Stockbroker Apprenticeship

Stockbroker Apprenticeship

Stockbrokers buy and sell stocks, shares, and other assets on behalf of private and business clients via a stock exchange or over the counter in exchange for a fee or commission.

As a stockbroker, you will manage and supervise your clients’ assets, acting as a liaison between them and the stock market.

Stockbrokers must manage existing clients while simultaneously pursuing new business.

Stockbroking is a regulated financial service activity, and you must be licenced by the Financial Conduct Authority to advise on and deal in securities (e.g. stocks and shares).

Responsibilities

Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:

  • research 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.

Salary

  • Apprentice brokers in a large bank can expect to be offered a base salary of around £24,000.
  • In more boutique investment companies in London, salaries for junior brokers start from £40,000 plus a bonus on top of the base.
  • Experienced stockbrokers can earn base salaries of between £100,000 and £150,000, often with significant bonuses and commission.

Salaries vary depending on experience, success, the kind of organisation you work for, and the duration of your employment. However, the sector often gives substantial incentives for attaining specific targets.

Benefits include health and travel insurance, private medical treatment, gym membership, travel expenses, professional body membership costs, tuition and exam fees, and study leave.

Working hours

You will typically work 50 to 60 hours per week.

Long days are to be anticipated, with the average day lasting from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is to cover the global financial markets opening. (From 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., the London Stock Exchange is open.)

You will most likely work odd hours to maintain communication with consumers in different time zones. In addition, some companies may need you to go internationally regularly, and you may be away from home several nights each week.

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Qualifications

Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice stockbroker include:

  • Level 4 Investment Operations SpecialistEntry requirements for this level include 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship. This qualification will take 18 months to complete.

Skills

On a stockbroker apprenticeship, you’ll learn:

  • 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.

Employers

Employers include large and small specialised brokerage businesses, financial houses, and banks.

Although many companies are situated in London’s City, there are possibilities accessible in major locations around the United Kingdom. Brokerage businesses have offices in various locations, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham.

The Financial Conduct Authority must approve almost all financial services activity in the United Kingdom.

Professional development

All UK stockbrokers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and you must register with the FCA as an ‘authorised person’.

As an apprentice stockbroker, you will learn on the job alongside certified stockbrokers. In addition, you will study for industry-recognised certifications.

Many employers will pay for the course and exams, provide study time, and support your membership in a professional body.

Employers may provide workshops and seminars as part of on-the-job training. Financial markets and legislative and regulatory reforms are among the topics covered in the courses. Firms also organise events and workshops to facilitate networking.

As your career progresses, you may pursue advanced professional certifications such as the CISI Chartered Wealth Manager Degree, a postgraduate-level specialised qualification, or the CFA Program, a Masters-level qualification offered by the CFA Institute.

Career prospects

After you complete your training, you will be ready to handle larger client portfolios. There will then be possibilities to take on the leadership of a larger team.

Experienced stockbrokers may apply for account, relationship, and fund management opportunities. You can establish your own brokerage firm or become a partner in your present job with additional experience. A partner will work with a clientele of high-net-worth people, gaining additional prestige and privileges.

Successful stockbrokers with the right combination of skills and experience may make high salaries and large bonuses and commissions.

Updated on November 13, 2022

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