Career Map: Asset Manager

The Asset Manager prepares and leads the preparation of financial statements and reports. They keep track of lending rates and investigate new sources of debt and consider tax ramifications. Asset Mangers manage the complex project financing process of one or more projects. They secure construction loans, private investment, and standard project debt. They have a strong understanding of the wind energy market and can assist or propose acquisition opportunities to the Chief Financial Officer or CEO.

In general, asset managers typically do the following:

• Prepare financial statements, business activity reports, and forecasts
• Arrange and secure debt vehicles and support the CFO
• Manage financial closings
• Monitor financial details to ensure that legal requirements are met
• Supervise employees who do financial reporting and budgeting
• Review company financial reports and seek ways to reduce costs
• Analyze market trends to find opportunities for expansion or for acquiring other companies
• Help management make financial decisions.

The role of the asset manager, particularly in business, is changing in response to technological advances that have significantly reduced the amount of time it takes to produce financial reports. Asset managers’ main responsibility is data analysis and advising senior managers on how to maximize profits. They often work on teams, acting as business advisors to top executives.

• Analytical skills. Asset managers increasingly assist executives in making decisions that affect the organization and strategy.
• Financial skills.  Expert knowledge in navigating and developing financial spreadsheets and other instruments.
• Detail oriented. In preparing and analyzing reports such as balance sheets and income statements, asset managers must pay attention to detail.
• Math skills. Asset managers must be skilled in math, including algebra. An understanding of finance tools, markets and complex financial documents is also is important.
• Business skills. Asset managers must have a general knowledge of how businesses function and of how financial markets work.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills. Necessary to manage the various relationships associated with project financing as well as the internal team of financial analysts.  Moving seamlessly from a “leadership” role in a financial close to a “service” role in preparing pro formas for Project Development Directors or CFO’s.