Financial and Investment Analysts Career

*A job as a Financial and Investment Analysts falls under the broader career category of Financial Quantitative Analysts. The information on this page will generally apply to all careers in this category but may not specifically apply to this career title.

Job Description for Financial Quantitative Analysts : Develop quantitative techniques to inform securities investing, equities investing, pricing, or valuation of financial instruments. Develop mathematical or statistical models for risk management, asset optimization, pricing, or relative value analysis.


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Financial Quantitative Analyst Career

What skills are required for Financial Quantitative Analysts?

Importance Skills
  Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
  Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
  Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

What knowledge is needed to be a Financial Quantitative Analyst?

Importance Knowledge
  Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Work Styles

Importance Styles
  Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
  Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
  Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
  Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
  Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
  Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
  Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
  Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
  Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.