by Money management is an important factor for individuals and households to control their expenses and create budgeting strategies.
When it comes to investment, money management is crucial to increase profits for facilities and individuals.
In the following article, you will find useful information about the experience, factors, and skills money management specialists, or financial analysts, should possess.
Their work includes helping stakeholders and investors achieve their goals to support their business, education, retirement plans, etc.
Article Table of Contents
The Work of a Money Management Specialist
Money managers and financial planners help businesses and individuals increase their assets and improve their spending potential.
Financial planners work towards financial goals.
Money managers, on the other hand, concentrate on the products created to achieve these goals.
The money management experts’ job includes skills and functions to help investors grow their wealth.
Responsibilities of Money Managers
- Research and find companies, funds, industries where the managers can find investment.
- Choose and advise bonds, stocks, currencies, and other investment commodities for funds.
- Develop investment strategies for individuals and companies.
- Analyze past and present financial data, strategy, policy, management of the companies.
- Examine industry trends and economic factors such as inflation, unemployment rates, as well as currency markets and movement of securities.
- Deliberate with financial planners concerning savings and investment goals of the clients.
- Inform the clients of the investment risks.
Money Manager’s Skills
Analytical:
Money managers are expected to collect and sort out information to select investments and make conclusions.
They should be able to determine risky or profitable investments depending on the financial situation of the company, efficiency of the management, etc.
Study of increases, decreases, and other market factors are also a part of analytical skills.
Computer proficiency:
Money managers use computer software and apps to demonstrate how the prices and values of specific investments and market indices will change.
They should also be knowledgeable in the use of spreadsheets.
Money management experts should also know how to research news and information online, deal with certain transactions, use email.
Math:
Mathematical skills are essential for the money managers as they have to be able to calculate ratios and formulas such as debt-to-equity, net income, earnings per share, etc., to define the companies and securities values.
Math skills of money manager include estimating future cash flows as a value index.
How to Start a Career in Money Management
Money managers are expected to acquire a formal college education and gain experience in financial planning and investments.
Education is usually a requirement for the certifications which many money management firms require from money managers.
Money managers selling securities and other financial products should get the Financial Industry Regulatory Agency (FINRA) license.
Education and Qualifications
Money management professionals usually acquire undergraduate degrees in accounting or finance, business administration.
Post-graduate education also broadens chances for employment.
Based on the O*NET data, 35% of financial analysts earn a Master’s degree while six in ten hold a Bachelor’s degree.
College or Master’s degree training programs focus on finance, economics, statistics, mathematics, accounting.
Money managers should be aware of the concepts of risk and reward.
Another essential knowledge is diversification of investment assets to manage risks, calculate investment returns, currency exchange rates, plan the funds.
If you are planning to work in a specific industry, you should consider taking courses in this particular area.
For example, money managers involved in science or technology industry can study engineering, chemistry or biochemistry.
Money managers can gain training and experience via internships or working during college.
They can also get employed and trained before graduation by banks, investment or accounting firms, government agencies dealing with pensions and similar institutions.
Working Experience
Money managers selling securities must obtain a FINRA license.
For that, they need sponsorship from an employer.
That said, employers don’t require extended work experience in the industry from money managers as an employment condition.
Four years of experience in applying financial or economic data for investment decisions is required for money managers to get Chartered Financial Analyst certification through the CFA Institute.
Such experience can also be gained through supervision of those working with data for investment goals or those who teach it.
The CFA requires at least half of that period to be in investment decision-making field.
If you did such work for yourself or your family, it won’t count as part of the experience.
Work Hours
Money managers work full-time.
The work may include odd hours extending into the late evenings and weekends.
During the daytime hours, money managers usually meet with clients or companies or consult them on the phone.
For making investment decisions, money managers monitor the market and get in touch with traders.
Globalization makes money managers deal with foreign currency markets or securities.
Therefore, the working hours of the US specialists can extend to late nights to keep up with the hours of foreign exchanges.
Both in the evenings and on the weekends, money managers deal with research and analysis of the day’s news or governmental activities to detect their influence on investments.
Career Outlook and Prospects
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of financial analysts is expected to increase by 11%.
It impacts the jobs of money managers as well, with 32,200 new job openings expected to appear by 2026.
Economic conditions are the primary factor influencing the employment.
A healthy economy results in more investment activity and increase of income for investors.
With the economy expanding, openings of new enterprises and the development of existing organizations are expected.
An increased number of businesses and commercial activity is expected for money managers to deal with specific securities.
Money managers are in increasing demand in the markets and developing economies.
Even with the increased demand, money managers and other financial experts should maintain a competitive market for jobs.
Conclusion
Various organizations such as banks, insurance companies, pension funds, etc., rely on investments greatly, so the money management services remain in high demand.
Those wishing to work in a money management area should appreciate their role in dealing with the financial strategies of investors.
With the necessary skills and experience, money managers can acquire certification and become qualified to sell securities and consult investors on particular products.