JourneyApprenticeshipsInvestment operations specialist

Investment operations specialist

Level 4 · HigherLegal, finance and accounting 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship

What it involves

The Investment Operations Specialist apprenticeship at Level 4 trains you to work in the middle and back office of investment banks, asset managers, custodians, and stockbrokers, ensuring that trades are settled accurately, assets are held safely, and investment portfolios are reported correctly. You will develop technical knowledge of financial instruments, settlement systems, and the regulatory environment for investment management. It leads to roles as a fund operations analyst, settlements specialist, and portfolio administrator, and supports the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) qualification.

On the job

What you’ll learn

Financial instruments - equities, bonds, derivatives, and collective investments
Trade lifecycle from execution through clearing to settlement
Custody, safekeeping, and corporate actions processing
Fund accounting, NAV calculation, and performance measurement
Regulatory requirements including MiFID II, CASS, and FCA rules
Reconciliation techniques for cash, stock, and position breaks
Risk and control frameworks in financial services operations
On the job

What you’ll do day to day

Process and confirm trade settlements across equity and fixed income markets
Reconcile cash and stock positions between internal and custodian records
Process corporate actions such as dividends, rights issues, and splits
Calculate or support NAV production for investment funds
Resolve settlement fails and breaks with counterparties and custodians
Produce and distribute investment operations reports for clients or management
Ensure all activities comply with CASS and FCA regulatory requirements
The deal

How this apprenticeship works

You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there

What you need to start

Level 4 (Higher) - roughly Foundation-degree level. Usually needs Level 3 (A-levels, a T-Level, or an Advanced apprenticeship) or relevant experience.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 5/6 apprenticeship or a more senior role.

Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.

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What it’s really like

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