Valuations

  • Description
  • Tasks
  • Skills
  • Useful Knowledge
  • Entry Qualifications
  • Professional Qualifications
  • Trends
  • Resources

Clients and investment managers need to be constantly informed about the current value of their funds or portfolios. This is the job of valuation professionals. It involves collecting current price information about each of the many securities that make up the fund or portfolio and calculating the overall price valuation.  This information is then presented regularly in daily, monthly and periodic reports. For this role you’ll need strong oral and written communication skills and be able to demonstrate good numerate skills. A key quality employers place great value on is the ability to prioritise daily tasks whilst taking into account regulatory procedures.

Salary

Entry level positions, such as a trainee valuations actions officer, start at approximately £16,000 per annum. With the right experience, qualifications and skills you could progress to management roles and earn in excess of £60,000 per annum. This does not include potential bonuses and additional benefits. Salaries will vary considerably based on location and employer.

  • Identifying all the securities that are included in a fund or portfolio for valuation
  • Sourcing current prices for securities and, using accepted tests, measuring performance against objectives and other valid criteria
  • Building and calculating a full valuation for a portfolio of securities, comparing and contrasting the actual and potential performances of the fund or account
  • Reporting on valuations to management and clients, making sure it’s accurate and presented in the proper format within the agreed timescales
  • Building new models to value funds efficiently and accurately
  • Responding to valuation requests from managers and clients
  • Maintaining up-to-date records
  • Security and confidentiality of valuation and client records
  • Adhering to FSA regulations for valuations
  • Strong numerical skills
  • Attention to detail/accuracy 
  • Good planning and organisation skills
  • Business communication and interpersonal skills
  • Time management and ability to adjust priorities to meet valuation deadlines
  • Confident using IT and financial reporting documents
  • Flexibility
  • Ability to comply with set internal policies and procedures

A new entrant will not always be required to have this knowledge. Employers usually provide training to acquire skills for:

  • Legislation and regulation relating to pricing and valuations
  • Sound understanding of securities  and financial market tools
  • Confidence using valuations IT systems
  • The links between individual security pricing and portfolio or fund valuation

Working in valuations requires people who are good team workers, hard working, enthusiastic with excellent communication skills. English and maths qualifications are important. There are various levels of entry into the role. Any previous qualifications or experience in bookkeeping, general accounting or investment reconciliation and administration is helpful.

In order to gain an entry level position, employers will look for people who have as a minimum:

  • A Levels, Scottish Highers or equivalent qualifications such as  Business, Administration and Finance (BAF) Diploma, BTEC National Diploma, Welsh Baccalaureate (BAC), SVQ Level 3 or Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7)


Apprenticeships can be a useful way to gain entry and to progress on in the profession.  Investment operations and, due to some tasks related to valuation roles, accountancy apprenticeships could both be relevant.

  • Level 2 Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services, Investment Operations pathway (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Level 2 Apprenticeship in Accounting (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Level 3 Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services, Investment Operations pathway (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Level 3 Apprenticeship in Accounting (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Level 4 Apprenticeship in Accounting (England, Scotland and Wales)

Many employers recommend and support valuations professionals in gaining a professional qualification. Most relevant to this role is:

  • Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) Level 3 Investment Operations Certificate (IOC)


Additionally, as this role includes some accounting tasks, employers may expect you to acquire a relevant accountancy qualification from one of these professional bodies:

  • Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)


With several years’ experience, you may progress towards more advanced professional qualifications, such as:

  • CISI Advanced Certificate Programme, with choices in Global Securities Operations and Operational Risk
  • CISI specialist Diploma in Investment Operations

The growth in on-line access to valuations will increase demand for constant live updating, so valuations is likely to remain stable with potentially greater demand for administrative staff to proactively source and provide live valuation feeds.  Opportunities exist with investment management and fund management companies. Jobs can be found in major UK financial centres, such as London, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Scotland and Northern Ireland are growing operational centres for investment support roles like this.