | 31% |
| Operations | 57,855 | 30% |
Based on 191,857 job postings related to investment analysts, finance was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 60% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for accounting, financial analysis, financial statements, auditing and financial modeling were also highly sought.
As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for investment analysts, followed by communication, microsoft excel, forecasting, operations and leadership.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | 115,926 | 60% |
| Accounting | 104,385 | 54% |
| Financial Analysis | 85,691 | 45% |
| Financial Statements | 49,944 | 26% |
| Auditing | 32,331 | 17% |
| Financial Modeling | 32,291 | 17% |
| Investments | 27,975 | 15% |
| Project Management | 27,677 | 14% |
| Economics | 27,559 | 14% |
| Data Analysis | 25,845 | 13% |
| Process Improvement | 23,158 | 12% |
| Financial Planning | 22,796 | 12% |
| Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | 19,139 | 10% |
| Marketing | 18,415 | 10% |
| Financial Data | 17,877 | 9% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 15,822 | 8% |
| SAP Applications | 15,523 | 8% |
| Variance Analysis | 14,829 | 8% |
| Corporate Finance | 14,816 | 8% |
| Month-End Closing | 14,465 | 8% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 94,922 | 49% |
| Communication | 86,886 | 45% |
| Microsoft Excel | 74,254 | 39% |
| Forecasting | 58,541 | 31% |
| Operations | 57,855 | 30% |
| Leadership | 54,755 | 29% |
| Detail Oriented | 53,182 | 28% |
| Problem Solving | 47,057 | 25% |
| Budgeting | 46,763 | 24% |
| Research | 42,640 | 22% |
| Planning | 42,448 | 22% |
| Presentations | 40,029 | 21% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 39,892 | 21% |
| Writing | 38,120 | 20% |
| Microsoft Office | 37,328 | 19% |
| Sales | 36,173 | 19% |
| Analytical Skills | 30,636 | 16% |
| Self-Motivation | 28,116 | 15% |
| Customer Service | 28,104 | 15% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 27,451 | 14% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Investment Analysts
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Analysts | 96,068 | 53.5% |
| Pricing Analysts | 10,675 | 5.9% |
| Financial Planning and Analysis Analysts | 11,176 | 6.2% |
| Finance Analysts | 9,262 | 5.2% |
| Treasury Analysts | 6,589 | 3.7% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was financial analysts, with 41,433 unique job postings. Pricing analysts were second, with 4,055 postings, followed by financial planning and analysis analysts, finance analysts and treasury analysts.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to investment analysts.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Analysts | 96,068 | 53.5% |
| Pricing Analysts | 10,675 | 5.9% |
| Financial Planning and Analysis Analysts | 11,176 | 6.2% |
| Finance Analysts | 9,262 | 5.2% |
| Treasury Analysts | 6,589 | 3.7% |
| Accounting Analysts | 6,783 | 3.8% |
| Financial Reporting Analysts | 4,598 | 2.6% |
| Portfolio Managers | 4,032 | 2.2% |
| Financial Systems Analysts | 3,810 | 2.1% |
| Investment Analysts | 3,785 | 2.1% |
| Financial Planning Analysts | 2,793 | 1.6% |
| Pricing Managers | 3,567 | 2% |
| Fiscal Analysts | 2,163 | 1.2% |
| Business Development Analysts | 2,419 | 1.3% |
| Financial Management Analysts | 2,087 | 1.2% |
| Financial Data Analysts | 1,750 | 1% |
| Financial Business Analysts | 1,818 | 1% |
| Finance Business Analysts | 1,810 | 1% |
| Portfolio Analysts | 2,330 | 1.3% |
| Revenue Cycle Analysts | 1,977 | 1.1% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for investment analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for investment analysts.
How much do investment analysts make?
Investment Analysts: How do you become one?
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