High School
You’ll need to earn stellar grades in high school in order to be accepted to a top-tier college—the starting point for the majority of hedge fund managers. In high school, take classes in economics, business, finance, accounting, statistics, computer science, English, speech, psychology, foreign language, and social studies.
Postsecondary Education
Hedge fund managers often have a master’s degree or even a Ph.D. in finance, mathematics, economics, financial engineering, quantitative finance, programming, marketing, or business administration. Others have advanced degrees in a specialty such as engineering or accounting.
According to an eFinancialCareers.com analysis of its curriculum vita database, the following U.S. colleges are the most popular for hedge fund professionals: Columbia University, New York University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, University of California, Harvard University, University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, Princeton University, and Yale University.
Certification
Hedge fund managers, especially those at small firms that don’t have a large support staff, might choose to earn certificates in compliance, investor relations, and risk management to diversify their skill sets. These certificates are offered by colleges and universities and professional associations. For example,Seneca College offers a certificate in investor relations. The University of California-Irvine and the Institute of Risk Management provide certificates in risk management. And the University of South Florida offers undergraduate and graduate certificates in compliance.
The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Associationoffers the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program. In this online, self-paced course, you’ll learn about traditional vs. alternative investments, hedge funds, investment returns and risks, due diligence, risk management, and other topics. Visit https://caia.org/programs/fundamentalsfor more information.
Other Education or Training
Many associations provide professional development opportunities to hedge fund professionals that focus on investment strategies, accounting and auditing practices, compliance and regulatory issues, risk management practices, and U.S. and international financial markets. These organizations include the New York Alternative Investment Roundtable, CFA Institute, International Association for Quantitative Finance,Investments and Wealth Institute, and CFA Society New York.
FAQs
Hedge fund managers often have a master's degree or even a Ph. D. in finance, mathematics, economics, financial engineering, quantitative finance, programming, marketing, or business administration. Others have advanced degrees in a specialty such as engineering or accounting.
Do you need a CFA to manage a hedge fund? ›
A hedge fund manager is a financial adviser who oversees investment accounts, leverages advanced financial software and raises expenditure capital. You can become a hedge fund manager by obtaining at least a bachelor's degree, earning CFA certification and gaining experience in the finance industry.
Is it hard to get hired by a hedge fund? ›
Hedge funds employ some of the best-paid business professionals anywhere, but landing your first job in the industry is no cakewalk. Building a hedge fund career takes determination, networking stamina, and a fierce competitive streak. Here are some steps to help get you to that interview and then land that job.
How many hedge fund managers have CFA? ›
Among the community of hedge fund professionals on our database, however, the CFA is the most commonly held designation outside of a higher education degree - 20% of people have studied at least one level of the qualification.
What degree is best for hedge funds? ›
degree in finance is ideal for a variety of hedge fund jobs, but your major will matter. Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics, accounting, physics, computer science, and even engineering are also useful, given the recent rise in algorithmic trading.
Do hedge fund managers need a series 7? ›
Hedge fund managers are acting investors, so they do not need to take FINRA's Series 7 exam. However, they may need to get a Series 65 license or abide by any other licensing requirement set by their state. They will also need a business license to practice.
Is CFA or CAIA better for hedge funds? ›
Sector Preference: Choose the CFA if you're drawn to a broad range of finance sectors like banking or asset management. Opt for the CAIA if you're fascinated by niche areas such as hedge funds or private equity.
Can you be a portfolio manager without a CFA? ›
Most employers require portfolio managers to hold financial analyst certifications. The most prominent certification in the field and in demand by employers is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation awarded by the CFA Institute.
Is CAIA equivalent to a master's degree? ›
In short, both CFA and CAIA are equally difficult in the sense that they are both comparable to a Master's degree course. That said, it's important to note that CFA exams have 3 levels, whereas CAIA exam has only 2 levels to pass.
Do hedge funds hire straight out of college? ›
After earning your degree, completing an internship, finding a mentor, expanding your network and creating a resume, you can apply for a position working for a hedge fund. Research companies that best fit your goals and expectations and look for open entry-level positions.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $242,849 and as low as $32,804, the majority of salaries within the Hedge Fund jobs category currently range between $66,587 (25th percentile) to $117,017 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $165,000 annually in California.
Do hedge funds pay well? ›
The top individual Portfolio Managers can earn hundreds of millions or billions each year. Hedge funds offer a much higher pay ceiling than investment banking, (sometimes) better hours and work/life balance, and the chance to do more interesting work.
Is CFA worth it for hedge funds? ›
Pursuing CFA Level 2 while working at a hedge fund can be beneficial for career advancement and expanding your knowledge base. It demonstrates commitment to professional development and can enhance your credibility in the industry.
Why are hedge fund managers so rich? ›
Hedge fund managers typically earn above-average compensation, often from a two-and-twenty fee structure. Hedge fund managers typically specialize in a particular investment strategy that they then use to power their fund portfolio's mandate for profits.
How many CEOS have a CFA? ›
On the other hand, the CFA Institute reports that only 7 percent of all its graduates are working as chief executive officers of big corporations. The most popular career for CFAs is portfolio manager, with 22 percent of individuals working in this position being charterholders.
Is a hedge fund manager a hard job? ›
On average, the top hedge fund managers usually work around 40 hours a week. This is a hectic job profile that needs constant monitoring and active engagement. The highest-paid hedge fund managers can even put up to 70 hours a week.
How much do hedge fund managers get? ›
Fees: the fees charged by hedge fund managers to investors for managing the fund can be up to 40% Bonuses: hedge fund managers can make up to 25% of the profits they bring in at a hedge fund as a bonus.
How many hours do hedge fund managers make? ›
The work hours for hedge fund traders can vary, and the industry is known for its demanding schedule. On average, hedge fund traders often work long hours, ranging from 50 to 80 hours per week. The specific workload can depend on the fund's strategy, market conditions, and individual firm policies.
