Inaya Mclaughlin
Will Brockett is an investment analyst at Cambridge Associates, a global investment firm with 11 offices around the world. The company offers a wide range of opportunities and a collaborative, diverse environment for its employees. Reviews suggest that Cambridge Associates is a good place to start a career in finance, with employees gaining hands-on experience working with institutional investors, investment consultants, and smart/interesting people. However, some reviews also mention issues with low pay, poor management, and a lack of career progression guidance. The average salary for an investment analyst at Cambridge Associates is around $70,000 per year.
What You'll Learn
Cambridge Associates' mission and values
Mission
Cambridge Associates' mission is to build custom portfolios that aim to outperform over the long term. The company's clients are at the center of what they do, and they strive to deliver investment outperformance and an exceptional client experience. With a long-standing history, robust resources, and a global presence, Cambridge Associates offers the best of both worlds: the expertise and reach of a large firm coupled with the personalized attention of a small team dedicated to its clients' goals.
Values
Cambridge Associates is committed to creating a unique, global culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). They strive to build an environment where all colleagues can flourish and have equal opportunities to use their talents to make an impact. The company recognizes the power of diverse voices to drive performance and create the best opportunities to deliver for their clients, firm, and community.
Cambridge Associates values independent research and thought leadership. They provide their clients with global manager and capital markets research, expertise in alternative investments, and diverse manager research. The company also develops technology solutions to efficiently manage client portfolios worldwide.
The company's core values are an important component of how they measure themselves and their work performance. They believe in putting clients first and strive for a dynamic and collaborative team environment that encourages intellectual curiosity and thought leadership.
Smart Ways to Invest $15,000
You may want to see also
Investment Analyst responsibilities
Will Brockett is an Investment Analyst at Cambridge Associates. Here is an overview of the typical responsibilities of an Investment Analyst:
Investment analysts are financial professionals who evaluate securities, stocks, bonds, and other financial assets. They are responsible for identifying potential investments for clients, researching business financials, and providing advice. They contribute to financial decision-making by conducting in-depth analyses of market trends and performance.
Specific Duties:
- Assessing business and asset valuations, including capital markets research on asset classes
- Calculating risks and opportunities for clients
- Monitoring market trends and investment portfolios
- Analysing previous investment decisions to generate insights
- Conducting meetings with clients and management
- Producing complex financial models to aid decision-making
- Compiling financial data into reports for stakeholders
- Identifying critical areas of business performance
- Reporting issues to senior leaders
- Working collaboratively within a team
Investment analysts need to be well-versed in portfolio management, detail-oriented, and proactive in seeking investment opportunities. They should possess strong analytical and creative abilities, as well as adaptability to evolving scenarios.
Blackberry: Invest or Avoid?
You may want to see also
Salary and benefits
The salary and benefits offered by Cambridge Associates to its Investment Analysts seem to be a common point of criticism among employees. Several reviews describe the pay as "very low" and "below market", with one former employee stating that they received "no OT and no additional benefits for working 80+ hours a week". Another former employee expressed that the company is "underpaid compared to the market".
According to PayScale, the average base salary for an Investment Analyst at Cambridge Associates, LLC, is $71,143 per year. This estimate is based on 13 salary profiles last updated in August 2023. An entry-level Investment Analyst with less than a year of experience can expect an average total compensation of $66,384, while an early-career Investment Analyst with 1-4 years of experience can earn an average of $71,500. The highest-paid Investment Analysts at Cambridge Associates can make up to $83k per year, while the lowest-paid can earn $57k.
Indeed provides a slightly higher estimate, placing the average yearly salary for Investment Analysts at Cambridge Associates at $75,768, based on data from 20 employees, users, and job advertisements. This salary is 7% below the national average.
Despite the generally negative sentiment towards compensation, there are some positive aspects to the role. One current employee praised the "time and location flexibility", while another former employee mentioned "Healthcare" and "401k" as benefits of the role.
Retirement Plans and Investment Advisors: A Necessary Partnership?
You may want to see also
Work-life balance
Cambridge Associates has a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars for work-life balance on Indeed.com. A former employee who worked in market research for a year and a half praised the company's work-life balance, while a current employee in the same role at the time of writing their review said that the company was constantly stressful with unrealistic expectations, long hours, and poor pay.
Reviews from former and current employees in other roles at the company also show a mixed picture. A former business development associate praised the slow-paced and relaxed working environment, while a former investment operations analyst said that work-life balance was not encouraged and there was a culture of overtime. A former housekeeping employee also noted that it was initially difficult to manage their workload. On the other hand, a current senior project manager at the time of writing their review said that the company encourages work-life balance, and a current product manager at the time of writing their review said that there is a great work-life balance.
Reviews from other current employees at the time of writing their reviews include comments such as "always at my desk working", "long hours", and "crazy hours with zero work-life balance". A former investment operations analyst wrote that the company is a "good place to get into finance" but does not provide much guidance on career progression. A former investment analyst commented that the company does not prepare employees for the future, only for doing as they wish.
Retirement Planning: Why Investing is a Must, Not a Maybe
You may want to see also
Career progression
The role of an investment analyst at Cambridge Associates can be a great way to get your foot in the door in the investments industry. The company offers hands-on experience working with institutional investors, investment consultants, and smart/interesting people. The work itself can get a little tedious, but it provides valuable experience and the opportunity to learn from a lot of really smart people.
However, some employees have noted that the company doesn't provide much guidance when it comes to career progression. There is a lack of transparency around promotions, which are rarely given after one year of employment and are based on time instead of merit. This has been a source of frustration for talented, hard-working employees, who feel that their skills and contributions are not adequately recognised or rewarded.
The pay for investment analysts at Cambridge Associates is also below the market average, which has been a point of contention for some employees. The work can be monotonous and demanding, with reports of analysts working 80+ hours a week without overtime pay or additional benefits.
Despite these challenges, Cambridge Associates can still be a good place to start your career, especially if you're looking to gain experience in the investment field. The company's collaborative environment and diverse range of clients offer valuable learning opportunities. However, it's important to be mindful of the potential limitations in terms of career progression and to actively seek out new opportunities for growth and advancement.
Fees, Funds and You: The Cost of Investing
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The average base salary for an Investment Analyst at Cambridge Associates is $71,143 per year. However, salaries can range from $57k to $83k per year, depending on experience and other factors.
According to reviews, Investment Analysts at Cambridge Associates may work 80+ hours per week, especially during busy periods.
Reviews suggest that career advancement at Cambridge Associates is challenging and often based on time spent at the company rather than merit or competence. However, it can be a good place to start your career and gain experience in the finance industry.
Investment Analysts at Cambridge Associates work within a group that reviews and approves investment products. They may also make recommendations to advisors on portfolio management, conduct research, support advisors, and deliver presentations on investment topics.
Reviews indicate mixed feelings about the work environment and culture at Cambridge Associates. Some employees appreciate the supportive environment and flexibility, while others criticise the management style and lack of career guidance.
