Moving to front office with CFA credential?

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diediemustpass

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Just a quick question to those working in front office: How to move to front office from back-office? Would a CFA credential + good GMAT (more than 700) + being a CAIA candidate (coz haven’t sit for exam yet) be very very helpful in the application process? If you are in the position that have hiring power, what will you look for from a candidate who has zero experience in front office position but only backoffice experience? Although people say market is up in Asia but the job market in Singapore is still so slow these days, and chance to have the resume of people working in back - office being considered for front-office position is still so minimal.
 
Assuming that GMAT & CAIA don’t help much, besides CFA & MBA degree from top school, is there anything that is as good to be considered ?
 
Most people who start in the back office never make it to the front office, not that there is anything wrong with working in the back office.
 
^ that is not true. Most people who start in the back office dont attempt to make it to the front. If you are an ops person with a CFA somebody will take a chance on you at some point.
 
HatTrick Wrote:
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> ^ that is not true. Most people who start in the
> back office dont attempt to make it to the front.
> If you are an ops person with a CFA somebody will
> take a chance on you at some point.
yea? are you speaking for extensive personal experience? There’s a huge amount of people in mid/back office that ALL want to move to the revenue side. And then tack on the huge amount of people in IT that are trying to do the same thing as well.
For trying to move to front office, the CFA can only help you.
 
mainly you need to show motivation to do business and earn money. I have been in front office for 12 years, did some hiring myself. it is partly about knowledge but mainly about willingness to do business depends if it is trading or sales the requirements differ. We have a colleague that came from bo and another one from mo and some other support units. when I meet someone from a support unit I can say after half an hour if he/she can make it to fo. If you want this, really want this you can achieve it. cfa can help
 
I worked at two large asset managers. I was back office in one, and on the Investment team at the other. 99.5% of the middle/back office folks I worked with had no desire to work outside of the 9-5 job they had. I dont doubt that most would have jumped at the pay raise, but most were not attracted to the work. Bottom line is - if you show the motivation and intelligence to complete the CFA you will land a spot on an investment team somewhere (especially in a place like Singapore).
 
HatTrick Wrote:
——————————————————-
> I worked at two large asset managers. I was back
> office in one, and on the Investment team at the
> other. 99.5% of the middle/back office folks I
> worked with had no desire to work outside of the
> 9-5 job they had. I dont doubt that most would
> have jumped at the pay raise, but most were not
> attracted to the work. Bottom line is - if you
> show the motivation and intelligence to complete
> the CFA you will land a spot on an investment team
> somewhere (especially in a place like Singapore).
If I worked FO in Singapore I would have the most ridiculous assortment of incredible suits and pro$titutes.
 
jcole21 Wrote:
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> If I worked FO in Singapore I would have the most
> ridiculous assortment of incredible suits and
> pro$titutes.
…and then you’d be caned!
 
Thank you all for your advices. Look like it would take about 1 year+ for me to be in the front office if I spot the chance. Need to complete the Level III & 4 years experience first, and then start everything again.
By the way, from now till Level 3 exam there’re still 10 months to go. There would be about 3 free months before I start learning for CFA exam again. Any suggestion for some activities/ courses that can increase the chance? Now I’m quite free though, only do some exercises for half marathon…
 
What if one were working in a small regional bank doing RM and FI investments? What is the best angle into an asset management position?
 
Interesting topic. I am currently in sales and business development at a consultancy. And I actually contemplate to move into an asset management firm. I am being told that it I should earn some experience in a mid/back office role before considering to move into a sales position in AM. Therefore, I imagine a move should not be uncommon.
I am interested to hear how people in sales positions deal with CFA imposed ethics, especially conflict of interest. Any resources or contacts on the matter are greatly appreciated.
 
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