menu iconmenu
share iconsearch

Risk Analyst

Financial institutions are required by law to constantly manage market and credit risks. Risk analysts identify and analyse the areas of potential risk threatening the success of organisations such as investment and commercial banks. They are responsible for predicting change and future trends, as well as forecasting costs.

There are high degrees of specialisation within the profession. Risk analysts may work in sales, trading, marketing, financial services or private banking, specialising in credit, market, operational and regulatory divisions.

If you are interested in a career in risk analysis, visit Qualifax (www.qualifax.ie) to search for relevant courses at all levels and entry points.

Some alternative job titles for this role

  • Investment or Financial Risk Manager
  • Risk Technician
  • Risk Surveyor
  • Credit Analyst

How your career can develop

Risk analysis offers many opportunities to specialise. Credit risk specialists are in demand among banks as banking oversight regulations become more and more stringent. Regulatory risk analysts are also much sought after.

Why it matters?

Risk analysts have recently been warning of the knock-on global effect on growing insecurity and decline in the Chinese economy.

Skills

  • Excellent maths skills
  • IT skills
  • Communication skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Teamworking skills
  • Expertise in finance and the markets
  • Ability to communicate ideas via reports and presentations, outlining findings and making recommendations
  • Ability to use complex modelling techniques

Typical employers

  • Financial houses
  • Investment banks
  • Exchanges such as Irish Stock Exchange
  • Treasury departments of major companies
  • Hedge funds
  • Treasury departments of large companies

Typical salary

  • Graduate/Starting      €35,000
  • Senior/Potential        €90,000

Typical qualifications

Potentially open to all degree disciplines, though employers tend to prefer numerate and business-related subjects. Postgraduate degrees may aid career development.

Alternative routes to a bachelor’s degree in this area may apply to students that have a PLC qualification in a related course. For further details on eligibility requirements for third level entry following a PLC qualification, students should visit the CAO course search at Careersportal.ie.

Further information