Making the jump from Analyst to PM/RM

To those in the field of Asset Management/Wealth Management. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how they made the jump from analyst to PM/RM in the wealth management field. I'm a fairly recent college grad, and currently an analyst at a boutique wealth management firm and I'm planning for my future with regards to how I should direct my efforts to make the jump from analyst to PM. I have heard a lot of differing opinions, i.e., go back to b-school and get your MBA, get your CFA®, CFP, seek sponsorships for Series 7/66/ etc, or just bypass additional education for now and put all your focus into networking hard and effectively. Any opinions are more than welcome, if you were in my shoes planning to get ahead how would you go about it? Thanks

5 Comments
 

"PM" in the wealth management field basically means being a salesperson, so no you don't need to get a MBA. You should probably build experience at your current firm and see where that takes you. Eventually, your current firm may allow you to handle more of the relationship management side of things, or even take on some accounts on your own. If they don't, you could always move to another firm with such opportunities down the road.

In terms of credentials, you should do your best to earn the CFP designation. At some point you'll probably need some of the series licensing which your firm should sponsor.

 

Thanks! That all makes a lot of sense. I'm definitely going to build up my experience here for a few years, I might try to find my own potential clients and introduce them to my firm to get my foot in the door on the relationship side. My firm currently won't sponsor for the series exams, but do you think that's a good thing to propose they offer to me?

 
Best Response

Once you have a few years of experience it's a good idea to begin raising the subject. I wouldn't do it if you have 1 year experience.

The point I'm making here is that long term almost all of the value in the wealth management business is captured by the relationship managers. Pretty much everyone else (i.e. back office, "analysts" at wealth management firms, etc.) are viewed as cost centers and are compensated accordingly. If you want to stay in wealth management, you need to move into a relationship role long term. If you want to focus on research / financial analysis, you need to move to an investment manager.

 

You move up by having more AUM and more clients. You should look into joining a team if you can, alot of olde guys are transitioning out and they have to give their book to someone.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

Labore modi labore sit quo eligendi id. Eum at hic in nemo. Sit architecto amet consequatur ut. Mollitia in quis ullam pariatur possimus tempora sit. Neque et eveniet quia dicta architecto veniam quas incidunt. Veniam cum vel quo debitis. Adipisci earum aperiam nisi consequatur voluptas.

Qui cupiditate accusamus molestiae dolores totam qui. Est illo at minima sapiente quas fugiat labore. Culpa voluptatibus cupiditate est sint.

Error dolorem adipisci sunt. Quae vero consequatur sunt deleniti officiis fugit voluptatum.

Voluptas praesentium adipisci omnis modi. Odio facere quod sunt repudiandae. Rem sit repellat saepe praesentium rerum ut assumenda. Architecto vel non quia voluptatem officiis odio et sint. Et est odio tempore dolore. Similique ea sint accusamus occaecati doloremque qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”