How to Become an Investment Fund Manager

Investment Fund Manager Key Stats
Education	4+ Years
Job Outlook	8%

Investment Fund Managers are responsible for overseeing a wide range of investment portfolios.

These professionals lend their services to individuals and companies making sure their investments grow and are maximized.

Investment Fund Managers occupy a senior management position and are highly experienced with making tough financial decisions.

Their tough decision making pays off in the long run and can provide financial benefits to their clients.

An Investment Fund Manager can help their clients invest their money in several types of money producing methods including stocks, bonds and other types of assets.

Read the following information if you want to become an Investment Fund Manager .

Below you will read about the education requirements to start a career in this field as well as a general job description, salary and wage data and the job outlook for this industry.

Education Requirements to Become an Investment Fund Manager

Students who want to become an Investment Fund Manager need a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in order to work in this field.

A candidate may also have to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) depending on whether they work for a firm that manages over $25 million American dollars in investments.

Potential Investment Fund Managers should focus on a track that will prepare them to succeed in this profession.

Typical majors these professionals major in include: Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, Economics or Accounting.

After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree focusing on a business track candidates must apply for entry level positions in order to gain experience in the field.

Recent graduates typically work in portfolio management positions before succeeding to the higher level of Investment Fund Manager.

Professionals in this field may also qualify for an Investment Fund Manager position by pursuing an advanced degree, more specifically, an M.B.A.

Having this type of degree increases the chances of being promoted and having a highly qualified background.

Investment Fund Manager Job Description

An Investment Fund Manager may be responsible for individual or business investment accounts.

These professionals will plan and direct an investment approach to make money for their investing clients.

Depending on their clients’ needs and desires, an Investment Fund Manager will choose the best way to make their clients’ money grow.

An Investment Fund Manager can choose between stocks, bonds and other assets to help their clients’ investments grow.

In order to determine the investment strategy or approach to make money for their clients, an Investment Fund Manager must meet with their client.

This will help them gauge where to invest the money in.

Investment Fund Managers are also responsible for managing a client’s investment portfolio.

If an Investment Fund Manager notices that a strategy is not working, they can perform market trades in order for their client not to lose money.

Investment Fund Managers can choose strategies that are considered risky for clients who are willing to take an aggressive route.

For conservative clients, Investment Fund Managers will know what types of assets and investments to focus on in order to achieve this task.

Investment Fund Manager Salary and Career Path

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides reports for several careers in the Securities, Commodities and Investment industries.

The national median wage for financial managers in 2008 was approximately $66 per hour which amounts to approximately $130,000 per year if working a 40 hour work week.

Professions in the Securities, Commodities and Investment sectors should experience average growth.

These professions are expected to grow by about 12 percent through the year 2018.

Even with this job growth however, candidates who want to become an Investment Fund Manager should expect strong competition from other applicants.

The projected growth for this industry is believed to come from several factors.

The increasing globalization of investments, the retiring baby boomer generation and the increasing need for investment advice are all attributed to the average growth in this industry.

Candidates with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with a background in Economics, Accounting or Finance are the most sought after in this field.

Applicants with an M.B.A.

degree are even more qualified due to their vast knowledge of this field.

The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Financial Managers, OCC Code 11-3031, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an investment fund manager do?

Investment fund managers are professionals that are responsible for managing the funds and investments of the clients to make sure that they get the highest return on their money.

Of course, an investment fund manager would have to take into consideration the client’s goals and future plans, as well as his or her tolerance for risk.

In most cases, the managers are paid a percentage of the fund’s average assets.

The typical duties of an investment fund manager usually include looking for potential clients; researching stocks and funds; developing proposals for the clients; proposing new investments to the clients; preparing reports, and so on.

Investment fund managers work for stockbrokers, banks, investment and asset managing companies, insurance companies…

How much do investment fund managers make?

On average, an investment fund manager can make a little more than $107.000 per year in the United States.

In case you decide to choose this career path, you can expect to earn anywhere between $52.500 and $183.500 annually.

The salary would certainly depend on a variety of factors – your education and experience level, the employer, the location, and so on.

The professionals that work in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and California, for example, have the highest average salaries.

An entry-level investment fund manager can earn around $25 per hour; a top-level specialist with plenty of experience can make $88 and more per hour.

How much does it cost to become an investment fund manager?

You would need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in business, mathematics, economics or finance, in order to become an investment fund manager.

To improve job prospects, you can consider getting a master’s degree.

A year in a university can cost you anywhere between $8.000 and $30.000 (and more); the cost depends on a variety of factors (bear in mind that the books, supplies, and accommodation expenses are not included).

A master’s degree will cost you over $30.000, in most of the cases.

An investment fund manager has to have a license.

The cost of the Series 7 exam, for example, is around $300.

What is the demand for investment fund managers?

Between 2016 and 2026, the investment fund manager market is expected to grow by 8%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The growth is just as fast as the average for all occupations in the United States.

The candidates that possess a master’s degree will have better chances of getting the highest-paid job.

The industry is mainly concentrated in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and California.

How long does it take to become an investment fund manager?

It will take you 4 years to obtain a bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years to get a master’s degree.

You can consider seeking an internship during your last year in university to get that on-job experience.

In order to become a licensed professional, you would have to pass the Series 7 exam; however, before sitting for the Series 7, you must take the SIE exam.

After that, an aspiring investment fund manager would have to take either the Series 63 or Series 66 exam; in case you are well-prepared, all these exams won’t take a ton of your time.