Asset Management - Asset Allocation Team

Hi guys,

I have an upcoming interview in an asset allocation role. However, I don't really have a very good idea of what the position entails, and couldn't find much in earlier treads.

Was wondering if any kind soul can shed some light on the asset allocation function in an Asset Management firm. This is an entry level role and I'm seeking guidance on the following:

  • Daily work scope
  • Technical skills/Quantitative capabilities required
  • Likely questions to be asked for such a role

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Hi here's the chunk...

  • Supports and improves the research & trading effort by assisting in the portfolio oversight effort and by improving the availability, and visibility of data and analysis, thereby improving the sales and client service results, as well as improving investment decisions, investment policy decisions and investment compliance.
  • Assist the business manager in streamlining the trading workflow.
  • Helps the team to improve new methods of gathering, analyzing, presenting and reporting investment performance, performance attribution, portfolio management processes, portfolio analytics, trading analytics.
  • Maintains a superior level of accuracy and quality control at all times.
  • Assists in the project for the portfolio management application (RAD).
  • Assists with the creation, processes and distribution of reports, charts, graphs and data extracts.
  • Verifies the accuracy of data in various monthly and quarterly reports produced by the department.
  • Responds to specific requests for investment and portfolio-related data.
  • Assist with building and maintenance of quantitative research database.

Thanks!

 
Best Response

It doesn't sound to me like there is going to be too much quantitative or technical involved beyond just understanding some basic quant metrics like what attribution is and how it's calculated. I doubt you would actually calculate it, and there is likely a system that does so for you, but knowing what it is will probably be relevant. It sounds like you would be doing a lot of ad hoc reporting, checking data against each other, and assisting in the creation of some reports. There would most likely be templates for what you're doing and you would just plug in the recent numbers that you source from various other places else to complete the report.

As far as questions go, i would think they are going to be more straightforward and general. For example, stuff about their strategy. If they are a value investor, a long/short investor, etc, what are those strategies and how does it essentially work. Why do you want to work in AM, why do you want to work here, etc. Nothing in the description screams to me that it takes a really deep background in finance, just a general understanding.

Good luck with your interview.

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed." Theodore Roosevelt
 

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