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Careers

FAQs

CAREERS

  • Are there many opportunities in the funds industry for career development?

    The investment funds industry is one of the fastest growing industries globally and consequently in Ireland. As the industry grows, more and more career development opportunities are available. At present many of the investment funds industry companies have a variety of opportunities for internal progression depending on the skills and performance of the individual. From the numerous career paths and profiles outlined within this booklet you can see that with hard work and good performance it is possible to progress very quickly within the industry, from entry level to management within a few years.

  • How competitive are the salaries in the funds industry?

    The rewards and compensation available in the funds industry are seen as very attractive. Salaries are offered in line with educational qualifications and experience and are generally reviewed on an annual basis to ensure they remain competitive. As well as attractive salaries, most companies offer some or all of the following benefits: > Pension schemes > Health cover > Educational support > Bonus > Share option schemes > Lunch facilities > Club subscriptions > Preferential personal loans > Active Sports and Social Committees

  • How do I apply for a job in the funds industry?

    Some companies take part in the ‘milk round’ or graduate fairs but many take direct applications through their websites or directly through their HR department. You can check individual companies to verify their processes and any relevant closing dates. The Irish Funds Industry Association (IFIA) website, www.irishfunds.ie, has a link on its homepage ‘job opportunities in funds’which hosts links to all of the IFIA member companies. This link can be used to view industry companies recruiting in Ireland and it enables you to link directly to the careers section of those companies. The website also contains contact details for the industry companies.

  • How do I find out more about a career in the funds industry or current job opportunities?

    You can visit the careers websites of our member companies through the IFIA Jobs Portal. Contact details of our member companies are also provided on the membership list of the IFIA website. Information about career opportunities in each of the member firms can be obtained by contacting the relevant company.

  • I don’t have any funds experience, how easy would it be for me to get a position in the investment funds industry?

    Many companies have induction, on the job training and training programmes which enable new employees who have no prior funds experience to secure positions in the funds industry. The IFIA run training courses for those new to the industry in spring and autumn across several function areas at an introductory level for example ‘Introduction to alternative investments’, ‘Introduction to fund administration’, ‘Introduction to compliance’ etc. As well as these, the IFIA in conjunction with the Institute of Bankers runs a Certificate and Diploma in Investment Funds. Also, as each of the companies operating in the funds industry is a business entity in its own right, there are many opportunities in information technology and the business support areas e.g. human resources, marketing, business development and training.

  • I have been working in a different industry for the last few years. Would I be suitable for a role in the funds industry?

    A lot of companies have positions where you do not need specific funds industry experience as there is a lot of in-house training provided, along with formal courses that introduce people to the funds industry.

  • Is it necessary to have a foreign language to work in the investment funds industry?

    No. There are plenty of opportunities available in the funds industry where a foreign language is not required. However, there are certain functions in the industry where language skills would be of benefit e.g. if a fund was being distributed in Germany/France, the transfer agent would have an advantage if they could provide a service whereby the investors in the fund could make their enquiries in German/French. A foreign language is also very useful if you are involved in registering funds in other jurisdictions.

  • Is it true that career opportunities in the investment funds industry are only for graduates?

    No, while there are opportunities for graduates, the funds industry also welcomes applications from, and has many opportunities for, non graduates, school leavers, ‘back to work’ candidates, employees from other industries especially the financial services industry. The required skills for a successful career in the funds industry include communication skills, computer literacy, organisational skills, good time management and attention to detail and accuracy.

  • What are the best college courses for me to take if I want to work in the funds industry?

    There are no specific post leaving certificate or college courses designed to prepare people to work in the funds industry. Many people do Business, Law or Arts degrees which are a good start and then they tend to specialise when they get into the industry.

  • What are the various stages of the recruitment process before getting a job in the funds industry?

    The recruitment process will differ between the various companies, but after submitting a CV or responding to a particular job advertisement, the recruitment process will normally include some or all of the following: > Interviews > Aptitude testing > Consideration of references > Pre-employment medical

  • What is the profile and background of those working in the funds industry?

    The funds industry is a very young industry, attracting and retaining young people. At present there are over 9,000 people working in the funds industry, of which over 70% are under 30 years of age. The backgrounds of these people are wide and varied and include: some who have worked in other areas of the financial services industry e.g. retail banks, insurance, etc; qualified and part qualified accountants; business and non business graduates; certificate and diploma holders from PLC Colleges and Institutes of Technology; and school leavers.

  • What qualifications or further study would I need to do in order to progress my career within the funds industry?

    This depends on which area of the funds industry you want to specialise in. Many new employees to the industry complete the Investment Funds Certificate or Diploma exams which are run by the Institite of Bankers in association with the IFIA and this broadens their understanding of the funds industry. Others do the accounting exams if they want to specifically work in fund accounting or finance roles and others do the Diploma in Compliance if that is the area they wish to specialise in.

JOB QUERIES

  • Are there any opportunities in the investment funds industry to work overseas?

    The majority of companies operating in the funds industry have operating centres in various other locations around the world. Although it is not necessarily a natural progression, there certainly are opportunities available to people to be seconded to or to move on a more permanent basis to another location. Some roles in business development or client services will also require travel to visit current and/or prospective clients, conferences etc.