Financial analysis managers are those who have experience managing investment portfolios and selecting the best assets for clients using qualified data and metrics. The manager is responsible for training and guiding junior level analysts, so he or she must also be adept at leading, delegating responsibility, and watching out for any analytical errors. A bachelor's degree is normally required for this position, and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from a top university is often also required. Certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) could also be required for some companies.
Analyzing the performance of various assets can be difficult. As a financial analysis manager, you will need to have both the analytical skills and intuition to evaluate market conditions and decide which stocks and bonds are driving revenue or declining in popularity. Being able to draw critical business insights from financial data is the key to success if you wish to become a financial analysis manager.
You can become a financial analysis manager by receiving a degree from a top university, and financial firms usually recruit talented students from well-known schools. Majoring in subjects such as finance, operational engineering, financial engineering, and economics will give you a solid foundation in business dynamics and understanding of the financial ramifications of business decisions, such as mergers and acquisitions.
An MBA may also be a welcome asset on your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) if you seek to become a financial analysis manager at a major financial firm, insurance company, or investment bank. The financial industry normally requires candidates go to business school in order to learn how to manage a multimillion dollar operation before granting promotions. Business school can also be useful to make business contacts within the financial field and also enables you to share best practices and past experiences with those who understand the difficult worlds of buy-side, sell-side, and investment economics.
In some areas, organizations offer the CFA certificate to qualified individuals in the financial industry. Since you want to become a financial analysis manager, it is useful to read up on what it takes to first become a chartered financial analyst. You must typically first have several years of experience and demonstrated competency with spreadsheet programs and analytics platforms. The examination is very difficult and requires several months of preparation and preliminary study, but getting the certificate is worth it if you want to be regarded as a leader in the financial management field.