Asset managers allocate the funds of institutional clients to meet predetermined investment objectives. Asset managers must employ in-depth understanding of financial markets and investment products to construct investment strategies that meet client expectations. Clients may range from pension funds and insurance companies to hedge funds and may have wide range of investment objectives, risk appetites and investment horizons.
The skill set required for asset management is both heavily quantitative – knowledge of accounting and statistics is indispensable for modeling – and highly qualitative – managing client relationships and determining the best asset mix are a priority. Interns in asset management must blend these skills in order to become experts in the markets and the products therein.
Salespeople make money through commissions on trades made through their firms or, increasingly, as a percentage of their clients' assets with the firm.
Programme requirements
- On track for a 2.1 or above
- Minimum 'BBB' at A level (or equivalent in UCAS points)
- No specific degree subject is required
- Broad knowledge of the finance industry, especially investment management, is required
- Excellent quantitative and analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Collaborative, interpersonal style
