http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financialcareers/07/portfolio_manager.asp
One of the most coveted careers in the financial industry is that of the portfolio manager. Portfolio managers work with a team of analysts and researchers, and are ultimately responsible for making the final investment decisions for a fund – or asset-management vehicle. While a portfolio manager is a position that a person must work his or her way up to over the course of a career, there are a few initial steps that you can take to help you on your way to being a portfolio manager. The author recommends that if you are in college and are interested in this type of career, then you need to have taken courses in business, economics, accounting and math. Many portfolio managers also possess the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter. In order to achieve this designation, candidates must demonstrate a proficiency in financial and accounting terms and techniques, economics and quantitative analysis, as well as prove the required work experience. Portfolio managers are usually promoted from the position of research analyst. A research analyst has a framework on buying and selling a security as well as understanding the economic conditions that can affect a security. There are many types of portfolio manager positions determined by the size of a fund, type of investment vehicles, and investing style. A portfolio manager’s day involves checking the status of the financial markets, and keeping on top of current events. The manager will meet with analysts and make final decisions on the direction of securities in a fund. Managers also meet with high-level and or potential investors.
“Can I deduct this?” When Americans sit down to fill out their income tax forms on or before the April 15 deadline, that’s the question they’ll likely ask the most. They may be shocked by how often the answer is “yes,” and the sheer variety of expenses they can deduct. Most people know that business-related items are usually tax deductible — no matter how odd. That could include body oil for a masseuse or professional body builder, says Dave Du Val, vice president of customer advocacy at TaxAudit.com, which is based in Sacramento, Calif. Ditto, free beer used for a sales promotion. But a recent survey showed that only 51% of over 1,000 people understood mostly basic questions about their income tax, and the estimated average $2,840 tax refund for 2017 likely does not include the refunds that people did not know they could claim. Per the author, here are five things you can deduct from your income taxes: swimming pools, abortion, gambling losses, service dogs and dog food, gender confirmation surgery. In the case of the swimming pool, this deduction was allowed because the pool is used for swimming therapy and prescribed per a doctor. “If you have gambling gains, you can deduct a large number of expenses to go to Vegas up to the point where it offsets much or all of the gains,” says Scott Bishop, director of financial planning at STA Wealth Management in Houston. You can deduct your losses, but no more than your winnings in that tax year. Gambling income includes winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse races and casinos, and fair market value of prizes such as cars and trips. “To deduct your losses, you must be able to provide receipts, tickets, statements or other records,” the IRS states. For casinos, you need copies of check cashing records. Some states don’t give deductions on gambling losses, however. In this article, various examples are presented. It’s important to understand that tax avoidance is legal and tax evasion is illegal. Tax avoidance as defined by www.investopedia.com is the use of legal methods to modify an individual’s financial situation to lower the amount of income tax owed. This is generally accomplished by claiming the permissible deductions and credits. This practice differs from tax evasion, which uses illegal methods, such as underreporting income to avoid paying taxes. It’s about paying the amount in taxes that you owe, and taking advantage of every possible tax deduction that is legally available to lower your tax liability. There are two certainties if you live in the U.S., death and taxes. One of these can be lowered, and the other will come sooner or later. It’s important to keep as much income as possible to create a legacy for your children’s children and the world around you.
If you need are interested in creating a budget, then contact me for a financial checkup in the contact me section. Also, learn more about Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.
For this week, I’ve included CHANGE YOUR MIND AND BECOME SUCCESSFUL – Best Motivational Videos Compilation for 2017 from the Be Inspired YouTube channel.
“If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.” Proverbs 28:26 MSG
Pursuit of Excellence 
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