Insights
Launching a Career in Trust and Fiduciary Services
Victus Search, Multi-jurisdictional Recruitment Partner for Financial Services 310 310Read it in 3 minutes
Insights
Read it in 3 minutes
Trust and fiduciary services provide essential support in financial management, estate planning, and wealth transfer for high-net-worth individuals and families. It’s a dynamic, growing field for those interested in client service, compliance, investments, and law. If you’re considering a career in trust and fiduciary services, here are some top tips:
Getting started in the trust and fiduciary sector requires developing foundational expertise. Coursework or training on topics like principles of banking, finance, tax law, and estate law helps build critical understanding. Gaining domain expertise in specific areas like inheritance planning, intergenerational wealth transfer, and asset protection structures is key.
It’s also vital to stay on top of the evolving regulations and compliance requirements across different jurisdictions. Knowledge creates credibility with clients.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are absolute must-haves. You’ll need to distill complex information clearly for clients and develop rapport. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational abilities enable handling diverse tasks and multi-tasking. Being a collaborative team player is essential in this service-focused field.
Pursuing industry-specific designations demonstrates commitment and expands technical know-how. Examples include the STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) qualifications. Maintaining continuing education shows you’re dedicated to staying current.
While starting out in a rotational development program allows exploring different areas, specialization is key for career advancement. Focus on a specific service like family governance, philanthropic advisory, retirement planning, or institutional trust services. Specialization enables providing tailored guidance and standing out from peers.
Large multinational firms offer extensive training programs, career development pathways, and leadership opportunities. Small boutique firms provide closer client relationships, mentoring, and involvement in varied facets of the business. Assess your priorities when choosing between these two paths.
Building connections with other professionals through groups like the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) or American Bankers Association (ABA) leads to insights, idea sharing, and job opportunities. Victus Search can help connect you with dynamic roles and advancement opportunities within the trust and fiduciary sector. Attend industry conferences and events whenever possible. Make relationship-building a priority.
Look for internships, volunteer roles, part-time positions, job shadowing, or other ways to handle real client scenarios early on, even in an administrative capacity. Working directly with clients and their files is invaluable preparation for a client-service driven career.
Gaining experience in major offshore financial centers like the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda or Singapore expands future prospects tremendously. These jurisdictions have thriving fiduciary sectors serving international clientele. Spending time offshore opens more possibilities.
At its core, a career in trust and fiduciary services revolves around supporting families and protecting their interests for generations. Nurturing empathy, discretion, integrity, and patience serves you and clients well. If service drives you, you’ll find this work incredibly rewarding.
At Victus Search, we specialise in connecting professionals like you with top trust, fiduciary, and private client firms seeking dedicated talent. If you’re exploring new opportunities, contact us to learn more about how we can help accelerate your career growth in this rewarding field.
Whether you’re looking to fill a specialist role, or seeking the right position to deploy your unique skills and experience, the first step is to get in touch with one of our expert consultants.
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