Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

The Work

Investment fund managers manage equity and fixed income funds, currency or property on behalf of clients who are looking for the greatest possible return on their investment.  
 
Clients may include insurance policy holders, investors in insurance companies, holders of unit and investment trusts and contributors to pension funds. The amounts of money involved can be quite considerable and the responsibility is great as poor investments can lose clients' money.  
 
The work involves developing and implementing effective fund investment policies and strategies. There is usually also an element of client service. Fund managers need to maintain a broad knowledge of the relevant investment markets.  
 
There are also likely to be some staff management responsibilities.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Manage investment funds to maximise 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.
• Present investment information, such as product risks, fees, or fund performance statistics.
• Develop, implement, or monitor security valuation policies.
• Meet with investors to determine investment goals or to discuss investment strategies.
• Attend investment briefings or consult financial media to stay abreast of relevant investment markets.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

To become an investment fund manager you would generally need extensive financial management experience. Most start their career as an investment analyst or as a trainee fund manager, progressing to fund manager within two or three years. Training is mainly on-the-job supplemented by short courses. There are a number of courses offered by the universities that provide a basis for a career in the financial services.

Training & Development Pathways

Further education can help you progress and there are both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business and management which can support you in your career.

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Accounts Technician, and Management courses in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Commerce, and Accounting around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Finance, Sales, Lean Sigma management Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Economics, Maths & Statistics, Accounts & Finance NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Accounts, Management, Financial advice NFQ level 9

International Financial Services Skillnet Network 

Irish Banking & Payments federation 

Financial Services Union

The 30% club: Growth Through Diversity 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €55k - €150k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
CPL/ Sigmar / Brightwater/ Morgan McKinley/ Azon

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Emloyment growth over the five-year period was negative for this occupation, with employment declining marginally between 2021 and 2022. Employment permits issued in 2022 related to fund and account managers. The data provides no evidence of issues in relation to this occupation.

Financial Analyst 

Employment levels have grown annually since 2018, with particularly strong growth between 2021 and 2022 of an additional 5,500 persons. Almost all employment is concentrated in the financial activities sector. The share of non-Irish citizens employed, at 23%, was above the national average of 19% and was the highest share across the business/financial occupations.

The CSO Census data for 2022 shows that finance and investment analysts/advisers account for the largest share of employment in this group at over 70%, with insurance underwriters and brokers making up the remainder. Employment permits issued primarily related to various financial analyst roles in the financial sector. Although employment grew strongly in 2022, a 20% fall in online job adverts (particularly for finance/investment analysts) would signal that this growth rate may slow.

• FSU Financial Services Union (former IBOA)

  • Stephen Street Upper, Dublin 8, D08 DR9P
  • (0)1 4755908
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Banking and Payments Federation Ireland

  • Nassau House, Nassau St. Dublin 2
  • (01) 671 5311
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here