Fund Administrator vs. Fund Manager: What Are the Differences?

Fund administrators and fund managers are both important roles in the financial industry. If you’re interested in working with investments and securities, then you may want to learn more about these positions. In this article, we compare and contrast fund administrators and fund managers, including their responsibilities, education requirements and average salaries.

What is a Fund Administrator?

A Fund Administrator is responsible for the financial reporting of a mutual fund or other investment vehicle. They work with the fund’s manager to produce accurate and timely reports which are then distributed to shareholders. The administrator also reconciles the fund’s holdings with its records on a regular basis. They maintain records of all transactions and produce reports detailing the fund’s activity. Fund Administrators also help to ensure that the fund is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

What is a Fund Manager?

A Fund Manager is responsible for making investment decisions for a mutual fund, hedge fund or other type of investment fund. They research and analyze companies and industries to identify potential investments and determine when to buy or sell stocks, bonds or other securities. Fund Managers also develop and implement strategies to grow the value of the fund. They regularly report on the fund’s performance to shareholders or clients. Some Fund Managers also manage portfolios of individual investors.

Fund Administrator vs. Fund Manager

Here are the main differences between a fund administrator and a fund manager.

Job Duties

Fund administrators fulfill a wide variety of duties, all related to the administration and operations of a fund. These professionals are responsible for ensuring that a fund is legally established and registered, then creating and implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulations. They also oversee the bookkeeping and record keeping for a fund, which involves processing transactions and recording financial data.

Fund managers have a more narrow range of job responsibilities, as their focus is on the management of a fund rather than its administrative functions. A fund manager’s primary duty is to select investments for a fund, either by choosing individual securities or entire investment portfolios. They may also be responsible for monitoring a portfolio, reviewing performance data and making changes to a portfolio based on those reviews.

Job Requirements

Fund administrators typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance to enter the field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree as well. Additionally, fund administrators must have experience working in the financial industry before they can be considered for most positions. They might start their careers as accountants or financial analysts before moving into a fund administrator role.

To become a fund manager, you’ll likely need at least a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field, such as economics, finance or accounting. However, some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree, especially if they want to manage larger funds. Fund managers also need several years of experience working in the financial industry before they can be considered for most positions. They might start their careers as financial analysts or investment bankers before moving into a fund manager role.

Work Environment

Fund administrators and fund managers typically work in different environments. Fund administrators usually work for financial institutions, such as banks or investment firms. They may also work for the government or a nonprofit organization. Fund administrators often spend their days working in an office setting, but they may travel to meet with clients or attend conferences.

Fund managers typically work for investment companies, hedge funds or private equity firms. These professionals may also work for brokerage firms, insurance agencies or other financial services companies. A fund manager’s job can be more fast-paced than that of a fund administrator because they’re constantly meeting with investors and discussing new opportunities.

Skills

Both fund administrators and fund managers need to have excellent math skills. They use math when they are calculating investment values, performance metrics and fees. They also both need to be able to use computer programs to track investments, create reports and communicate with clients.

Fund administrators typically need to have strong attention to detail because they are responsible for ensuring accuracy in financial reporting. They also need to have good organizational skills to keep track of deadlines, client information and paperwork. Fund managers need to be able to think strategically about where to invest money and how to grow the value of a portfolio. They also need to be able to take risks while still protecting the interests of their clients.

Salary

Fund administrators earn an average salary of $67,464 per year, while fund managers earn an average salary of $92,932 per year. Both of these salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.