Invest in a (b)right profession

Rachit Chawla

Some of the most demanding and lucrative jobs in India are from the financial sector. Among these, investment management is a favourite of young professionals. A majority of students with degrees like MBA (finance), MFC, CA, or CFA wants to make a career in investment management. Investment management is a diversified field that revolves around the appropriate management of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, pension funds, insurance, equities, real estate, securities, and several other financial assets.

The foremost responsibility of an investment manager is to multiply the assets of a client through the right selection of instruments and plans. Continuous monitoring of the invested resources, making market forecast, taking an instant decision in case of shocks, risks and even opportunities, and  communication with the client to update him about every small and big change, make the job of an investment manager challenging and exciting at the same time.

A job in demand

Besides banks and financial institutions, every listed company — corporate or a multinational firm — require in-house investment managers to reap best returns from the invested resources. In the corporate sector, an investment manager performs various additional duties as well, like attaining the financial goals of a firm, analysing the organisation’s current financial situation, suggesting fund-raising measures, and helping the top management in pitching the venture capitalists and angel investors. 

The demand for investment and fund managers is always high, and many credit-rating agencies like ICRA, CARE, CRISIL, Credit Suisse, and JP Morgan are the dream organisations of graduates with degrees in financial management.      

Education & eligibility

Though there are no strict criteria to make an entry into this sector, students from all streams are eligible to apply for a job. One must be good at mathematics, analytical skills, economics, and banking. However, if one is an MBA in Finance, MFC, CA, MIB, or MBE from a reputed college or university, then the chances of selection and growth are very high. 

Beyond the basics

A sound knowledge of financial products, financial institutions, fiscal policies of the existing government, guidelines of SEBI, familiarity with stock market operations, knowledge of world economy and a sharp eye on the developments in the financial sector are some of the most desirable traits that an employer seeks in a prospective employee. Furthermore, excellent communication skills, investment acumen, and smartness in taking the right decisions at the right time are the qualities that provide an extra edge to the aspiring professional.   

A shining future

Investment management will continue to flourish as an industry despite many ups and downs in the market. If one has a degree in finance, commerce or economics, the career growth prospects seem bright several years to come.

Money matters

Compensation is not a constraint for qualified and talented candidates in the investment management. Mid-sized Indian companies offer an average salary of Rs 4 lakh- Rs 7 lakh to a fresher and Rs 8 lakh- Rs 15 lakh to managers with more than three years of experience. Large financial institutions and banks offer an initial package between Rs 5 lakh-Rs 10 lakh to new recruits and Rs 12 lakh-Rs 18 lakh to professionals more than three years of experience. In contrast, foreign MNCs are more generous towards their employees and usually offer 30 per cent to 80 per cent additional emoluments to employees working on similar positions. Moreover, there is a huge demand for Indian investment managers in the US, various parts of the Europe, Africa, Middle East, and UAE countries.

Institute watch

Some of the trusted institutions, a candidate should aspire to get into are 

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, Delhi University.
• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.
• XLRI, School of Business and Human Resources, Jharkhand. 
• Institute of Management and Technology, Ghaziabad, AMU, Aligarh.
• Chandigarh University.

The writer is founder & Chief Executive Officer, Finway Capital