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Tag: courses on financial analysis

How To Become A Financial Analyst With No Experience?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

 

A Financial Analyst performs the very vital job of evaluating market trends, setting-up long-term goals, financial policies and deciding upon when and what investors should be made for an investor’s or company’s profit. The sail of a company’s fortune rests majorly on the reports, suggestions a financial analyst provides on the rough seas that present markets ride. Such responsibility and dependence from a company bring in a heavy pay. But this also means that employers would demand experience. For an aspirant without experience, attaining this position could be a haze if not provided with directions. Following are some tips on this course:

Certification and skills

As is the case with any job, the aspirant must know his craft. One must have at least a bachelor’s degree — preferably in a finance-related major, such as accounting or economics.

Furthermore, it has become nearly compulsory that the aspirant has a certification in any one of- CFP, CFA (most popular), CFS, CIMA, or the CLU courses though MBA may fill the requirement of these certifications in many cases. Apart from this, the aspirant should have solid analytical, valuation, marketing and communication skills and anin-depth understanding of companies. He should also be capable of building financial models and working on software such as MS Excel, ERPs, and SAS. To help kick-start the career in this field, it is advisable to enrol in training programs that provide these certifications and skills. One can easily find financial analysis courses online. 

Expand your reach

Networking forms the roots of the financial world and therefore is one of the most important elements required to break into an industry. Networking can provide an analyst with a better assessment of a company and exposure to opportunities. The simplest and most effective way to network is to start with people one already knows and ask them to introduce to people at different companies. One can approach his/her university’s alumni for contacts in industries. One may also seek social media services such as LinkedIn for networking.

Follow current events

As an analyst works on data- past and present, the aspirant should keep himself fresh on the present scenario of markets, investment banks. One can simply read/watch the business news regularly and keep notes. This also helps in keeping up interesting conversations related to the industry when networking with people.

Start and Maintain a Financial Blog

The simple clause of sharing what you learn with the world is rewarding. While you improve your understanding of the topic, you also improve your networks, help others learn and remain motivated. A simple blog on WordPress, Medium can serve this purpose. One can use platforms like ‘SeekingAlfa’ to publish their research on the markets. These articles may be added as achievements on the resume and can make great discussion points in financial analyst interviews.

Use a trading simulator

Trading stock is a risky business. Before the aspirant can advise others regarding investments, he/she should have a practical understanding of the market dynamics. One can gain such practical intellect by using trading simulators such as ‘wall street survivor’ or ‘how the market works’. One may also use the demo accounts on online trading platforms to apply his/her theoretical knowledge. Furthermore, these help in testing strategies and coming up with innovative approaches.

Gain Experience from internships

Most investment firms offer summer internships to students, many of which even allow full-time job prospects. Such an internship can bring the aspirant closer to the industry. Even when the internship is unpaid, the experience gained in such field work is invaluable. One can seek his/her university’s career advisors for such opportunities.

Also Read: What Does Financial Analyst Do

How Do You Become a Financial Controller?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Are you great with number crunching and have excellent organizational skills, then this job should be what you are aiming at! A financial controller makes the most important decisions in the business with regard to the finances of the company. A trustworthy job as you will be handed the financial reins of the control of inflow and outflow of cash, you will definitely see the positive impact that your hard work will make on the company’s turnover and growth.
Some previous experience as an accountant or in a similar role of managing finance is a prerequisite to be considered for the job of a financial controller. The job demands a high level of knowledge, skill, dexterity, confidence, responsibility, and accountability. If this sounds like the path, you want to take read on to find out more about the roles and responsibilities, prerequisites, salary, hours of work and more.
What does a Financial Controller’s job entail? Are you cut out to embark on a career in that domain. Well as a financial controller you will be responsible for the accounting operations of the company and reporting to the Finance Director. Preparing financial reports, documenting accounts, corporate accounting, budgeting, forecasting- you will be involved in every aspect of the organization that remotely requires money. You will be managing the financial transactions of a company right from accounts payable to payroll. Irrespective of which industry you work in- every company needs a Mathematics wizard to manage their finances and with an interest and a financial analyst course you could be on the right path to becoming a Financial Controller.
You could complete a finance or accounting degree for e.g., Bachelors in Commerce or Bachelors in Business Management with a specialization in finance which would take you about years. You could also earn a Master’s degree to have an added advantage. If you do not want to take the university route, you can learn by enrolling in a Financial Analyst certification course offered online. Your employer may fund this for you while you train to become an accountant, and then you can work your way up the ladder. Financial Analysis courses in Hyderabad offer great study options for those who want to move progressively towards becoming a Financial Controller.
There is good news for those aiming to be Financial Controllers- it is a typical 9-5 job with weekends and bank holidays to yourself depending on the organization. Qualified financial controllers can earn anywhere between Rs 15,00,000 – Rs 35,00,000. The range could be higher depending on the size of the company and the experience of the candidate.
Once you gain a degree or even experience in accounting or a financial position, it is important to leverage your expertise and build your supervisory skills to become a Financial Controller. Being in control of finance means solving complex issues, dealing with pressurizing situations with an analytical mind. It is important to be exceptionally organised to meet deadlines and comply with regulations. Your primary responsibility will be to see the “bigger picture” and the financial health of the organization rather than just day-to-day numbers.
If you have your sights set on this role, then just get yourself a role in accounting or finance, get certified with a qualification, work hard and learn the ropes to prove yourself worthy of single-handedly managing the funds of a company.

What Training or Experience is Needed To Start Private Equity Fund?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

 

How to start a private equity fund

Today most PE firms are mid-size or small enterprises with 2 to 100s of employees. To start a PE fund is a well strategized and thought of venture. Managers should follow these essential steps when launching a private equity fund. The large PE’s include the well known TPG Capital, Carlyle Group, Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Apollo Management, and the Blackstone Group. The main steps of your roadmap to successfully starting a PE fund are detailed below.

Business strategy forming:
The first step is to outline the sectors of your business strategy. Make your financial plan unique and different from your competitors and normal benchmarks. Base the business strategy on documented research into a specific market or sector. Some examples are energy development, biotech or fintech companies. The baseline is that your fund goals are important to your investors.

Operations and Business Plan:
Just as in good plans, record yours with fund-time frames, calculated cash flow, capital raising periods, the time taken to exit investments in portfolio management, and your detailed 10-year plan. Let your strategy and action plan sew the goals recorded details together. Your strategy will include advisory board, think-tank setting up, back end operations, staff hiring, documenting policies, compliance measures and all details of the most major event of PE fund set up.

Investment Vehicle establishment:
After your early operations house is in order to move to establish the legal structure of the fund. Will it be a private limited, partnership, LLP, or LLC? Enrol the services of a good lawyer to form the articles of association or legalese involved in legally establishing the fund.

Fee Structure Determination:
Set out the provisions for management fees, carried interest and other rates for fund performance. Typically, annual management fee to fund manager is 2% of the investment committed capital received from investors
Te carried –interest should be about 20% above the anticipated return levels while the hurdle rate is 5% and the returns split in a 20:80 ratio, between you and investors. Ensure the setting up of norms of compliance, valuation, risk etc. for the PE fund.


Capital Raising:
Finally, you are ready for the PE capital raising stage.
You will need the:
• Offering memorandum
• Subscription agreement
• Partnership terms
• Custodial agreement
• Due diligence questionnaires

Ensure materials for marketing are ready well before raising capital. Severance letters of new fund managers are to be recorded. This is when you move into the crucial investor finding stage. Invest your funds and ensure capital commitments from your fund managers.

Your marketing panache and networking is the pivot of your fund. Ensure compliance in investments from accredited investors, institutional investors etc. Your fund managers can build on their portfolios and target their clients from there on.

To get a clear picture of how to go about setting up a Private Equity Fund one needs to research well, have a great network of clients and proper knowledge. Do short financial analysis courses online to revise and equip yourself with the small details required in setting up your fund. You can also do an accredited financial analysis course and obtain a certification that will stand you in good stead on your sojourn into your PE fund. Most of these courses will give you insights into theoretical and practical aspects that you have possibly forgotten. Best of all it allows you to move forward confidently. 

In parting, the roadmap is a sure way of finding your way through unchartered territory. PE funds are thriving, growing and out-classing other forms of funds.