Specialized Finance Credentials Boost Job Opportunities
With a CFA Designation Consider the Following Career Options
Holding specialized finance credentials—such as Creighton University’s Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis (MIMFA) degree coupled with the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation—can open doors at any stage of a career. Investment professionals with advanced credentials are in a strong position to enjoy the best job prospects, including earning top compensation in their field.
Career options to consider include:
Portfolio Managers
Job Description: Portfolio managers oversee an institution's assets and liability portfolio. They monitor financial markets and conduct extensive research to help organizations and individuals make investment decisions. Portfolio managers often manage a team of financial analysts.
Salary Information: The national average salary for portfolio managers is $123,871, while the average in the New York City area is $159,483, according to Glassdoor1. PayScale2 says the top 10 percent earn at least $150,000. Cash allowances can include more than $50,000 from bonuses and, in some cases, $30,000 from profit sharing.
Financial Analysts
Job Description: Financial analysts review and interpret financial data, market trends and economic conditions to provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. These professionals are adept at assessing the performance of stocks, bonds and other types of investments.
Salary Information: The median annual wage for financial analysts was $76,950 in 2012, with job prospects expected to grow 16 percent through 2022, faster than the national average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Financial analysts have the best average pay in New York, where compensation can reach close to $107,650, according to recruiter.com3.
Asset Managers
Job Description: Asset managers are responsible for managing, procuring, valuing and disposing of companies or individuals assets ranging from property to equipment. They review budgets, analyze statistics and recommend strategies for maximizing the value and return for assets held by a company or an individual.
Salary Information: The median income for asset managers is around $74,000, with top salaries reaching $129,000 (including $30,000 from bonuses and more than $26,000 from profit sharing, in some cases), according to PayScale. Commissions can represent close to two-fifths of total compensation4.
Financial Managers
Job Description: Financial managers oversee the financial health of an organization, direct investment activities and develop strategies to meet the institution's long-term financial goals.
Salary Information: The median pay for financial managers was $109,740 in 2012, with a projected job growth of 9 percent through 2022, which is as fast as the national average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Market Research Analysts
Job Description: Market research analysts gather intelligence about the market to help organizations and individuals identify investment opportunities. They often become experts in a particular sector and assist organizations to set priorities.
Salary Information: Market research analysts earned a median salary of $60,800 in 2013, with top compensation reaching more than $114,250, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The West Coast was home to the top-paying metropolitan areas.
Although the exact responsibilities of an investment professional will vary, those who hold advanced credentials are better prepared to climb the corporate ladder and command top compensation for their skills and expertise. Creighton’s is one of a select number of graduate programs worldwide that have been selected as a Program Partner by the CFA Institute. Creighton’s program is also unique in that it is offered both in residence and fully online.
Request more information about Creighton’s MIMFA program.
Sources:
- http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/portfolio-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm
- http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Portfolio_Manager/Salary
- https://www.recruiter.com
- http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Asset_Manager/Salary
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