Editing Financial analyst (section)

==Qualification==
{{Further|Outline of finance#Education}}

===General===
In general,
<ref name="collegegrad.com" /> 
<ref name="Investopedia Career Path and Qualifications">{{Cite web |title=Quantitative Analyst: Career Path and Qualifications |url=https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/120215/quantitative-analyst-career-path-qualifications.asp |publisher=Investopedia |access-date=2023-11-26 |language=en}}</ref>
a [[Business education#Undergraduate education|business-related bachelor's degree]] majoring [[Bachelor of Accountancy|in Accounting]], [[Bachelor of Finance|in Finance]], or [[Bachelor of Economics|in Economics]] is a minimum requirement for an entry or junior role. Given the nature of the work, (some) proficiency in [[Microsoft Excel|Excel]] is typically a recommendation (and analysts may be expected to learn [[database]] software "[[On-the-job training|on the job]]");<ref name="corporatefinanceinstitute" /><ref name="Dahlquist" /> see further under [[Financial modeling#Accounting|Financial Modeling]].

With seniority, often, analysts are expected to earn an [[MBA]],<ref name="Dahlquist" /> having gained 2–3 years experience in the junior role. Increasingly, it is preferred that, even to enter, analysts hold a [[Master of Finance]] degree.<ref name="usnews">[https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/articles/2015/02/09/determine-if-a-masters-in-finance-is-the-right-move ''Determine If a Master's in Finance Is the Right Move''], [[usnews.com]], Feb. 9, 2015.</ref>

More [[Professional certification in financial services|specific qualifications]] may be required additionally:<ref name="collegegrad.com">[https://collegegrad.com/careers/financial-managers Financial Managers], collegegrad.com</ref>

* In (senior) financial management roles, a [[Professional accounting body|professional accounting certification]] – the [[Certified Public Accountant|CPA]], [[Chartered accountant|CA]], [[Certified Management Accountant|CMA]], or [[Chartered Institute of Management Accountants|CIMA]] – is [[Chief_financial_officer#Qualification|often a prerequisite]]; this, given the overlap with tax and financial reporting.<ref>[https://collegegrad.com/careers/top-executives Top Executives], collegegrad.com</ref>
* Risk managers increasingly require the [[Financial Risk Manager|FRM]] / [[Professional risk manager|PRM]], or an actuarial qualification such as [[Professional certification in financial services#Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary / Analyst|CERA]].<ref>[https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1505qj433jnpj/the-rise-of-the-chief-risk-officer The Rise of the Chief Risk Officer], ''[[Institutional Investor (magazine)|Institutional Investor]]'' (March 2017).</ref>
* Credit analysts in technical-roles [[Credit analyst#Education|may require]] these also (or at a minimum, [[Business mathematics#Undergraduate|specified math-credits]]);<ref name="investopedia.com">C. Morah (2021). [https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/09/career-credit-analysis-analyst.asp Analyzing a Career in Credit Analysis], [[investopedia]].com</ref> in [[Credit analysis#Role|commercial-lending roles]], an industry certification, such as the CBA from the [[National Association of Credit Management|NACM]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://learn.org/articles/How_Do_I_Become_a_Credit_Analyst.html |title=How Do I Become a Credit Analyst? |access-date=2016-07-07 }}</ref> may be specified.
* In [[treasury management]] roles, analysts often hold the [[Association of Corporate Treasurers#Membership|ACT]] or [[Certified Treasury Professional|CTP]] credential.<ref name="collegegrad.com" />

===Securities and Investment banking===
In securities and IB roles,<ref name="BLS1" /> it is lately preferred that, similarly, even to enter, analysts earn a Master of Finance or the [[Chartered Financial Analyst|CFA designation]]—in Europe, the [[Certified International Investment Analyst|CIIA]] also—with the MBA still common at senior levels.

Often, there are also regulatory requirements. For example, in the United States, sell-side or Wall Street research analysts must register with the [[Financial Industry Regulatory Authority]] (FINRA). In addition to passing the ''General Securities Representative Exam'' ([[Series 7 exam|Series 7]]), these candidates must pass the ''Research Analyst Examination'' ([[List of securities examinations#Registered representative level|Series 86/87]]) in order to publish research for the purpose of selling or promoting publicly traded securities.
For other jurisdictions, see [[List of securities examinations]].

For sector specialists—with approximately five years industry experience—less weight is placed on finance qualifications, as a relevant advanced degree or qualification in the field is often necessary.<ref name="Definitive Guide">[https://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/equity-research-recruiting/  Equity Research Recruiting: The Definitive Guide], Luis Miguel Ochoa</ref> (They will later be encouraged to earn the [[Chartered financial analyst|CFA]], CIIA, or MBA.) For example, [[Valuation (finance)#Valuing financial services firms|valuing financial service firms]] and  [[Valuation (finance)#Valuation of mining projects|valuing mining corporates]] requires specialized knowledge regarding their [[Business valuation standard|valuation-]], regulatory-, and [[accounting standard]]s; and, respectively, qualifications in [[actuarial science]],<ref>[https://www.actuarialsociety.org.za/career-paths-actuaries/ Career Paths for Actuaries]</ref> and [[mining engineering]] or [[Geologist|geology]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Inside the World of the Mining Analyst |url=https://www.investec.com/en_za/focus/beyond-wealth/inside-the-world-of-the-mining-analyst.html |website=Investec.com }}</ref> will then be required. [[Outline of industry|Other sectors]] may similarly require specific technical qualifications: e.g. [[Bachelor of pharmacy|in pharmacy]] / [[life sciences]] for [[:Category:Life sciences industry|"bio-tech"]];<ref>[https://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/biotech-equity-research/ Biotech Equity Research], Brian DeChesare</ref> in [[electronic engineering]] for (some) areas in "[[high tech]]" (e.g. [[semiconductors]]).<ref name="Definitive Guide" />

Many large teams will also include a [[Certified Public Accountant|CPA]] or [[Chartered Accountant|CA]] in a dedicated technical role.  (In [[Commonwealth of Nations|the Commonwealth]], the CA qualification is often sufficient to access (junior) analyst roles.<ref>See e.g. [https://www.saica.org.za/initiatives/competency-framework/pathways-to-relevance/career-paths "Career Paths"] as discussed by [[South African Institute of Chartered Accountants|SAICA]]</ref>) Banks often also recruit analysts with [[Qualified accountant|accounting qualifications]] to the middle office roles. The economics team is usually [[Chief economist|led]] by a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in the discipline, while a [[Master of Economics|masters in economics]] is the typical requirement to join the team.