Asset Manager

Asset managers manage and monitor a company’s assets. This could include property, money, stocks, shares and bonds, commodities, equities and other financial products. As an asset manager, you’d aim to maximise your employer’s return on investment. You’d ensure that their projects improve income and financial stability.

Office
Digital-IT
Higher qualifications
Numerical-analytical

What does an asset manager do?

As an asset manager, you will be responsible helping to maximise the profitability of the business through analysis inventory and supplier pricing. You could also be generating reports based on this, and passing this information on to other decision-makers.

The job role of an asset manager involves the following duties:

Maximising profitability
Running and analysing inventories of all assets
Liaising with suppliers to obtain the best price for assets
Investing money for upcoming projects
Working with asset management systems and tracking technologies
Ensuring financial records are up-to-date and accurate
Monitoring materials, workforce, tools, equipment and supplies
Reporting on finance and forecasting budgets
Working in an office and making occasional site visits.

How to become an asset manager

There are several routes to becoming an asset manager. You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a university course or graduate training scheme, or by taking industry-recognised qualifications. If you already have relevant skills or experience you may be able to apply directly to an employer or train on the job.

You should explore each route to becoming an asset manager to find out which is the right one for you.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University/graduate training scheme

You could complete an undergraduate degree in building and construction, business studies, finance, statistics, economics, management or accounting. For this, you’ll need 2 - 3 A levels (or equivalent), including maths.

Afterwards, you could apply to a graduate trainee scheme. You could work for a bank or construction firm as a junior or assistant asset manager.

If you already have a relevant first degree, you could do a postgraduate qualification to improve your employability.

Industry qualifications

The Institute of Asset Management (IAM) offers courses which cover the basics of asset management. You do not need any existing qualifications for these.

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) also offers qualifications and training courses. These are both for experienced professionals and school leavers interested in financial careers.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Business management skills
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
Able to use your initiative
Able to accept criticism and work well under pressure
Be flexible and open to change
Analytical thinking skills
Able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Qualifications

England

To become an asset manager:

Some may require previous experience within a construction firm as a junior or assistant asset manager

You could complete a:

Undergraduate degree in building and construction, business studies, finance, statistics, economics, management or accounting.

Scotland

To become an asset manager:

Some may require previous experience within a construction firm as a junior or assistant asset manager

You could complete a:

Undergraduate degree in building and construction, business studies, finance, statistics, economics, management or accounting.

Wales

To become an asset manager:

Some may require previous experience within a construction firm as a junior or assistant asset manager

You could complete a:

Undergraduate degree in building and construction, business studies, finance, statistics, economics, management or accounting.

How much could you earn as an asset manager?

The expected salary for an asset manager varies as you become more experienced.

Newly trained asset managers can earn from £31,000
Trained asset managers with experience can earn up to £73,000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed and industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

You could work for a construction firm, a bank or another financial service, supporting businesses or individuals.

Some asset managers specialise in property or investment management. With experience, you could progress into senior financial roles and earn a higher salary.

As an asset manager, you could also become an accountant or financial consultant. Similarly, you could move into asset management if you have experience as an accountant.