Day in the Life of a Risk Analyst: Roles & Responsibilities

News and Priorities:

Most analysts begin their day by reading news and updates that affect their company.

• Market updates: For example, if a new government policy affects loans, an analyst checks which customers or projects will be impacted.
• Industry news: A sudden drop in the stock market may affect investments. Analysts study the effect and suggest what the company should do.

After checking news, they review emails and requests from managers or clients. Sometimes a sudden request changes the day’s plan. For example, a client may ask for a quick report on how a currency drop could affect their overseas investment. Analysts need to decide what to handle first and what can wait. Flexibility is very important.

• Team huddles: Many risk analysts attend short morning meetings to discuss tasks and priorities. These meetings ensure everyone knows what they are responsible for. Sometimes, clients or senior managers join to get updates on important risks. Analysts need to explain their findings clearly so everyone understands the situation.

Core Work: Data, Analysis, and Reports

A large part of a risk analyst’s day is working with data.

• Data analysis: They look at financial statements, market trends, or operational information to identify risks. For example, if a bank notices unusual customer activity, analysts check if it shows fraud risk or operational error.
• Stress testing: Analysts test “what if” scenarios, like how a sudden interest rate rise could affect the company. These exercises help companies prepare for problems before they happen.
• Contingency planning: After analysis, analysts suggest actions to reduce risk. For example, they may recommend adjusting investments or strengthening internal controls to avoid losses.
• Reports: Every finding is written in a report that explains the risk and the recommended solution. Reports include simple charts or explanations so that managers can understand quickly.
• Follow-ups: Analysts also check whether their advice has been implemented correctly. If a control was suggested last month, part of today’s work may include verifying its effectiveness.

Learning and Growing

Risk analysts never stop learning. They attend workshops, online training, and sometimes conferences to stay updated.
Example: Learning new software can make analysing large datasets faster. Keeping up with rules and market trends ensures their advice is always relevant.

Despite the work being demanding, analysts usually start around 8 am and finish by early evening. Urgent tasks may extend the day occasionally, but the variety in work makes it exciting. They see real impacts of their advice, from preventing financial loss to helping companies make smart investments.

For graduates or young professionals wanting to become risk analysts, practical training is important. The GRMI 1-year Post Graduate Programme in Risk Management (PGDRM) gives learners the skills needed to handle real-life situations, understand enterprise risk, and prepare for placements in finance, consulting, and corporate risk roles. Unlike other traditional courses, it teaches beyond financial risk, including analytics and consulting skills, helping students succeed in a one-year programme.