Are you interested in joining the Allan Gray Investment team?

Are you curious about how Cartier sells jewellery to Chinese millionaires? Or how bauxite gets converted into aluminium? And whether people will still use petrol cars in 2040?

Working as an investment analyst gives you the opportunity to explore and discuss numerous questions like these.

We value listed companies by doing fundamental research. This typically involves reading annual reports, meeting management teams, visiting operations, studying competitors, and speaking with industry experts. The skills you will develop while doing this will be useful for any career in business.

Please read the FAQs below for more information.

What are we looking for in a candidate?

Our ideal candidate has two to three years of work experience – preferably not in investing. A finance-related qualification is not necessarily required; our past hires have included individuals with exemplary academic track records in physics, engineering, economics and molecular genetics.

You should be able to:

• Read a set of financial statements and be familiar with terms such as GDP, EBITDA and depreciation.
• Construct clear and logical arguments, sometimes involving calculations.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills.
• Show an interest in business and investing. We would expect you to be reading books about business in your spare time, listening to podcasts and so on.
• Demonstrate a curious nature and strong general knowledge.
• Use Microsoft Excel proficiently.

Why should I choose Allan Gray over a global consulting firm or investment bank?

The advantages of working for Allan Gray over these other paths include:

• The ability to make a meaningful contribution from your first month. At Allan Gray, you are encouraged to challenge the views of portfolio managers. Your reports will be debated by the entire Investment team and could lead to real investment decisions.
• Your work having real impact. It not only shapes actual investment decisions, but also contributes to the firm’s broader purpose: building long-term wealth for our clients.
• Full accountability for your own work. Rather than contributing to a larger document and watching senior colleagues present the outcome, you will take full ownership of your research reports.
• Fewer pressing deadlines. You will typically spend several months on a report, managing your own time with minimal micromanagement and reasonable working hours.
• Comparable or greater long-term earning potential, if you are successful.

What else should I know before applying?

The application process will take several hours of your time. It typically includes two rounds of interviews and a short, written research project. We realise this is a significant commitment and we thank you in advance for your effort.

If you are keen to join the Investment team, but unsure whether you have the required knowledge, we recommend reading some of the following literature before applying:

1. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
2. The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America
3. Politics and the English Language by George Orwell

We do not currently have any vacancies, but we are always open to applications from exceptional candidates. If you believe you are suitably qualified, please email your CV, along with copies of your matric certificate and university transcripts, to investment_careers@allangray.co.za.