Job profile:

Investment Management

Similar job titles

Fund manager
Asset manager
Investment manager
Private banker
Private client relationship
manager
Wealth manager

What
Investment management is focused on increasing the value of assets on
behalf of clients. These assets could include equities (shares), bonds,
property and cash. Clients can be institutions who have large amounts of
money to invest, or individuals. Wealth managers are sometimes called
Private Bankers and their clients are generally high net worth individuals.
Investment managers use different strategies to invest and they have to
consider the asset allocation and construction of portfolios. Integral to
their role is their relationships with investment analysts, who research and
identify potential and hopefully lucrative growth and income opportunities
that meet clients investment goals. Anyone working in investment
management must adhere to regulations set by the Financial Services
Authority (FSA).

Similar careers
Financial advice and planning
Investment analysis
Stockbroking
Structuring
Trading

Salary
A trainee investment manager can expect to earn an annual salary of
approximately 28,000. When fully qualified, and with the right
experience and skills you could progress to earn in excess of 100,000
per annum. This does not include potential bonuses and additional
benefits. Salaries may vary based on location and employer.

Copyright FSP 2011

Tasks

Developing investment strategies to meet agreed investment objectives

Implementing an investment strategy, liaising with clients and dealing with their queries about the
strategy
Analysing the risk and return profile of asset types, monitoring markets relevant to the fund portfolio and
the performance of competing funds
Developing awareness of the tax environment within which specific investments and investors operate
Constructing risk profiles for proposed client portfolio changes
Preparing investment portfolio data for client reporting
Reviewing, restructuring (as appropriate) and reporting on individual and corporate portfolios
Monitoring and overseeing investment operations and administration activities (this activity may depend
on the size of the organisation)
Networking to maintain relationships with existing investment clients and foster new profitable
relationships

Skills

Analytical and strong investment evaluation skills

Risk and quantitative analysis skills
Outstanding networking and relationship management ability
Excellent numerical reasoning
Business communication and interpersonal skills
Confidence and commitment
Persuasive and credible
Decision making and ability to act on own initiative
Taking responsibility for decisions
Teamwork skills

Useful knowledge and experience

A new entrant will not always be required to have this knowledge. Employers usually provide training to
acquire skills for:

Sound knowledge and understanding of investment markets and different products

Good knowledge of fund structures and asset allocation techniques
Thorough understanding of the sector in which a fund is positioned

Entry qualifications
The main route into investment management is through a formal graduate programme. Some progress from
investment analysis roles. Employers will require entrants to be numerate and typically ask for a 2.1 degree.
Any degree discipline may be accepted, but some employers prefer a management, business, economics,
financial or numeracy orientated subject. Each employer specifies exact academic requirements and
preferred subject.

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Professional and higher qualifications

Investment management is a regulated function. One of the following qualifications is required to operate
unsupervised and entrants may be expected to complete these within a set timescale:
CFA Society of the UK (CFA UK) Level 4 Investment Management Certificate (IMC)
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) Level 3 Certificate in Investments (appropriate for
those working in wholesale investments)
CISI Level 4 Diploma in Investment Advice (meets RDR compliance requirements for people advising
retail clients on packaged investment products and Securities & Derivatives)
With several years experience, investment management professionals may progress towards more
advanced professional qualifications, such as:
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program
CISI Level 6 Certificate in Private Client Investment Advice & Management (PCIAM)
CISI Level 7 Masters in Wealth Management

UK and global opportunities

Opportunities for fund and asset managers exist predominantly with investment management companies,
banks, investment banks, insurance companies and pension funds. Additionally, wealth managers are found
in private banks. London, Manchester, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh are key locations for
this role, although some investment management roles may be found in other major financial centres. Most
positions are based in the UK. However, due to the global nature of funds there may be opportunities for
secure secondments and permanent positions in investment divisions overseas. Most global banks and
fund management firms have offices in key financial districts, such as New York, Tokyo and Sydney, and in
the main European centres of Paris, Frankfurt, Milan and Madrid.

Find out more

CFA Institute www.cfainstitute.org
CFA Society of the UK https://secure.cfauk.org/index.html
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment www.cisi.org
Directions www.directions.org.uk
FSA www.fsa.gov.uk
www.financialworld.co.uk
www.globalmoneymanagement.com
www.investmentweek.co.uk
Investment Management Association www.investmentuk.org
Scottish Investment Operations www.sio.org.uk

Copyright FSP 2011