Investment Fund Manager

Investment Fund Managers need to be well versed in all financial matters regarding investments across the globe. They must be able to use a computer and have sound knowledge about different investments; especially the fund that they manage.

Along with this, the candidates need to be able to make decisions on the spot and sometimes be involved in difficult decision making. Fund managers also need to be able to communicate well with potential and existing clients to gain their trust.

Fund managers must also be able to see potential in new sectors of the economy when deciding where to invest. The ability to take a calculated risk is also mandatory in this field.

It is the job of an investment fund manager to manage the investments of their clients, whether they are individuals or businesses. They are responsible for their client’s money and thus must be very careful that they only grow their investments, and not the other way around.

Investment fund managers usually have a place in senior management, and make financial decisions that are very difficult to make money for their clients. It is their job to invest in different financial markets such as stocks, bonds, money market funds etc.

Investment Fund Managers plan out an investment plan for their clients and depending upon the individual or business’s needs, the fund manager will evaluate which investment options are best suited for that client. It is the goal of an investment fund manager to make their clients assets grow. They must meet the client to determine what investment strategy will fit their needs.

If the current strategy is not working well and the client is losing money, then the investment fund manager will gauge whether he/she needs to move the client’s investment to other assets which will be more profitable. They need to make sure that the clients goals are met at the end of the year.

Investment Fund managers can choose to approach the investment in a risky or a more cautious way after determining what the client wants. They must also update their clients to assure them that their investment is in good hands, and is making money.

Investment fund managers must evaluate the risk associated with each investment before making a smart decision. They must also monitor the different investments and their progress every day. Moreover, fund managers must manage different departments such as operations and finance to make sure that everything is running smoothly.

The minimum requirement that is needed for a career in this field is a Bachelors degree. Individuals can major in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Statistics, or any other related major.
A Masters degree is a plus point to have, and can influence the salary offered to the employee.

In the United States, the salary for an investment fund manager is approximately $130,100 per annum, while the hourly wage for these professionals is approximately $55 per hour. In the United Kingdom, a fund manager typically earns approximately £52,000 per annum.

In India as well, the salary of an investment fund manager is very soaring. A fund manager will earn in the range of Rs. 5,000,00 – Rs. 9,000,00 per year.
Those Investment fund managers with more experience who climb up the hierchy to become Chief Investment Officers usually earn anywhere from Rs. 1500,000 to Rs. 470,000 per annum.

Investment Fund Managers usually work very long hours in a week; usually 50-60., although this may vary depending upon the work load at that point. These managers spend their days in a comfortable office environment working on their computers or laptops.

Investment Fund Managers also spend a large portion of their time making contacts, converting them into clients, and then maintaining their clients. Along with this, these managers may travel infrequently to visit large clients.

There is a lot of interaction involved in this career with other businessmen and professionals. This ensures that the work of an Investment Fund Manager never becomes boring. Moreover, the salary of these managers is high, and keeps increasing every year.

Investment Fund Managers also work in a comfortable work environment and are given many benefits as part of their salary packages.

The downside of being an Investment Fund Manager is that there is a lot of risk involved in this career. One mistake or bad decision could lead to large losses for their clients, and ruining the reputation and trust that they had built.

An Investment Fund Manager must also be heavily qualified to do this job and so this involves many years in school. There is also heavy competition in the market. Long hours on the job are also a downside worth considering.

The job outlook for Investment Fund Managers is expected to grow by approximately 12% up to 2018. However, even though there is growth taking place, competition is increasing at an even higher rate. The greater number of qualifications a candidate holds, the better chances they have of getting hired.
In India, the economy is expanding and thus resulting in a greater demand for Investment Fund Managers.

Investment fund managers should be located in areas with high populations so that they can have a larger pool of potential clients. Moreover, in business dominant regions, investment fund managers are more in demand, and people and businesses feel the need to save money in the form of investments. The best places to practice such a career in India are Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Surat, Pune, Jaipur and Bangalore.

It is essential to clear the Association of Mutual Funds of India certification test to become a personal investment adviser. A certified financial planner certification would be an exceptional qualification. To become a corporate investment adviser, graduation/postgraduation with specialisation in finance is a must.