Asset Management

Careers in Finance:

Asset Management
Kurt Martinson
01.16.2008


Overview
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What is Asset Management?
Sub-classifications of AM.
Areas within AM.
Day in the Life.
How to get in?
Skills needed.
Interview Prep.
Tools/Resources.


What is Asset Management?
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Investment & Wealth Management

solutions.

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Clients: Institutions, high net worth clients, retail

investors, pension funds, governments, foundations.
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Asset Classes: Fixed Income, Equities, Hedge
Funds, Private Equity, Real Estate, etc.


Asset Management
Branches
Asset Management

Investment
Management

Private Client Services

Private Banking


Areas in AM
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Client Side v. Alpha Side:
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Client bringing

in new business.
 servicing current clients.
 explaining strategy & products.
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Alpha (Analytics) construct

portfolios.
 directly trade securities.
 monitor daily accounts.


Typical Career Path
James Madison
University

2-4 Year
Analyst Program

Hedge Fund
Manager

Graduate School

Portfolio
Manager

Associate Level


Analyst Job Options
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Investment Analyst:
 financial

analysis
 prepare client communication materials
 assist PM in developing trade flows
 review comparisons of account positions
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Research Analyst:
 work

with buy-side analysts
 analysis & views on products, securities,
industry sectors, etc.


Analyst Job Options
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Quantitative Analyst:
 build

models for wide range of products.

 provide metrics to PMs to help in portfolio
construction.
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Client/Marketing Analyst:
 product

& services positioning.
 prepare client presentations.
 perform competitive analysis.
 respond to client inquiries.


Day in the Life...
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06:15am- Wake up to get ready for work. Read both the WSJ &
Financial Times on my way in.
07:30am- Just getting into the office; look over Research broker reports.
09:00am- Morning meeting to discuss news, results and anything else affecting

client portfolios.
10:00am- Meet with colleagues to discuss business issues regarding the team.
11:00am- Meeting with Hedge Fund which deals in international equities that
some clients hold.
11:50am- Take call from Research Sales guy inviting me to lunch later that
week with one of their corporate clients. Shares look expensive on
first look so I decline.
12:45am- Lunch with a potential investor.
02:30pm- Meetings until 5:30 with teams and researchers discussing views on
the market and portfolio strategies.
5:30pm- Attend presentation being put on by Jersey trust company, one of
our biggest clients.
7:30pm- Pick up some research, return phone calls and head home on the train.


Three Skills
for AM
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Qualitative

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Quantitative

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Communication

Interviews
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Prep Work:
 Be

well read on the markets and the economy
(WSJ, Barron’s, Financial Times etc.)
 Have your “Tell me about yourself” statement.
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Know three level above what your resume states.

 Know
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the job you are applying for.

Why that particular company?
Why is that position a good fit?

 Have

thoughts on economy ready.
 Have pitch for securities that you are bullish on.
 How do you value a company?


Tools/Resources

JPMorgan Careers; Asset Management.
 Vault Guides: Finance; Investment Mngt.
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