Laffer Tengler Investments is a growing asset management firm with over $1.5 billion in assets. The company is looking to add an entry level Investment Associate to our Scottsdale location. The person will take on many operational aspects of the business and will provide support for the Investment and Relationships Management teams. The firm seeks someone detail-oriented, with a sense of urgency and initiative, and a working knowledge of the investment management business. This is an opportunity to work with two of the most well-known names in finance - Laffer and Tengler. The candidate must maintain the highest professional and ethical standards, be well-organized, service-oriented, and capable of performing under tight deadlines. Responsibilities include:
- Engagement in daily operations, including review of portfolio accounting systems, oversight of daily file feeds, trade settlement and file reconciliation, performance reporting, and composite construction and maintenance.
- Extract financial and performance information from internal and external reporting; evaluate and synthesize such information in relation to reporting objectives.
- Research and respond to internal and external client inquiries, which may be related to unexpected performance results. The Associate must possess the ability to research and reconcile underlying data that went into calculating performance.
- Monitor data quality in investment management and accounting systems; identify pain points and assist with process improvement and efficiency initiatives.
- Deliver exceptional, proactive service and become a trusted partner to internal teams in onboarding new client accounts and managing client relationships.
- Deepen knowledge of investment products and practices across equities, fixed income, and alternative investments, including separately managed accounts.
- Build strong relationships with internal colleagues from various offices, external custodians, and the firm's various vendors.
- Perform duties and special projects independently or with a team as required by the Relationship Management and Investment teams.
The individual in this role will be expected to seek and apply coaching and feedback.
Career Path:
The right person for this role will be able to pave their own path. The individual will initially report to members of the Investment Team, will be given responsibilities across the organization, and will eventually be able to specialize in areas that interest him or her. For the right person, there will be advancement opportunities in Relationship Management, Operations, Marketing, Investment Analysis, and/or Portfolio Management.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Completion of a four-year college degree in Finance or Economics.
- 1-3 years' experience working in accounting, finance, operations, back office, or client service, preferably in asset management or private wealth industries.
- Strong working knowledge of the investment management business, SMAs, Modern Portfolio Theory, statistics, and portfolio characteristics of equity and fixed income accounts.
- Ability to grasp financial and investment concepts, along with the ability to create, navigate, and maintain complex spreadsheets (i.e., Excel skills).
- Initiative to create and implement efficient workflows and processes.
- A passion for investing and the ability to communicate intelligently with high-net-worth individuals about their investment portfolios.
- Experience with portfolio accounting and reporting software (see below).
- Interest or progression in the CFA program.
- FINRA Series 65 (or ability to obtain within 12 weeks of hire).
- This is an in-office position - the individual must be in or willing to relocate to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Meticulous, versatile, resourceful, and impeccable follow-through.
- Detailed understanding of how P&L components are calculated across all security types.
- Experience in analyzing investment performance, risk metrics, portfolio analytics, and preparing reports and presentations.
- Software experience: Advent, APX, Black Diamond, Evestment, Morningstar, PSN, and/or Netx360 (with preference for Black Diamond and Morningstar skills).
What we offer:
- A collaborative environment that enables you to step outside your role to add value wherever you can.
- A culture of inclusion that values each employee's unique perspective.
- Opportunities to grow your expertise, take on new challenges, and reinvent yourself - without leaving the firm.
- High-quality benefits program emphasizing good health, financial security, and peace of mind.