What does a Financial Analyst do?
Financial analysts study companies, markets and economic data to guide investment and business decisions. People who publish research reports on securities in India must meet SEBI’s research analyst rules, including NISM certification.
A financial analyst builds spreadsheets and financial models, reads company results, tracks markets and writes reports with recommendations for managers or investors.
In India financial analysts work in banks, mutual funds, brokerages, insurance companies, consulting firms and the finance teams of large companies.
How to get there
- Class 10Focus on Mathematics
- Class 11–12Take Commerce with Mathematics or Science with Mathematics
- UGComplete a B.Com, BBA or economics degree
- PG or certificationAdd an MBA in finance or a CA
- research analysts take the NISM Series XV exam
- First roleJoin as a junior analyst in a bank, fund or company finance team
- Subjects in Classes 11–12
- Mathematics, Accountancy, Economics, Commerce
- Streams
- Commerce, Science (PCM)
- Minimum education
- UG
Courses that lead here
Master of Commerce
M.Com is a two-year postgraduate degree in commerce covering accounting, finance, marketing, HR and international business.
Bachelor of Commerce
B.Com is a commerce degree covering accounting, business law, economics, finance and taxation. It is a common base for careers in accounts,…
Master of Business Administration
MBA is a two-year postgraduate degree in management with specialisations such as marketing, finance, HR, operations and analytics. It is open to…
Bachelor of Management Studies
BMS is an undergraduate management degree, best known at the University of Delhi, that covers management, statistics, accounting, economics, marketing and finance.
Bachelor of Business Administration
BBA is an undergraduate business degree that covers management, marketing, finance, HR and operations. Many universities now offer a three-year degree with…
Further study
Colleges for these courses
Dharma Samaj College
Gandhi Memorial National College, Ambala Cantt
Government College for Girls, Ludhiana
Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical and Social Sciences
Rajkiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Shimla
Shaheed Mangal Pandey Government Girls PG College, Meerut
Skills you need
- Accounting
- Economics
- Excel
- Financial modelling
- Report writing
- Valuation
It suits people who are
- Analytical
- Careful
- Curious
- Objective
Useful certifications
- NISM Series XV Research Analyst Certification - NISM (https://www.nism.ac.in/frequently-asked-questions-research-analyst)
Where you work and how you grow
Where people work
- Banks
- Mutual funds and brokerages
- Insurance companies
- Corporate finance teams
Growth path
- Junior analyst → Analyst → Senior analyst → Fund or portfolio manager → Head of research or finance
Frequently asked questions
Is NISM certification required?
NISM's FAQs say the Series XV exam is the required standard for associated persons registered as research analysts under the SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014.
How long is the NISM certificate valid?
Three years from the date of the exam
Sources
Information verified on 10 Oct 2026
- FAQs - Research Analyst, National Institute of Securities Markets · Official site, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- Scheme of examination and syllabi - Two Year MBA (Weekend) 2022-23, GGSIPU · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- B.Com (Hons) Semester I DSC syllabus (UGCF 2022), University of Delhi · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026
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