Portfolio managers require significant formal education. Learn about the degree programs, job duties and certification options to see if this is the right career for you.

Essential Information

$91,620 (for all financial analysts)

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Education Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is the standard level of education for entry-level financial analyst positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a finance-related field, like accounting, economics, finance or business administration (www.bls.gov ). Courses in advanced math and statistics are also recommended.

A master’s degree in business administration or finance also might be required to become a portfolio manager. These programs typically take 2-3 years to complete and include advanced courses on asset management, hedge funds, options pricing and bond valuation.

Career Information

According to the BLS, entry-level portfolio management positions are typically available at portfolio management firms and investment banks. These novice positions usually take the form of analyst training programs and temporary employment on a project team. Successful candidates can earn a permanent position and more responsibilities. The would-be portfolio manager can also begin his or her career as a financial analyst, working to be promoted to portfolio manager.

The duties of a portfolio manager include supervising a team of financial analysts and creating a financial portfolio for a company or client. Portfolio managers help decide the mix of industries, products and regions in which they invest. Portfolio managers are also expected to lead investor meetings and be able to alter portfolios quickly, reacting to market changes.

Salary and Job Outlook Information

According to the BLS, financial analysts, including portfolio managers, made a mean annual salary of $91,620 per year as of 2013. The BLS projects that employment for this group of workers will increase by 16% over the 2012-2022 decade.

Certification and Licensure

Some portfolio managers choose to earn the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation offered by the CFA Institute (www.cfainstitute.org ). To be eligible for the CFA credential, candidates must have a combination of work experience and formal education. The qualified candidate must also pass three exams that cover a wide variety of topics, including quantitative analysis, professional ethics, risk management and portfolio management basics.

Portfolio managers might be required to obtain a federal license if they deal in the sale of securities. Licensing is done through the employer.