OVERVIEW
What is an Impact Investing Analyst?
An impact investing analyst evaluates investment opportunities based on both financial and impact considerations. They’re responsible for conducting research, analyzing data, and measuring the social and environmental impact of potential investments.
In comparison to traditional investing, which focuses solely on generating financial returns, impact investing takes a more holistic, often philanthropic approach. In traditional investing, utility or benefit comes from consumption, not investment. In impact investing, utility or benefit to an investor varies depending on the investment's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact along with its inclusion impact.
To become an impact investing analyst, most employers expect you to hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Relevant experience in finance, data analysis, or a related field is also typically required. Future impact investing analysts should also focus on developing strong analytical skills, excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for creating positive impact is important to perform successfully in this role. In order to be successful in this role, Impact investing analysts often need to explain complex financial and impact data to a variety of stakeholders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an Impact Investing Analyst Do?
Impact investing analysts support day-to-day impact measurement and management work. This includes supporting annual impact data collection and analysis and contributing to annual impact reports. Impact investment analysts are responsible for:
- Supporting deal sourcing and initial evaluations.
- Performing detailed due diligence on potential impact investments, including impact forecasting, management, and product, market, and financial analysis.
- Helping refine back-end investment infrastructure through nurturing co-investor networks of like-minded funds, accelerators, and corporates.
- Conducting sector and industry analyses to help sharpen investment focus.
- Helping review and manage a portfolio of global, high-impact ventures using innovations in philanthropy to solve pressing social and environmental challenges.
- Analyzing and distilling portfolio findings.
Where Does an Impact Investing Analyst Work?
Impact investing analysts can work in a variety of settings, including larger companies, organizations, and investment agencies. The need for impact investing analysts is becoming increasingly important as more companies and organizations recognize the value of investing in socially and environmentally impactful ventures.
The demand for impact investing analysts is growing across a range of industries and sectors as more organizations seek to integrate impact investing into their investment strategies. As a result, there are many opportunities for impact investing analysts to work in a variety of settings and make a positive change through their work.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an Impact Investing Analyst?
Becoming an impact investing analyst requires a combination of relevant education and work experience. It’s required that aspiring professionals in this field earn a bachelor's degree in finance or economics, but candidates with MBAs are typically preferred by employers. Since the role of an impact investment analyst is not entry level, applicants should first work or intern in finance, data analysis, or similar positions in the financial industry.
To become an impact investing analyst, you can follow these steps:
1. Earn a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field. This will provide you with a foundational understanding of finance, accounting, and investment analysis.
2. Get an internship in finance to gain relevant skills and learn about investing. This will give you practical experience and help you develop skills in financial modeling, data analysis, and investment analysis. If you are particularly interested in creating a positive impact in your career, consider seeking a role within a philanthropic foundation.
3. Earn a master's degree in finance or an MBA. This advanced degree will provide you with a deeper understanding of finance, investment analysis, and impact investing and will make you more competitive in the job market.
4. Apply for an entry-level job in finance. Some examples of entry-level positions include financial analyst, investment analyst, research analyst, data analyst, junior portfolio manager, and operations analyst. Working in any of these roles can help you gain the skills and experience you need to eventually become an impact investment analyst. Look for opportunities with organizations that are committed to galvanizing change, such as impact investment funds, philanthropic foundations, or impact-driven companies.
Specialized certifications can also help you accelerate your career in impact investing. Organizations such as the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) offer certification programs for impact investing professionals. There are also many courses and workshops available on topics such as impact measurement and management, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable finance.
Best Degrees for a Impact Investing Analyst
Business
Finance – B.S.
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant...
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant industry skills.
- Time: 62% of graduates finish similar programs within 24 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 41 courses in this program
Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Management
- Accounting
- Finance
- Spreadsheets
- Financial Analysis
- Problem Solving
The competency-based model at WGU allows you to move as quickly as you can master the material, and do your coursework on your schedule. Flexibility is key with the B.S. in finance at WGU.
Business
Accounting – B.S.
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?...
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 24 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 41 courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Financial Statements
- Communication
- Detail Oriented
- Research
Take your first step toward CPA certification and learn how to use GAAP, ledgers, and journals.
Business
Accounting – M.S.
Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private...
Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private accounting positions:
- Time: 62% of grads finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10-11 total courses in this program
This program offers 4 unique specializations for students to choose from, allowing you to gain specific experience and skills that will help you in your career. Choose from concentrations in taxation, auditing, management accounting, and financial reporting to boost your résumé.
Skills for your résumé that this program will prepare you for:
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Tax Planning
- Financial Management
- Communication
- Data Analysis
- This MAcc program is designed to prepare you for the CPA exam and also the CMA or CIA exams.
How Much Does an Impact Investing Analyst Make?
$49,153
Glassdoor reports that impact investment analysts or associates earn $49,153 per year on average. The top 25% of earners make between $63,000 and $83,000 per year. Salaries for impact investing analysts can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and place of work.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
5%
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% growth rate for financial and investment analysts, including impact investing analysts, from 2019 to 2029, which will result in 54,350 new jobs.
The BLS attributes this growth to the increasing demand for financial analysis and economic advice as businesses seek to make more informed investment decisions and improve their financial performance. In addition, the growing interest in sustainable finance and impact investing is expected to create new opportunities for impact investing analysts in the coming years.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an Impact Investing Analyst Need?
Being an impact investing analyst requires a unique set of skills and abilities that combine financial analysis with social and environmental impact assessment. Impact investment analysts must:
- Enjoy data analysis and writing: An impact investing analyst must be comfortable working with data, conducting research, and analyzing information. They should be able to communicate findings effectively through clear and concise writing.
- Be proficient in Excel, relational databases, and data visualization tools: These professionals should have strong technical skills, including proficiency in tools such as Excel, Airtable, Power BI, Salesforce, and other databases and visualization tools to collect and analyze data.
- Remain open to different perspectives and learning new methods of analysis: Impact investing demands a diverse range of perspectives, and analysts must be open to learning new methods and working with various stakeholders throughout their career.
- Possess skills in prioritizing competing demands: A skilled impact investing analyst can juggle competing priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively with teams that have varying priorities and perspectives.
- Be intellectually curious and ready to take risks: Impact investing requires creativity, innovation, and a willingness to think big in pursuit of mobilizing change. As such, professionals in this field should be intellectually curious, able to generate new ideas, and willing to take calculated risks.
- Have a “can-do” attitude and be focused on implementing solutions: An impact investing analyst has a positive, solution-focused outlook, works collaboratively with others, and remains committed to achieving positive social and environmental outcomes through their work.
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