Preliminary Training

• Security analysts must have a bachelor's degree.Books image by lofik from Fotolia.com
  
  An aspiring security analyst must have a bachelor's degree in accounting, economics or financial management. A master's degree in finance is beneficial for supervisory roles. Courses in business mathematics, financial statement analysis, managerial accounting, statistics and technical writing are integral.
  
  

Specialization

• Security analysts specialize as buy or sell side specialists.wall street with flag image by Tomasz Cebo from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, security analysts must become either buy side or sell side specialists. Buy side security analysts work for hedge and mutual funds, insurance companies and nonprofit organizations. Sell side security analysts work for banks and brokerage firms.
  
  

Licenses

• Security analysts must pass the Series 7 Examination.profit/loss image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, security analysts must pass a 250 question multiple-choice test called the Series 7 Examination. Candidates must achieve a score of at least 70 percent.
  
  

Certification

• The Chartered Financial Analyst credential is the gold standard.gold medal image by eXodia from Fotolia.com
  
  The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute is a leading authority in the investment industry. The institute's website highlights a prime benefit of certification: "With a six-decade history of maintaining a rigorous focus on globally relevant investment knowledge, the CFA Program is the most widely known and respected investment credential in the world."