Performance Analyst

CFA General
#1

Hi all,

There are a lot of experienced professionals on these boards so I thought I would pose a question:

What is portfolio performance analysis like, in terms of interesting work, career path and potential salary?

To give some context, i’ve been working in a small investment management company (familiy run, 8 person office) for 4 years. I conduct investment reserach in a very niche area (junior mining equities) as well as some performance and attribution tasks. I wanted to get out of such a niche area of work, and from what i’ve seen of attribution and risk it’s something I would really like to go in to. I’ve had no luck getting into investment roles in the past as expertise in junior mining isn’t sought after in these markets. So I applied for some performance and attribution roles, and got offered one yesterday. Unfortunately, this is a pure performance calculation role and sits away from front office. It’s in a large firm and would get me fixed income exposure, but I worry that i’ll be forever labelled as ‘back/middle-office’ and won’t be able to move into a more front office risk or attribution role in the future. Does anyone have experience working in, or close to, one of these roles and know where it leads?

And one final question, would continuing to CFA 2 be usful in this role, or should I go for something like FRM?

Many thanks!

Matt

#2

Sorry, this should have been filed under ‘Carrers’. Anyone know how to move it?

#3

do copy paste bro…simple

#4

The performance group for my firm used to be on my floor a few years ago. One of the younger guys would always come over and talk to me. He hated his life.

#5

Why was that spunboy?

#6

My guess is because it sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry, but I could be wrong…

#7

I wouldn’t take the role.

Performance analytics is more closely aligned to the accountancy function than the investment function. It’s probably fine if you are a new graduate and that’s the only job you can find, but not if you have any experience.

I have seen quite a few strategy analyst roles floating about - with FRM, CFA, and some experience in performance attribution, you would be fairly well-suited and at least you get to participate in the investment function!

#8

I’ve pulled a gun from his month on more than one occasion.