Prop Trader Onboarding (2024)

Proprietary Trading Groups
Welcome Center

IBKR offers trading, clearing, custody and reporting with no long-term contract required.

This page provides information and resources to help you configure and customize your account, onboard, and manage clients, fund accounts, subscribe to market data, run reports, trade and more.

Getting Started

Configuring Account

Account Security

Configuring Market Data

Trade Your Account

Other Features

Support Resources

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Getting Started

Portal serves as a one-stop destination for managing accounts, viewing account balances, P&L and key performance metrics, funding accounts, reporting, and more. Portal is always available from the Login button on our website.

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Log In

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Configuring Your Account

User Access Rights

Once your account is approved and opened, your organization's security officer(s) can create and add users to an account, manage user access to account trading, reporting, funding, and settings, and configure client-specific access.

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Account Funding

The Transfer & Pay menu in Portal provides resources to let you transfer funds, transfer positions, and check transaction status and history. Additionally, you can submit withdrawals for both your master account and sub accounts.

Our website provides an overview of funding methods available to clients.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Prop Trading Account Structure

IBKR offers Proprietary Trading Group accounts for corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and unincorporated legal structures.

Organization Account

A single trading account with one or more users. Multiple users can view and modify other traders' activity.

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Separate Trading Limit Account

Multiple, linked accounts all in the name of a single entity. Assets in all accounts are owned by the entity account holder. Each account has its own trading limits and can have its own trading strategy.

Master, sub accounts and users are part of the same legal entity.

Funds are deposited in the master account and transferred between the master and sub accounts to control individual trader limits.

Initial margining is determined for each individual account, while maintenance margining is determined at a consolidated account level.

Master users can set trading limits on individual sub accounts based on order size and value.

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Performance & Statements

Performance & Statements

The Performance & Statements menu in Portal provides access to PortfolioAnalyst®, standard Statements, Flex Queries, Tax Documents and more.

  • Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA): TCA tracks the quality of your orders' transaction prices versus market conditions either at the time the orders were submitted or after the trade executes.
  • Tax Optimizer: Tax Optimizer lets you change your tax lot-matching method to optimize your gains and losses.

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Account Security

Account Security

We are committed to protecting accounts from fraudulent practices. Prop Traders need to be authenticated with our Digital Security Card+.

iOS Tutorial:

Please note that Clients of Prop Traders can download the iOS Mobile App, however, Prop Traders do not have direct access to this tool.

Prop Trader Onboarding (18) Video Tutorial iOS Notes iOS User Guide

Android Tutorial:

Please note that Clients of Prop Traders can download the Android Mobile App, however, Prop Traders do not have direct access to this tool.

Configuring Market Data

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Market Data

Use the Settings menu in Portal to manage your market data, research and news subscriptions. We provide real-time streaming market data for free or at the price we are charged by the exchange and offer access to dozens of free and premium market research and news providers.

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Trade Your Account

Trading Platforms

Your username and password provide access to our award-winning platforms that are powerful enough for professional traders but designed for everyone.

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Trader Workstation (TWS)

Our flagship desktop platform designed for active traders and investors who trade multiple products and require power and flexibility.

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Download Software

Demos

Trader Workstation (TWS)

Our flagship desktop platform designed for active traders and investors who trade multiple products and require power and flexibility.

TWS Layout/Customization Tutorial:

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TWS Setup Window Tutorial:

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IBKR ATS

Customers can direct US stock orders to the IBKR ATS destination to add liquidity. Orders directed to IBKR ATS are automatically tagged as "not held" orders, and are posted in IBKR's order book where they are eligible to trade against incoming SmartRouted orders that are marketable against them.

A variety of order types are available for posting liquidity in IBKR ATS, including Pegged-to-Midpoint, Pegged-to-Best, Relative/Pegged-to-Primary, and Pegged-to-Market, as well as priced limit orders.

IBKR ATS for Prop Traders:

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IBKR Mobile

Easily trade and monitor your IBKR account on-the-go from your iOS or Android device (tablet or smartphone).

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Download

User Guide – iOS

User Guide – Android

IBKR Mobile

Easily trade and monitor your IBKR account on-the-go from your iOS or Android device (tablet or smartphone).

IBKR Mobile for Prop Traders:

Video Tutorial Read Notes

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IBKR APIs

From easy-to-use Excel API to IBKR’s industrial strength FIX API, IBKR offers APIs for every experience level.

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IBKR APIs

From easy-to-use Excel API to IBKR’s industrial strength FIX API, IBKR offers APIs for every experience level.

Video Tutorial

Other Features

Account Window

A configurable window in TWS for monitoring every aspect of your account activity.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Monitor Positions

The Monitor panel on the TWS houses your watch lists and your Portfolio page so you can quickly access a real-time view of your positions, P&L, liquidity, margin requirements, etc.

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Rebalance Portfolio

Use the TWS Rebalance window to rebalance your portfolio based on the target percentages you enter.

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Pre-Trade Compliance

Use the Pre-Trade Compliance (PTC) tool to set trading restrictions and controls on the account or individual users with account access.

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Paper Trading Account

Use the full range of trading facilities in a simulated environment using real market conditions.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Investors' Marketplace

The Investors’ Marketplace lets brokers advertise their services to IBKR clients and connect with third party suppliers of technology, research, consulting and investment services. Our website provides an overview of funding methods available to clients.

About Search Money Managers

PortfolioAnalyst

Use Portal to access PortfolioAnalyst, a comprehensive portfolio management tool that helps you quickly and easily consolidate clients’ financial information from any financial institution to gain a complete portfolio view, including assets held-away.

Video Tutorial Learn More User Guide

For information on other features, including Trade in Fractions, IBKR GlobalAnalyst, the Bonds Marketplace and Mutual Fund Marketplace, visit our Features in Focus webpage.

View All Features in Focus

Support Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for an answer? Browse our extensive inventory of frequently asked questions.

IBKR Campus

Learn about the tools, markets and technology available to you as a broker on the IBKR Platform. Stay on top of market events at Traders Insight, learn about programming at the Quant Blog, subscribe to our Podcast channel for interviews and audio articles covering the world of finance, or sign up for a complimentary webinar.

Global Product Offering

Invest globally in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds from a single unified platform.

Margin Trading

IBKR offers margin rates from USD 5.83% - 6.83% , the lowest margin loan interest rates of any broker, according to the StockBrokers.com Online Broker Survey 2023 Read the full article .

Support for Institutions

Browse our support page for instructional videos, user guides, release notes and information on connecting with us.

Prop Trader Onboarding (2024)

FAQs

Why is it hard to pass the prop firm challenge? ›

Many traders fail the challenge because they try to meet the profit target too quickly and end up taking unnecessary risks. Remember, the prop firm is looking for traders who can consistently make profits over an extended period. Take your time to analyze the market and only take trades that align with your strategy.

Is it hard to get into prop trading? ›

Breaking into proprietary trading firms can be challenging, with factors like education, skills, networking, and persistence playing key roles.

How many traders pass prop firm challenge? ›

The article from Lux Trading Firm provides slightly different results. According to it, 4% of traders, on average, pass prop firm challenges. But only 1% of traders kept their funded accounts for a reasonable amount of time.

How many traders fail prop firms? ›

The FTMO challenge has a reputation for being extremely difficult to pass. Across FTMO's various account levels, it is estimated that only around 10% of traders are able to successfully complete the evaluation and become a funded trader. This means approximately 90% of those who attempt the challenge end up failing.

What is the failure rate of FTMO? ›

There is estimated to be a 90% fail rate of traders that take the FTMO challenge. The reason behind this is due to traders chasing the profit target with a time restriction in place. A trader doesnt know when a winning streak might occur, or when they may take a string of drawdowns.

How to pass prop firm challenge fast? ›

Tips for Passing a Prop Firm Trading Challenge
  1. Understand the Rules of Engagement: ...
  2. Master Your Trading Strategy: ...
  3. Risk Management is Non-Negotiable: ...
  4. Leverage Your Analytical Skills: ...
  5. Stay Disciplined and Patient: ...
  6. Continuous Learning is the Key: ...
  7. Embrace Feedback and Adapt: ...
  8. Simulate Real Trading Conditions:
Feb 5, 2024

Can you make a living with prop trading? ›

Also known as “prop trading,” it offers higher earnings potential much earlier in your career than jobs like investment banking or private equity. It's arguably the most merit-based industry within finance: if you make millions of dollars for your firm, you'll earn some percentage of it.

How much does the average prop trader make? ›

The salary of a prop trader can vary greatly depending on several factors such as experience, performance, and the size of the firm. On average, a junior prop trader can expect to earn anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000 per year, while a senior trader can make upwards of $500,000 annually.

Is prop trading stressful? ›

One of the biggest challenges some prop traders face is excessive anxiety. I know anxiety in trading is natural, but too much of it can ruin prop trading success. As a prop trader, you want to make sure you regulate your stress and anxiety level and stay emotionally healthy as much as you can.

What are the odds of passing the prop firm challenge? ›

With the Prop Firm challenges, it's not just about failing or winning. You must be profitable and fulfill certain trading objectives which makes it even harder. Less than 1% of traders who attempt the challenge pass and get funded.

Is it possible to pass FTMO? ›

If you are able to repeatedly pass our Free Trial, then there are chances you can succeed in the full FTMO Challenge as well. This should encourage you to start your journey to become one of our FTMO Traders.

How many times can you fail FTMO challenge? ›

You will be removed from the Premium Programme if one of the following situations occurs: You fail the FTMO Account which is part of the Premium Programme. You fail 3 accounts regardless of the of the stage (FTMO Challenge, Verification, FTMO Account)

Why do 90% of traders fail? ›

Most new traders lose because they can't control the actions their emotions cause them to make. Another common mistake that traders make is a lack of risk management. Trading involves risk, and it's essential to have a plan in place for how you will manage that risk.

Do prop firms actually pay out? ›

Statistics on Average Trader Payouts

Profit Split: The average prop firm will offer a 80-20 profit split once you become a funded trader. TFT, on the other hand, gives up to a 90% split, — even as high as 95% in some promotions — the highest in the industry.

Why 95% of traders fail? ›

The emotional aspect of trading often leads to irrational decisions like panic selling. When the market moves unfavourably, many traders, especially those who are inexperienced, tend to panic and exit their positions hastily. This panic selling often occurs at the worst possible time, leading to significant losses.

How long does it take to pass a prop firm challenge? ›

For most funded trading accounts, it takes around four to five months to pass the screening process or prop firm trading challenge, before funding will be allocated to a trader.

How to pass prop firm evaluation? ›

Mastering Risk Management

Effective risk management is vital in trading evaluations. Many successful traders stress the need to protect your capital by adhering to risk limits and using stop-loss orders. Risk management demonstrates your responsibility as a trader and helps limit potential losses.

What happens if you lose a prop firm challenge? ›

When you are trading with a prop firm, your losses are usually limited to the foregone risk of your challenge/account fee. You are generally not liable for the prop firm's lost funds.

References

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