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Finance & accounting

Stockbroker

Stockbrokers manage their clients' investments by trading stocks, shares and other financial products to get the best return.

Annual Salary

£24,000 to £125,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

50 to 60 a week

You could work: early mornings; flexibly

2.9%
Future employment

There will be 2.9% more Stockbroker jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role you couldresearch financial markets and the latest trading figures; work closely with investment analysts; generate new business and develop close relationships with clients; manage and review client portfolios; give advice on risks; instruct stock market traders, to achieve the best market prices; meet profit, new business and retention targets; keep up to date with tax and financial legislation

Working environment

You could work in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme
University

You could start by doing a degree in a relevant subject like:

  • management
  • business
  • economics
  • finance
  • maths

A course with a placement year or a summer internship will give you valuable experience and an advantage when applying for work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job through an investment specialist higher apprenticeship or financial services professional degree apprenticeship.

You will take professional exams as part of these apprenticeships and at the end you will be able to apply for membership of the relevant professional body.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct application

You could move into stockbroking if you have a experience in accountancy, banking or insurance and take further training on the job.

Other routes

You can apply for a place on a company's graduate training scheme if you have a degree. You'll usually need at least an upper second class degree to apply. Useful subjects include:

  • business management
  • economics
  • finance
  • maths

There's a lot of competition for places, so it'll help if you have some relevant work experience.

Many graduates also have a postgraduate qualification like a master's in business administration.

More information

Career tips

You may find it useful to gain professional qualifications from organisations like CFA Institute and Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

Skills in a second language can also help you to find a job.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in stockbroking from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and the Chartered Financial Analysts Society UK.

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With experience and a good track record you could progress to become a trader, relationship manager or fund manager.

You could also become a partner or set up your own business.

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and the Chartered Financial Analysts Society of the UK (CFA Society UK) have information on jobs and training.

You'll need to be registered as an 'approved person' by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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