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Portfolio administrator vs asset manager

The differences between portfolio administrators and asset managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a portfolio administrator and an asset manager. Additionally, an asset manager has an average salary of $85,814, which is higher than the $61,414 average annual salary of a portfolio administrator.

The top three skills for a portfolio administrator include booking, securities and CDO. The most important skills for an asset manager are asset management, financial statements, and property management.

Portfolio administrator vs asset manager overview

Portfolio AdministratorAsset Manager
Yearly salary$61,414$85,814
Hourly rate$29.53$41.26
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs53,69064,732
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a portfolio administrator do?

A Portfolio Administrator oversees financial analysts to put into practice strategies capable of augmenting the organization's portfolio. They research and choose the portfolio's industries, products, and regions and update the stakeholders and management about these investment decisions. Other duties performed by portfolio administrators include writing reports, creating investment strategies, assessing financial information, and monitoring business trends. These professionals also identify market opportunities and risks and reorganize portfolios as required to meet all the financial goals.

What does an asset manager do?

An asset manager is responsible for advising clients with their investment preferences and financial goals based on their assets' quantity and value. Asset managers regularly meet with their clients regarding their asset management's progress, recommending more investment options and considering the clients' needs. They manage financial portfolios and prepare stock market reports and forecasts as needed. An asset manager must have a broad knowledge of the financial industry and investment processes, identifying profit opportunities for long-term investment objectives.

Portfolio administrator vs asset manager salary

Portfolio administrators and asset managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Portfolio AdministratorAsset Manager
Average salary$61,414$85,814
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $110,000Between $59,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityOld Bridge, NJNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyCitiDeutsche Bank
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between portfolio administrator and asset manager education

There are a few differences between a portfolio administrator and an asset manager in terms of educational background:

Portfolio AdministratorAsset Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Portfolio administrator vs asset manager demographics

Here are the differences between portfolio administrators' and asset managers' demographics:

Portfolio AdministratorAsset Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 47.9% Female, 52.1%Male, 64.3% Female, 35.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.9% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between portfolio administrator and asset manager duties and responsibilities

Portfolio administrator example responsibilities.

  • Block trade domestic equities for international mutual fund as well as separately manage accounts.
  • Track all corporate actions from ex-date to pay-date to ensure proper booking and train and coach new employees on assign funds.
  • Monitor FX exposure of the group to analyze and report deviations from the mean.
  • Communicate with PMs to make sure FX trades are executed and all cash remain invested.
  • Act as single point of contact during new CDO closings as well as CDO distributions and liquidations.
  • Execute client trades by funding and accounting, utilizing SEI, TRACS, and CDO suite software.
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Asset manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and improve the processes require to support server end of life and normal windows patching processes.
  • Manage a pipeline of assets/projects through the project life cycle of short sale/deed in lieu of foreclosure through closing.
  • Manage and facilitate IRB investigations of report non-compliance and/or scientific misconduct.
  • Recognize for financial acumen, successfully managing invoicing, vendor accounts, reconciliations, and target reports.
  • Manage commercial and multifamily REO portfolio preparing property operating plans to enhance value and marketability of REO asset
  • Trade structured product securities for accounts manage by other portfolio managers base on economic conditions and the needs of specific portfolios.
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Portfolio administrator vs asset manager skills

Common portfolio administrator skills
  • Booking, 14%
  • Securities, 9%
  • CDO, 7%
  • Bonds, 6%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • Reconciliations, 5%
Common asset manager skills
  • Asset Management, 20%
  • Financial Statements, 7%
  • Property Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Oversight, 5%
  • Loan Portfolio, 5%

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