How Do I Become a Technical Analyst?

In order to predict future performance, technical market analysts look at trends in the past performance of financial securities. These highly specialized individuals are trained to interpret numbers, charts, and graphs in order to develop projections or limitations for a specific stock or the broader markets. To work as a technical analyst, you’ll need an undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, or a closely related field, as well as a postgraduate degree in business or finance, such as a master of business administration (MBA). Following that, your career path will be largely determined the certifications you obtain and the employers you seek.

To become a technical analyst, you must first complete the necessary education and then pass the chartered financial accountant (CFA) exam. Financial firms and potential employers are well aware of this certification. It demonstrates a knowledge of financial markets as well as a grasp of the standards and ethics involved in any type of market analysis.

Once you’ve become a technical analyst, joining industry organizations and obtaining various levels of certification will help you keep your skills current and advance. The Market Technicians Association is a trade group that brings together financial professionals to network, discuss, and influence industry standards and direction. This particular organization provides technical analysis certification training for professionals. There are different levels of certification, and in order to pass the exams and earn the title of chartered market technician, participants must demonstrate some proficiency in technical analysis. Once you’ve become a technical analyst, certification should help you advance and gain more notoriety.

Professionals pursuing the chartered financial analyst certification will also receive technical analysis training. This inclusion in the financial analysis curriculum encourages the growth of the technical analysis sector of the financial services industry. Technical analysis entails not only observing patterns in stocks, but also in more complex financial instruments such as commodity and currency instruments.

Financial services is a massive industry with a diverse range of service providers. A technical analysis division may exist in large financial institutions, such as investment banks. These experts could provide assistance to other bankers who are making decisions based on market expectations. Consider working at an investment bank as part of your path to becoming a technical analyst, where you can influence the decisions of other market participants.