The portfolio manager, also known as a financial analyst, is the person responsible for assisting clients, both companies and individuals, in deciding how to invest their money. It researches financial information by analyzing the best investment trends and identifies those that it believes best match your client's profile. Before starting to work in this sector, technical preparation is required which is illustrated below.
Steps
Step 1. Get your degree
A bachelor's degree takes 3-5 years.
- You must enroll in a university and undertake studies in economics, finance, accounting or business management.
- After completing your studies, complete an internship in the financial sector.
Step 2. Get a master's degree in finance or business management
- Take finance courses related to investing in options, stocks and bonds.
- Usually this program should take around 3 years.
Step 3. Look for a position as a low-level financial analyst to start working at a bank or management company
This type of position is the most common for starting a career as an analyst.
- The search channels are varied, you can use the internet (social networks or job search sites), or the specific office of your university, or search among the advertisements in newspapers.
- Complete the training program required by the company hiring you and created especially for employees.
- Take and pass the compulsory exams. Check which ones are required in the country where you want to go to work; in the United States, for example, the core tests are "Series 7", "Series 63" or "Series 66" and are typically sponsored by the employer.
Step 4. Advance in position to become manager
Getting into the position of portfolio manager requires several years of work within the same company
Step 5. Obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, through the institution of the same name, and give your career an extra boost
- To be able to achieve it, you must have both the required qualifications, such as a degree, and some years of work experience.
- This certification requires passing 3 exams, relating to subjects such as risk management, portfolio management, quantitative analysis and professional ethics.
Advice
- It is necessary to continue to update by following seminars and conferences, even after finishing university studies.
- Working as a manager and financial analyst requires high analytical, mathematical, communication skills and to be able to solve critical situations (the so-called "problem solving"). You must also be able to work within a team of other professionals in the sector, have attention to detail and understand the strategies to be undertaken at a wide range.
Warnings
- If you only want to graduate, your career will remain at a basic level. If, on the other hand, you want to achieve other qualifications, such as those mentioned, you will reach more important job positions.
- When you start, you will not receive a job offer unless you first successfully complete the training program proposed by the employer or if you do not pass the mandatory exams to be licensed as an analyst.
