Wealth Management Analysts

High School

In high school, take classes in business, economics, computer science, mathematics, English, and speech to prepare for a career as a wealth management analyst. Courses such as sociology, psychology, and science that help you to develop your research and critical-thinking skills will also be useful.  

Postsecondary Education

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in finance, mathematics, economics, business, financial engineering, or quantitative finance is required to work as a wealth management analyst. Some analysts have master’s degrees, typically in business.

Many banks and large wealth management firms have internship programs. For example, J.P. Morgan offers several summer analyst internship programs for college students who will enter their senior years the following fall. Participants receive hands-on experience and get the opportunity to learn more about J.P. Morgan and network with fellow interns and experienced colleagues.

Other Education or Training

Many professional associations provide educational opportunities to analysts to help them build their skills and, if they’re certified, to qualify for re-certification. For example, the American Bankers Association (ABA) offers online and in-person classes on topics such as investment products, asset allocation and portfolio management, minimizing fiduciary risk and litigation, and ethics. Those who have earned the association’s certified trust and financial advisor credential must complete 45 continuing education credits every three years. This requirement can be met by completing CE classes provided by the ABA or by other providers. Other continuing education classes, webinars, and workshops are provided by organizations such as Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, Association for Financial Professionals, CFA Institute, Chartered Alternate Investment Analyst Association, New York Society of Security Analysts, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, and Women in Insurance and Financial Services.

Many wealth management firms offer in-house educational opportunities that cover topics such as new tax legislation, ethics, emerging investment vehicles and opportunities, and career development.

Certification

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants offers a certificate in business accounting. The program has five components: fundamentals of management accounting, fundamentals of financial accounting, fundamentals of business mathematics, fundamentals of business economics, and fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance, and business law. Other certificate programs are provided by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (international auditing and international financial reporting) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (International Financial Reporting Standards). 

Many colleges and universities offer certificates in financial planning, accounting, finance, and related fields. Contact schools in your area for more information.