A person who prepares investigative reports on equity securities. The research conducted by the research analyst is in an effort to inquire, examine, find or revise facts, principles and theories. The report that this analyst prepares could include an analysis of equity securities of companies or industries.
If the research analyst is involved with an investment bank or a securities firm controlled by a member organization of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), he may be required to take certain exam(s).