Series 24 Exam: A Student’s Honest Review
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🧾 Series 65 for Aspiring Portfolio Managers
📘 Why the Series 65 Exam Matters If You Want to Manage Investment Portfolios
If you’re aiming for a career as a portfolio manager, passing the Series 65 exam is a smart and often necessary move. This exam, officially known as the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam, is a key qualification for professionals who want to give investment advice and manage portfolios for a fee.
Let’s break down why the Series 65 matters and how it fits into your path toward becoming a registered investment adviser or professional portfolio manager.
🎯 1. What Does the Series 65 License Allow You to Do?
Once you pass the Series 65, you’re qualified to:
- Work as an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR).
- Provide fee-based financial advice.
- Construct and manage client portfolios.
- Offer services like asset allocation, rebalancing, and investment planning.
- Operate independently or with a registered investment advisory (RIA) firm.
Unlike licenses that authorize you to sell securities (e.g., Series 6 or Series 7), the Series 65 focuses on advice — particularly important for portfolio management roles.
🧠 2. Key Topics for Portfolio Managers on the Series 65
| Topic | Relevance to Portfolio Managers |
|---|---|
| Portfolio Management Theories | Covers Modern Portfolio Theory, CAPM, and risk/return models. |
| Investment Vehicle Types | Teaches mutual funds, ETFs, REITs, bonds, and alternatives. |
| Risk and Return Calculations | Includes standard deviation, beta, alpha, sharpe ratio, and more. |
| Asset Allocation & Diversification | Core concepts for designing diversified portfolios. |
| Economic Factors & Business Cycles | Helps interpret market conditions and economic indicators. |
| Client Suitability & Objectives | Teaches how to match portfolios to investor goals. |
| Fiduciary Duty and Ethics | Critical for acting in clients’ best interests. |
🛠️ 3. Why Portfolio Managers Should Get Series 65
- Legally Required: In most states, if you want to manage client assets and charge fees, you must have the Series 65 (unless you have a CFP, CFA, or another accepted designation).
- Flexibility: Series 65 lets you work independently or start your own RIA without being tied to a broker-dealer.
- Trust Factor: Passing the Series 65 shows that you understand key fiduciary standards — crucial in a trust-based role like portfolio management.
- Preparation for RIA Registration: Most RIAs require all IARs to be Series 65 licensed.
📈 4. Who Hires Series 65 Holders for Portfolio Roles?
- Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firms
- Wealth management firms
- Independent advisory practices
- Family offices
- Boutique asset management firms
Portfolio managers with Series 65 often build and monitor client portfolios, rebalance assets, select securities, and communicate performance to clients — all within a fiduciary framework.
⏱️ 5. How to Prepare If You’re Portfolio-Bound
- Focus deeply on portfolio theory, investment products, and risk metrics.
- Use a study plan that includes 80–100 hours of prep over 4–6 weeks.
- Combine course study, practice exams, and formula flashcards.
- Pay attention to ethical case studies — they show up often and test your judgment.
🚀 Conclusion: Series 65 is Your Gateway to Managing Money
If your goal is to become a portfolio manager, passing the Series 65 is a practical and strategic first step. It gives you the regulatory license, the theoretical foundation, and the trust credentials needed to build and manage portfolios for clients — and to do it legally and ethically.
🎓 Ready to start your Series 65 journey?
Get instant access to study guides, mock exams, and strategy tools tailored for future portfolio managers at
👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com
Become the kind of portfolio manager clients trust — and regulators approve.