Asset manager
Also known as: wealth management adviser, wealth manager, financial advisor, independent financial advisor, independent financial adviser, wealth managers
About this occupation
Asset managers invest the money of a client into financial assets, through vehicles such as investment funds or management of individual clients’ portfolios. This includes the management of the financial assets, within a given investment policy and risk framework, the provision of information, the assessment and monitoring of risks.
Essential skills and knowledge
- analyse financial risk
- financial analysis
- financial statements
- follow company standards
- liaise with managers
- financial markets
- handle financial transactions
- advise on risk management
- manage financial risk
- perform asset recognition
- enforce financial policies
- examine credit ratings
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Investment Fund Managers (O*NET 11-3031.03). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Manage investment funds to maximize return on client investments.
- Select specific investments or investment mixes for purchase by an investment fund.
- Monitor financial or operational performance of individual investments to ensure portfolios meet risk goals.
- Select or direct the execution of trades.
- Develop or implement fund investment policies or strategies.
- Perform or evaluate research, such as detailed company or industry analyses, to inform financial forecasting, decision making, or valuation.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning
US median pay: US$166,570 a year (2025), 841,710 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.2)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.1)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Financial Risk Specialists
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Financial Managers
- Credit Analysts
- Financial Examiners
- Treasurers and Controllers
- Management Analysts
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.