Careers in Quantitative Investment Management
If you enjoy quantitative topics and would like to apply mathematics to the financial markets, a quantitative investment career may be the right career path for you. A quantitative investment professional is an individual who researches, analyzes, and makes recommendations on quantitative tools and strategies to make investments. These professionals are also called quantitative economists, quantitative, financial analysts, or quantitative financial planners. A quantitative investment career may require a Ph.D. or other comparable degree. If your quantitative skills are not advanced yet but you want to be in the quantitative investment field, you may still want to consider interning or taking courses at an accredited college or university.
A quantitative accountant will also be responsible for managing funds for a firm or organization by employing various techniques to determine where those funds should go once they have been raised. This may involve finding investment opportunities for the firm in other countries and/or financial markets or looking for other options such as working with a derivatives marketplace. These individuals may be employed in a variety of financial or accounting firms and may be consulted on a regular basis to give quantitative advice regarding investments, equity and fixed income securities, and/or credit derivative instruments.
The United Kingdom has a number of options for individuals interested in finance jobs. Candidates interested in these jobs must have a strong background in accounting, finance, information technology, economics, and business administration. Finance jobs in the UK offer competitive wages, perks, and full-time or part-time positions. In the current climate, a number of international banks, brokerage firms, and investment companies have chosen to base their European headquarters in the UK. Therefore, the UK is a great place to work and study for finance graduates.
In terms of finance jobs in London, there are many available in varying fields and departments. In finance, the options are diverse and include investment banking, corporate finance, private finance, merchant banking, international finance, financial advisory, insurance and investment, securities, commodity and bond markets, and commercial banking. For people who want to take advantage of job opportunities in finance, the best option is to enroll in a finance graduate recruitment agency. These agencies offer jobs in finance, as well as jobs in related fields such as accountancy, banking, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, and private equity. The services that they provide include assisting candidates with the entire application and hiring process including interview and resume preparation, providing background and reference checking, facilitating connections between potential employers and candidates, and providing relevant financial service provider support.
A degree from a reputable institution will enable finance graduates to compete for high-level jobs in international markets. Graduates should also be prepared to work in both the public and private sectors. Many international banks are now hiring finance graduates, as the sector is undergoing rapid growth due to a number of factors including globalization. In the UK, several high-profile financial institutions, such as HSBC and Standard Chartered, have recruited high-caliber finance graduates. In the US, there are numerous investment and banking opportunities for finance graduates.
Finance graduates can pursue an array of career options, depending on their skills and preferences. Corporate finance graduates can look forward to work in corporate finance, banking, and investment. They can also look at working for hedge funds and venture capitalists. There is also a good employment scenario in financial consultancies, where finance graduates can provide objective and innovative advice. These professionals often operate as consultants or hired agents for larger financial firms.
A final option for finance graduates is in private investment firms. The role of these professionals involves advising individuals, families, and corporations on investments that will yield optimal returns. Investment professionals can find work in a variety of areas, including asset management, global investment banking, and venture capital. In many cases, finance graduates are able to find both positions that involve work at both companies and the investment firm. For this reason, it is no wonder that finance graduates have such a diverse job market.
