How do I Become a Hedge Fund Manager?

become-a-hedge-fund-managerA Hedge Fund Manager is a financial analyst who is responsible for decision-making about investments for hedge funds. Often these financial professionals use aggressive trading strategies to provide high returns to the investors in the fund’s group. They often work with large amounts of money, moving funds from one market to another to improve and increase their assets. It is not uncommon for a Hedge Fund Manager to earn Six-figures. 

What Steps in Education You Will Need to Become a Hedge Fund Manager

To become a Hedge Fund Manager you will need to complete a level of education and also acquire specific professional certification. Because Hedge funds require background knowledge of how to work with sophisticated investment strategies and trade complex financial products, a strong proficiency in math and economics will be required. Hedge fund managers just starting out generally start as a junior trader and if successful can proceed to a career as a higher-level trader.

To become a Hedge Fund Manager, planning should start as early as High school if you know that’s the career you aim toward. In order to become a Hedge Fund Manager, choosing the right college or university is the first step to success. Hedge Fund managers often invest through complex investment strategies and having the right college degree will allow them to run the fund effectively and profitably.

How to choose the right Master’s Degree To Become a Hedge Fund Manager

There are many universities that have bachelor’s programs in Business with a focus on economics or accounting. First, choose a bachelor’s degree program with a  relevant major like math, finance, physics or computer science and maintain an excellent GPA. Secondly, choose a Master’s Program from a top business school and maintain top grades. To pursue a successful career as a Hedge Fund manager, MBA Concentrations might be:

1. General MBA – covers a variety of subject areas for anyone entering the business environment. Courses often include Marketing, Ethics, Business Law, and Managing in Economic Analysis. Curriculum covered will help develop the analytic and managerial skills needed to become a Hedge Fund Manager.
2. MBA in Business Marketing – part of managing a Hedge Fund requires the manager to market in a diverse population of investors and devise a plan in sales to procure investors. Hedge Fund Managers will need to raise assets from multiple investors including financial advisers, corporations, pensions, foundations and wealth management offices. A Master’s Degree in marketing will provide the fund manager skills to secure sound investors to run lucrative funds.
3. MBA in Business Management – earning a degree in Business Management would provide the student with a strong foundation in business management strategies. Within the program are areas of emphasis to fit desired career including hedge fund management.

Pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program

The CFA program is the preferred credential for the investment world. CFA charter requires passing 3 exams, possessing appropriate work experience, and acquiring professional references. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program is a professional credential offered internationally by the American-based CFA Institute. The CFA Charter is a professional credential and not an academic degree. By many in the financial world it is considered to be the most difficult test on Wall Street, with fewer than 20 percent of test takers completing it successfully.

Getting the correct education is key to future success as a Hedge Fund Manager. US New and World Report reports on an expected growth rate of 15.5 by the year 2020. Investing the time and money in your business education will allow a bright future with a high income and job security as a Hedge Fund Manager.