OVERVIEW
What is an Investment Manager?
An investment manager is responsible for overseeing and managing individual investors portfolios, helping with asset management to ensure they’re performing well, according to client goals and risk tolerance. Investment managers are skilled communicators who are well organized and attentive to detail. They must be able to protect the value of investments and act strategically with the client’s best interests in mind.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an Investment Manager Do?
Investment managers have several day-do-day responsibilities, including:
- Analyzing and adjusting investment strategies to maximize earnings for clients and communicating these adjustments simply, asset management.
- Protecting and safeguarding all individual or organizational assets to ensure financial returns align with client needs.
- Building portfolios that reflect client specifications to deliver an outstanding customer experience.
- Using financial analysis to understand how portfolios are performing and where growth opportunities remain.
How Can I Secure an Investment Management Career?
If you’re looking for a high-paying, fulfilling role where you work with clients to help them build wealth and live fruitful lives, then chooseing a career path in investment management may be a great fit. It may also pay handsomely. Investment manager salaries can average higher than $135,000.
Investment managers oversee investment portfolios of banks or individuals. They generally have a few years of experience in the industry and hold a degree. With a respected degree from WGU, you can prepare yourself to become an investment manager, make a difference, and earn a great salary.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an Investment Manager?
To become an investment manager, you should have a passion for helping others and be great with people. You would be wise to also prepare yourself by earning a degree in an area that’ll teach you the necessary skills to excel in the role.
If you want to be an investment manager, consider earning a bachelor’s degree in business management, accounting or finance. If you already hold an undergraduate degree and you’re looking to hone your expertise, an advanced business degree may be a great option. Consider pursuing a master’s in business administration or a master’s in accounting if you’re looking to skill up and stand out.
Nothing substitutes for real-world experience. Gaining on-the-job expertise in portfolio management, financial analysis, due diligence, and financial modeling will prepare you to become an investment manager. Start with an internship or entry-level role so you can get your feet under you, learn from a more seasoned investment manager, and prepare to step into a greater role.
Best Degrees for an Investment Manager
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Finance – B.S.
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant...
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant industry skills.
- Time: 62% of graduates finish similar programs within 24 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 41 courses in this program
Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Management
- Accounting
- Finance
- Spreadsheets
- Financial Analysis
- Problem Solving
The competency-based model at WGU allows you to move as quickly as you can master the material, and do your coursework on your schedule. Flexibility is key with the B.S. in finance at WGU.
Business
Accounting – B.S. Business Administration
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?...
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 24 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 41 courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Financial Statements
- Communication
- Detail Oriented
- Research
Take your first step toward CPA certification and learn how to use GAAP, ledgers, and journals.
Business
Accounting – M.S.
Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private...
Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private accounting positions:
- Time: 62% of grads finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10-11 total courses in this program
This program offers 4 unique specializations for students to choose from, allowing you to gain specific experience and skills that will help you in your career. Choose from concentrations in taxation, auditing, management accounting, and financial reporting to boost your résumé.
Skills for your résumé that this program will prepare you for:
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Tax Planning
- Financial Management
- Communication
- Data Analysis
- This MAcc program is designed to prepare you for the CPA exam and also the CMA or CIA exams.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
How Much Does an Investment Manager Make?
$144,141
The salary for an investment manager can vary depending on years of experience and whether they work independently or for an investment agency. The estimated median salary for an investment manager in the U.S. is $141,141 according to salary.com with the top 10% of earners making more than $186,079. Low-end salaries can be around $97,771.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
16%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the market for financial managers will grow by an astounding 16% from 2022 to 2032, with nearly 120,000 new jobs expected over that period.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an Investment Manager Need?
Investment managers need a particular set of hard and soft skills to be successful. An investment manager should be skilled in:
- Financial analysis. Understanding the financial situation of a client and their goals is the first key skill an investment manager needs. This includes familiarity with reading financial statements, identifying investable income, and helping clients understand their financial standing as it relates to investment possibilities. Even if you don't spend your time as a full time financial analyst, having the underlying skills will be important.
- Strategy. Knowing a client’s baseline and expectations is just the first part. Where investment managers really shine is in their ability to create an investment strategy their clients can trust. They need a solid, viable plan to prepare for retirement and trust their investment manager to help them.
- Portfolio management. Managing an investment portfolio and adjusting as the market changes is challenging and time-consuming for those who either aren’t familiar with the markets or don’t have the time. Clients give their portfolio managers the reins, trusting that they will manage their money wisely, shifting funds around to meet agreed upon goals.
- Due diligence. Investment managers must be precise and careful in every transaction or management activity they undertake. They should carefully analyze investment opportunities with a scrutinizing eye for detail, ensuring clients are aware of potential risks and always keeping the client’s interest at the forefront.
- Communication. Investment managers handle others’ money. As such, they should be careful to communicate frequently and adequately with each client to apprise them of how their portfolio is doing. Transparency and honesty are key to gaining and maintaining trust and building a solid reputation.
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