Mutual Fund Analysts

Employers

Approximately 347,400 financial analysts are employed in the United States; only a small number work for mutual fund companies or investment advisory firms. Job opportunities are available throughout the U.S., but are best in large cities. MutualFundDirectory.org reports that the mutual fund companies with the largest assets under management (as of March 2022) were:

1. Black Rock Funds
2. Vanguard
3. Charles Schwab
4. JPMorgan
5. BarclayHedge
6. Fidelity Investments
7. State Street Global Advisors
8. Capital Group
9. BNY Mellon (Dreyfus)
10. Amundi Asset Management

In addition to working at mutual funds, analysts can find many opportunities with government agencies, at nonprofits, and at insurance firms, banks, and other large companies. Some financial analysts are self-employed.

Starting Out

Some analysts get their first jobs after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from a prestigious university or completing an MBA. Others first obtain experience in the banking or alternative investments industries. Another option is to start out as a research assistant in the mutual fund industry. These entry-level workers perform administrative functions and basic research to support the work of analysts and portfolio managers. Promising assistants may be promoted to research associate positions and then, eventually, to analyst positions.

Job-search strategies include applying for jobs at mutual fund company Web sites, networking at in-person events and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, working with recruiters, and using the services of one’s college career services office.