Analyst

When a financial reporting analyst performs external reporting, it usually is for tax purposes. Regulatory agencies supported by government might request audits, in which case financial reporting analysts are responsible for gathering requested statements. They also prepare financial intelligence for individuals such as shareholders and investors who have interest in an organization's performance.

There are generally two main types of quantitative analysts. While some quants deal with statistical models, others work on mathematical models. Since both of these areas require a large set of skills and expertise, it is rare that a quantitative analyst will be skilled at both.

The job of an environmental analyst is to study and analyze environmental issues to develop solutions for them. Using scientific methods, he/she will do research and gather data about a particular problem, such as water pollution in a certain area. The analyst must have a solid understanding of statistics, mathematics and scientific concepts, as he/she is responsible for developing models that can be used to make recommendations on how to reduce the pollution.

The basic role of the chemical analyst is to design, set up and carry out chemical experiments and analyses. He/she must also operate and maintain lab equipment, prepare chemical reagents to exact specifications and carry out other support tasks in addition to designing experiments. In addition to laboratory work, the chemical analyst will also spend a good portion of their time writing reports and scientific papers, analyzing data and using computers to design or model experiments.

Chemical analysts can work in a wide range of different jobs. In industry, they might be involved in quality control, testing products or packaging for structural and chemical integrity on an ongoing basis. Another industrial role for chemical analysts is monitoring pollution levels to ensure that emission levels are within acceptable limits. In medicine, the related field of biochemistry has a role in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Forensic chemistry relates the field to law enforcement, using the principles of chemistry to provide information that can be used as evidence in criminal investigations.

In some cases, financial reporting analysts look at greater issues, such as market behaviors and business environments. These analysts can act as consultants at the executive level. They might encourage company decision makers to start making certain products depending on market trends. It might also be the job of an analyst to predict demand and profit margins in new markets. Executives commonly hire analysts from outside their organizations for this kind of service so they can receive objective analysis.

A financial analyst is responsible for making recommendations about investments and money-saving strategies. Most work for large corporations, but some also work for individuals or families, particularly those with a lot of money to invest. Their main job is to study the client's assets to look for different ways of growing them and making even more money. In most cases analysts do not actually do any investing themselves but they do a lot of research so that clients will have all the information they need to make their own financial decisions. An analyst may make recommendations but he/she rarely if ever actually executes any transactions.

In the banking industry, quantitative analysts support sales functions and trading by developing models that manage stocks and bonds. This provides the bank with a solution to problems with market prices and other issues. To develop such models, today's quantitative analysts often utilize alpha generation platforms. These are software programs that use an automated algorithmic system that allows a quantitative analysts to analyze many different strategies and solutions all at once.