Financial analysts evaluate investment opportunities, analyse company performance, and make recommendations to investors or corporate management. Investment bankers advise companies on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising. In South Africa, major banks (Standard Bank, FirstRand, Absa, Nedbank, Investec) and asset managers (Allan Gray, Coronation, Ninety One) are major employers.
Financial analysts build financial models in Excel, analyse company accounts and market data, prepare investment research reports, attend management presentations, and present recommendations to portfolio managers or clients.
Mathematics (Level 5+), English (Level 5+), Accounting recommended
Use the free Career Helper APS Calculator to calculate your exact score for each SA university.
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- Stellenbosch University (SU)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Programme names and requirements vary by institution. Always verify directly with the university before applying.
Achieve APS 32+ with Mathematics and strong marks. Study BCom Finance, BBusSci (UCT), or BCom Financial Management at a leading university.
Complete internships at banks or asset managers during your degree. Pursue the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) qualification — the global gold standard for investment professionals.
Graduate into a graduate programme at a major bank or asset manager. Progress from analyst to associate to portfolio manager or investment director over 5–10 years.
What degree do I need to become a financial analyst?
What do financial analysts earn in South Africa?
Is Mathematical Literacy accepted for finance degrees?
Salary ranges are indicative for South Africa 2026 based on market data. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and experience.