The lowdown
Financial analysts help investors decide where to put their wealth. With specialised knowledge in accounting, finance, capital markets, and investment strategies, these professionals can help you reap good returns on your investments. For instance, an equity analyst working for a knowledge process outsourcing firm does primary research by talking to industry experts, and regulatory bodies to write reports for their clients
Clock Work
The average day of a portfolio manager:
9-9.30am: Reach office. Decide changes in the portfolio based on the performance of international markets
10am: Interact with financial analyst in the team to decide which stock to invest in
3.30pm: Lunch
4pm: Analyse portfolio
5pm: Discuss analysis with boss
8-9pm: Go home
The Payoff
Pay levels swing from one organisation to another. The salary for fresh CFAs is about R4 lakh a year but with experience, it can rise to a crore-plus annually
The Payoff
Pay levels swing from one organisation to another. The salary for fresh CFAs is about R4 lakh a year but with experience, it can rise to a crore-plus annually
Skills/TRAITS
. Strong background in accountancy and working knowledge of maths
. Good analytical skills
. Interest in financial investments
Getting There?
For a CFA qualification from the US-based CFA Institute, you need to have a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree or be in the final year of a bachelor’s programme at the time of registration, or have four years of qualified, professional relevant work experience or have a combination of work and college experience that totals at least four years (Note: summer, part-time, and internship positions do not qualify). ICFAI University, on the other hand, asks for only a UG degree for its two-year programme. It also offers a one-year accelerated track for chartered accountants, cost and worls accountants, company secretaries and certain MBAs (finance)
Institutes
. CFA Institute, United States of America
www.cfainstitute.org
. ICFAI University, Tripura
www.iutripura.edu.in, www.icfai.org
Pros and Cons
. Financially rewarding
. Intellectually interesting
. High-pressure job. Long work hours
. Challenging and competitive work