An investment associate reviews company financial data, suggests investment strategies, oversees issuing of stocks for companies, and analyzes risks for business mergers. This individual also mediates agreements between companies during takeovers, manages stock inventory, sells stocks, and details all financial transactions. In the course of these duties, an investment associate communicates a company's viability to other companies and individual clients. Working with other associates, supervisors, and managers, an investment associate spends many hours alone gathering and interpreting data for diverse clients. These professionals may work for banks, investment companies, and/or individual clients.Often possessing a master's degree in business administration, the investment associate must be able to understand complex financial situations and have a vast knowledge of investment products. They should also have a deep knowledge of state and federal investment laws and abiding tax shelters to ensure clients will be satisfied with each transaction. Highly refined analytical skills allow these professionals offer the best economic gain to their institution and/or individual clients while minimizing risks.This position often includes extended hours and meeting with clients outside of the office setting. The often fast-paced working atmosphere is sometimes tempered by slow periods. It is in these anticipated slower times that the effective investment associate reviews and oversees client portfolios for maximum return on given investments.