Investment Operations Analyst
Also advertised as: Fund Accountant, Fund Operations Analyst, Investment Operations Analyst, Middle Office Analyst, Settlements Analyst, Trade Support Analyst
Processes and reconciles trades so that investment funds settle accurately and on time.
What the job involves
Investment operations analysts sit behind the scenes of asset management and fund administration, making sure trades settle correctly and fund valuations are accurate. You work closely with fund managers, custodians and transfer agents, resolving breaks when records do not match. It is a common entry point into asset management for graduates and school leavers alike.
Typical responsibilities
- Process and settle trades across asset classes
- Reconcile positions between systems and custodians
- Investigate and resolve trade breaks
- Support daily fund valuations
- Liaise with custodians, brokers and transfer agents
Common employers
- Asset management firms
- Fund administrators
- Custodian banks
- Investment platforms
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£25,000 – £32,000 a year
With experience
£38,000 – £52,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours
Working environment
Office based, city finance hubs
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Numeracy
- Attention to detail
- Excel
- Financial markets knowledge
- Problem solving
Transferable skills you may already have
- Reconciliation or data checking work
- Working to strict deadlines
- Process-driven accuracy
Requirements employers ask for
- Numeracy
- Attention to detail
- Excel
- Financial markets knowledge
- Problem solving
- A-levels or a degree, depending on the employer
Useful but not essential
- Reconciliation or data checking work
- Working to strict deadlines
- Process-driven accuracy
- Investment Operations Certificate (IOC)
- Degree in finance or economics
Helpful qualifications
- Investment Operations Certificate (IOC)
- Degree in finance or economics
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Investment Operations Technician (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Economics
- Related subject: Maths
- Related subject: Finance
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Operations Analyst
next
Fund Accountant
next
Operations Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Good stepping stone into wider asset management
- Structured training and certifications available
- Steady demand in fund administration hubs
What people find hard
- Deadline pressure around market close and settlement
- Can feel process heavy day to day
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a investment operations analyst?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. preferred
- How much does a investment operations analyst earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £25,000 to £32,000 a year, rising towards £52,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Reconciliation or data checking work, Working to strict deadlines, Process-driven accuracy.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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