WFS - WM Equity Analyst

About Us

At West Financial Services, we have spent over 40 years building a firm dedicated to taking a creative and ethical approach to growing and protecting our clients’ wealth and prosperity. Since our inception in 1982, we have provided financial services on a fee-only basis, acting as a fiduciary for our clients. Each member of our team fully embraces the importance of this role and what it means for our clients. We bring planning excellence, investment discipline and personal service to everything we do. We are seeking competent, motivated employees who share our commitment to being remarkable. To attract and retain these quality individuals, we provide a market driven salary administration program and a comprehensive benefits package. We take pride in offering a broad benefits program to its most valuable asset….our staff.  

About the Job

About the Job: West Financial Services (WFS) is currently recruiting for a WM Equity Analyst. The Equity Analyst is responsible for performing research and analysis on market trends and investment options.  Provides information and makes recommendations to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Investment Committee and Research Group of West Financial Services (WFS) on advisory service products and investment selection.   MAJOR JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES: 1.            General Research: Works with Chief Investment Officer in the development of the investment philosophy and strategy.  Maintains a continuous study of financial news, reports, digests, and financial services to keep informed of economic and financial conditions affecting markets.  Provides Portfolio Managers and Team Leaders with research for client-specific requests and special research projects as assigned.  Facilitates the Investment Committee and Research Group meetings.  Records changes of approved securities by the Investment Committee for compliance purposes.  Attend industry conferences and seminars.   2.            Individual Stocks: Perform fundamental equity analysis and valuation.  Develop and maintain the stock buy list, which includes monitoring each company’s earnings and major events; maintaining periodic reports on each company’s fundamentals and performance; and identifying stocks to consider for sale or purchase.  Work with CIO and Portfolio Managers to assign weights and ranks to approved stocks.  In addition, evaluate sector performance and recommend changes on a periodic basis.   3.            Mutual Funds: Develop and utilize a standardized process for analyzing mutual fund managers and performance.  Perform due diligence on outside mutual fund managers, which includes but is not limited to, conducting mutual fund manager searches, identifying and monitoring appropriate indexes and benchmarks for mutual fund managers, reviewing mutual fund manager performance, and identifying changes to the buy list.  Develop and maintain the WFS mutual fund approved list.  Construct quarterly mutual fund review.   4.            Portfolio Management: Implements the investment strategy; monitors the accounts to ensure the asset allocation is maintained within the parameters set forth; monitors portfolio performance and recognizes gains and losses; assists in ongoing portfolio communication with clients; submits portfolio changes to trader; and prepares for and conducts periodic investment reviews with clients. 

Required Skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: - Position requires a bachelor degree and a thorough knowledge of U.S. Treasuries, agencies, municipal bonds, stocks, and mutual funds. Also requires a CFA designation or significant progress toward the designation is preferred. A minimum of three years work related experience is required, including experience in equity investments and asset allocation principles. - Contact involves a variety of internal and external contacts; and requires interpersonal skills to effectively deal with all types of people. - Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing, prepare business correspondence, summarize complex reports, write procedures, and interpret complicated policies.  Also involves making verbal presentations and recommendations. - High level problem-solving skills are required; problems are technically complex and require the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data from diverse sources. - Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Excel and Word. Experience with Tamarac, Bloomberg and Morningstar Advisor Workstation a plus. - Must be able to qualify, obtain, and maintain necessary licensing requirements. SPECIFIC PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work requires reasonable mobility in and around the work area.  Ability to use standard computer and phone systems is required   WORKING CONDITIONS: Normal office environment where there is almost no discomfort due to temperature, dust, noise, or other disagreeable elements.   Work includes little or no potential exposure to hazardous conditions.   Must be able to travel to remote company and/or client locations.   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Additional Information

West Financial Services, a subsidiary of Sandy Spring Bank, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.   If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position, please call our job line at 1-800-399-5919 and select option 5. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.   West Financial Services partners with various job boards to advertise our openings. Please visit our website, www.westfinancial.com to confirm the validity of the job posting to avoid any potential fraudulent activity. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our website.