How to Become A Hedge Fund Manager In South Africa

A hedge fund manager is a financial company or individual that employs professional portfolio managers and analysts in order to establish hedge funds. Hedge fund managers typically earn above average compensation, often from a two-and-twenty fee structure from investors.

What Does a Hedge Fund Manager Do?

To understand what a hedge fund manager does, you first have to understand what a hedge fund is. Put briefly, a hedge fund is a pool of funds given by typically high net-worth individuals (those with a net worth of at least $1 million or annual income at or exceeding R 3022619.62) to a manager who will invest those funds in a way meant to minimize risk while maximizing returns.

Is it hard to start a hedge fund?

With a little bit of capital, it is relatively easy to start a hedge fund. However, implementing risk controls, growing assets, hiring staff, and running the organization as a profitable business while producing positive performance is very challenging.

Below are steps to Become A Hedge Fund Manager In South Africa

Get the Necessary Education

To even consider becoming a hedge fund manager, you’ll typically need a few educational qualifications. These vary from state to state, but the bare minimum would be a bachelor’s in business or accounting.

A master’s in finance, accounting, or business administration may also be necessary or, at the very least, helpful in opening up the path to becoming a hedge fund manager.

Make the Industry Your Hobby

While getting the right education goes a long way, having the drive needed to be a successful hedge fund manager means making the job your passion. Fostering lifetime habits through subscribing to hedge fund newsletters, regularly reading articles and books on the subject, and joining hedge fund associations go a long way in giving you a handle on the industry, who its major players are, and what makes or breaks a manager.

Cut Your Teeth in the Business

Once you know a bit about the industry, you should seek out internships at hedge funds. Even if you can only fit in time for a part-time position, it still has a useful role in acquainting you with the first-hand workings of the industry and connect you with those that could widen the door into a real position

Acquire a CFA/CAIA

While not necessary for those with any of the aforementioned master’s degrees, a CFA/CAIA is another way to prove your qualifications to employers. Getting these will require passing a series of exams and filling out an application that verifies your knowledge of the industry, either through experience or education.

Distinguish Yourself as an Analyst

Short of starting your own, it’s virtually impossible to enter immediately into a managerial position at a hedge fund. If you’ve completed all the aforementioned steps, you’ll have a shot at getting a position as an analyst at one of these funds. By demonstrating your skill in this position, you can move up the ranks to a senior analyst and then get promoted or apply to the role of the hedge fund manager.

How many years does it take to become a hedge fund manager?

Aspiring hedge fund managers may work toward the CFA certification if they hold at least a bachelor’s degree, four years of related work experience and successfully pass three financial exams.

How do I become a fund manager in South Africa?

A diploma or degree is usually necessary for entry into the profession of fund management. Qualifications in business studies, management, statistics, finance, mathematics, accounting or economics can be helpful, as can an MBA or similar professional qualification.

How much do you need to start a hedge fund in South Africa?

A minimum investment of between Fifty Thousand Rand (R50 000) and One Hundred Thousand Rand (R100 000) will be prescribed. It is proposed that the following new terms be introduced into the collective investment scheme environment: 3.1.

How much money do you need to become a hedge fund manager?

1 2 Hedge fund general partners and managers often create high minimum investment requirements. It is not uncommon for a hedge fund to require at least R 1511309.81 or even as much as $1 million to participate.

Is it hard to start a hedge fund?

With a little bit of capital, it is relatively easy to start a hedge fund. However, implementing risk controls, growing assets, hiring staff, and running the organization as a profitable business while producing positive performance is very challenging.

Do hedge fund managers need to be good at math?

A degree in a numerate subject like business, economics, accounting or maths is a good fit. An MSc could also be beneficial as could a CFA. College graduates at hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen’s investment school Point72 Academy.2

Is it easy to be a hedge fund manager?

Becoming a hedge fund manager typically requires extensive investment knowledge, many years of financial experience and a passion for helping others meet their investment goals. Though it takes an extensive amount of work, the outcome can be rewarding and financially beneficial.

Are hedge funds legal in South Africa?

It is prohibited for any person to solicit investments from members of the public in South Africa into an offshore hedge fund that is not approved under section 65 of the CISCA. The term “solicit” is defined to include any action to promote investment.

Are there any hedge funds in South Africa?

South African hedge funds are regulated in terms of the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act (CISCA), with a distinction being made between Retail Investor Hedge Funds (RHFs) and Qualified Investor Hedge Funds (QIHFs).