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Financial Quantitative Analysts

O*NET files this work under Financial Quantitative Analysts: people who develop quantitative techniques to inform securities investing, equities investing, pricing, or valuation of financial instruments. The skills rated most useful are mathematics, critical thinking, and reading comprehension. One core duty is to apply mathematical or statistical techniques to address practical issues in finance, such as derivative valuation, securities trading, risk management, or financial market regulation. With a code of ICE, this is mostly a job for people drawn to research, analysis and working through hard problems. Conventional interests also help, rated 5.8 out of 7. Getting in usually takes graduate school and often five years or more of related experience, a level O*NET calls extensive preparation. It tends to suit people who want research, analysis and working through hard problems, and it offers little for anyone seeking helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • Apply mathematical or statistical techniques to address practical issues in finance, such as derivative valuation, securities trading, risk management, or financial market regulation.
  • Research or develop analytical tools to address issues such as portfolio construction or optimization, performance measurement, attribution, profit and loss measurement, or pricing models.
  • Interpret results of financial analysis procedures.
  • Develop core analytical capabilities or model libraries, using advanced statistical, quantitative, or econometric techniques.
  • Define or recommend model specifications or data collection methods.
  • Produce written summary reports of financial research results.

Skills

  • Mathematics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Speaking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on mathematics and critical thinking.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.6 out of 7 here.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ICE takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Master's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Investment Portfolio Control Consultant
  • Investment Strategist
  • Portfolio Manager
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Quantitative Equity Analyst

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.