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What does a fixed income portfolio manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

A fixed income portfolio manager must be able to work closely with their clients to achieve the best cash flows for their best interest. They implement strategies that can help in increasing their client's profits from their fixed-income investments. They also select, monitor, and analyze securities that may help in ensuring benefits for their clients. They also help their client understand the various tax restrictions applicable to every client portfolio so that each goal is achieved.

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Fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real fixed income portfolio manager resumes:

  • Manage governance, engage stakeholders and communicate budget impact to senior management.
  • Source bonds from primary/secondary markets, allocate across multiple credit portfolios and oversee trade execution.
  • Analyze and provide relative value assessments for industry specific securities and overall market.
  • Serve as liaison between product development and clients to improve coverage and accuracy for asset-backed securities
  • Conduct daily trading in bonds / foreign exchange and monitor political and economic events that influence international bond markets.
  • Spearhead the enterprise Server/Network equipment room governance program lowering risk exposure to the firm to satisfy an external audit deliverable.
  • Support trust officers, sales/marketing personnel, and bank officers/staff in cross-selling of banking and investment-relate products.

Fixed income portfolio manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Fixed Income Portfolio Managers are proficient in Fixed Income, Macro, and Risk Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Fixed Income Portfolio Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Fixed Income, 18%

    Propose portfolio transactions to fixed income team adjusting portfolio characteristics given current market conditions.

  • Macro, 10%

    Redesigned a Portfolio Manager Reporting System written in Excel Macros to use Visual Basic/Applications.

  • Risk Management, 9%

    Implemented technical risk management strategies by employing probability and correlation-based financial models.

  • Income Portfolio, 8%

    Developed and modified Equity and Fixed-Income portfolios to optimize investment return.

  • Securities, 7%

    Served as liaison between product development and clients to improve coverage and accuracy for asset-backed securities

  • Portfolio Construction, 6%

    Managed cash flows, portfolio construction, sector allocation, and duration tar- geting.

"fixed income," "macro," and "risk management" are among the most common skills that fixed income portfolio managers use at work. You can find even more fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a fixed income portfolio manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what fixed income portfolio managers do because "to assist executives in making decisions, financial managers need to evaluate data and information that affects their organization." Additionally, a fixed income portfolio manager resume shows how fixed income portfolio managers use analytical skills: "produced summarized credit analysis of potential opportunities in the corporate markets. "

Communication skills. Many fixed income portfolio manager duties rely on communication skills. "financial managers must be able to explain and justify complex financial transactions.," so a fixed income portfolio manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities rely on communication skills: "lead research, client interaction and written communications for fixed income in the institutional and intermediary channels. "

Detail oriented. fixed income portfolio managers are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities, because "in preparing and analyzing reports, such as balance sheets and income statements, financial managers must be precise and attentive to their work in order to avoid errors." A fixed income portfolio manager resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "direct research oriented due diligence meetings with major consulting firms. "

Math skills. For certain fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a fixed income portfolio manager rely on this skill, as "financial managers need strong skills in certain branches of mathematics, including algebra." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what fixed income portfolio managers do: "provided qualitative and quantitative analysis of newly issued conduit cmbs deals using trepp, cre, and moody's analytics. "

Organizational skills. Another common skill required for fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of fixed income portfolio managers all the time, as "because financial managers deal with a range of information and documents, they must have structures in place to be effective in their work." An excerpt from a real fixed income portfolio manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a fixed income portfolio manager does: "scheduled and managed regular on-going meetings for organizational planning, operational reviews and portfolio management. "

See the full list of fixed income portfolio manager skills

The three companies that hire the most fixed income portfolio managers are:

Compare different fixed income portfolio managers

Fixed income portfolio manager vs. Manager finance planning and analysis

A manager finance planning and analysis oversees the daily operations of a company's financial planning department. They typically have administrative duties such as setting goals and guidelines, establishing timelines and budgets, delegating tasks among teams and staff, and reviewing financial reports regularly. They also perform research and assessments, gather and analyze financial data from different departments, coordinate staff, and solve issues and concerns when any arise. Additionally, as a manager, they must lead and empower staff to reach goals while implementing company policies and regulations.

We looked at the average fixed income portfolio manager salary and compared it with the wages of a manager finance planning and analysis. Generally speaking, managers finance planning and analysis are paid $4,842 lower than fixed income portfolio managers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between fixed income portfolio managers and managers finance planning and analysis are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like treasury, cash flow, and financial models.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between fixed income portfolio managers and manager finance planning and analysis. For instance, fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities require skills such as "fixed income," "macro," "risk management," and "income portfolio." Whereas a manager finance planning and analysis is skilled in "financial performance," "financial planning analysis," "financial analysis," and "customer service." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Managers finance planning and analysis tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $109,735. In contrast, fixed income portfolio managers make the biggest average salary, $111,541, in the health care industry.managers finance planning and analysis tend to reach similar levels of education than fixed income portfolio managers. In fact, managers finance planning and analysis are 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Fixed income portfolio manager vs. Cash manager

A cash manager is responsible for monitoring cash flow, analyzing financial transactions, and allocating adequate budget and resources for every department's operations. Cash managers conduct data and statistical analysis to determine the company's expenses and financial loss and strategize techniques in minimizing those risks. They also help senior management in identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase profits for the business. A cash manager handles billing disputes, resolves account discrepancies, and submits accurate financial reports.

A career as a cash manager brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a fixed income portfolio manager. In fact, cash managers salary is $18,367 lower than the salary of fixed income portfolio managers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Fixed income portfolio managers and cash managers both require similar skills like "treasury," "cash flow," and "rfp" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, fixed income portfolio manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "fixed income," "macro," "risk management," and "income portfolio." Meanwhile, a cash manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "cash management," "financial statements," and "reconciliations." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Cash managers earn a lower average salary than fixed income portfolio managers. But cash managers earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $101,436. Additionally, fixed income portfolio managers earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $111,541 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Cash managers tend to reach lower levels of education than fixed income portfolio managers. In fact, they're 13.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Fixed income portfolio manager vs. Accountant and office manager

An accountant/office manager is responsible for monitoring the organization's accounting records and financial reports, analyzing statistical information, and managing payroll processes. Accountant/office managers must have excellent knowledge of accounting disciplines and principles to perform accounting duties and train accounting staff of the accounting operations, overseeing account receivables, conducting bank reconciliations, and responding to the staff's inquiries and concerns. An accountant/office manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, helping the management develop practical accounting and financial approach, maintaining the stability of the organization's cash management.

On average, accountant and office managers earn lower salaries than fixed income portfolio managers, with a $60,513 difference per year.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, fixed income portfolio managers are more likely to have skills like "fixed income," "macro," "risk management," and "income portfolio." But a accountant and office manager is more likely to have skills like "payroll tax returns," "customer service," "reconciliations," and "general ledger accounts."

Accountant and office managers earn the best pay in the real estate industry, where they command an average salary of $59,443. Fixed income portfolio managers earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $111,541.When it comes to education, accountant and office managers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to fixed income portfolio managers. In fact, they're 17.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Fixed income portfolio manager vs. Accounts receivable manager

An accounts receivable manager is responsible for overseeing the financial matters in a business or company, focusing on the generated sales and income. Moreover, they are also responsible for maintaining an accurate and efficient collection of payments, conducting research and analysis, and supervising the workforce, striving to meet all the goals within the allotted time. As a manager in the department, it is also vital to lead fellow skilled professionals and implement the policies and regulations of the company or organization.

Accounts receivable managers average a lower salary than the annual salary of fixed income portfolio managers. The difference is about $42,327 per year.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A fixed income portfolio manager uses "fixed income," "macro," "risk management," and "income portfolio." Accounts receivable managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "accounts receivables," "financial reports," and "reconciliations. "accounts receivable managers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $83,928. For comparison, fixed income portfolio managers earn the highest salary in the health care industry.accounts receivable managers reach lower levels of education compared to fixed income portfolio managers, in general. The difference is that they're 17.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of fixed income portfolio manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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