To become an investment fund manager, you must first obtain the appropriate business and financial education. This education typically comes in the form of a bachelor's degree program followed by a more advanced program in finance, usually a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree program. Most investment fund managers also seek specialized certification as a financial accountant or financial analyst. The duties of this position require distinct knowledge of economic markets, so as someone who is working to become an investment fund manager you should keep abreast of daily financial news stories.
A four year bachelor's degree is required for the vast majority of investment fund positions, especially managerial and executive positions. Most students who are interested in investment funds will major in subjects that stress quantitative analysis, such as finance, business, statistics, and operational engineering. By majoring in these subjects, you will learn all that you need to know about stock markets, bonds, monetary policy, and other topics of vital interest to aspiring investment fund managers. Given this knowledge, you will be able make wise decisions concerning future clients' financial investment portfolios, such as which assets to keep and which assets to let go.
To become an investment fund manager you will probably need to get a more advanced degree. Managers of this type not manage both client investments and junior level financial analysts. As such, you will need the proper leadership and business management training. An MBA graduate degree program is designed to teach you how to run a large business in the most efficient manner. You will also have the chance to delve into more advanced financial topics. Soft skills, such as interpersonal relations and effective leadership, can be learned through an advanced business degree program.
It is usually the case that investment fund managers have obtained certification as a financial analyst at some point in their career. Each country has its own rules and process for this kind of certification, which you will need to research thoroughly. Certification usually involves taking required classes or seminars in finance and accounting.
As a person who would like to become an investment fund manager, it is very important that you keep up with the latest financial news in various industries. You should try to pay particularly close attention to those industries with companies in which you have invested. Economic markets fluctuate rapidly, and you could easily miss news that could help you make a successful investment.
