Sara Clough

Key member of a rebuilt investment management team, instrumental in revitalizing and expanding the department from 2 to 8 professionals while growing firm AUM from $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion.

• Conduct comprehensive analysis of individual stocks using FactSet, including monitoring earnings calls, to inform investment decisions and strategy development.
• Design and generate both standardized and custom reports using Excel with real-time data plugins, facilitating effective communication between investment management team and financial advisors.
• Play a crucial role in portfolio construction and optimization, contributing to the firm's 33% AUM growth and enhanced client outcomes.
• Led the onboarding and implementation of Pontera, streamlining the management of external employer-sponsored retirement accounts and improving overall portfolio oversight.
• Coordinate implementation of specialized offerings such as qualified plans and alternative investments, ensuring proper setup, due diligence, and regulatory compliance.
• Utilize Morningstar, Orion, and FactSet to perform in-depth portfolio analysis, generating actionable insights for portfolio managers and advisors.
• Collaborate with advisors to align investment strategies with individual client goals and risk tolerances across diverse portfolio types.
• Develop Python scripts to automate routine tasks and create custom workflows, improving team efficiency and data accuracy.
• Mentor new team members on portfolio analysis techniques and investment management processes, supporting the successful expansion of the department.

Key founding member of the investment management team, instrumental in transitioning the firm to more active portfolio management as AUM grew from under $1 billion to $1.2 billion.

• Facilitated the implementation of enhanced portfolio management strategies, supporting the firm's shift towards more active management of client assets.
• Executed and reviewed approximately [X] trades per [day/week], totaling [Y] trades annually, ensuring precise implementation of investment strategies across [Z] client accounts.
• Implemented tax-efficient trading practices, minimizing client tax liabilities while optimizing portfolio performance in line with approved allocations.
• Orchestrated regular portfolio rebalancing for [X]+ portfolios, managing both trade execution and cash balance adjustments to maintain target allocations.
• Managed the integration of external employer-sponsored retirement accounts worth $[X] million, manually synchronizing data across multiple systems for comprehensive oversight.
• Developed and implemented streamlined processes for trade execution and account management, reducing processing time by [X]% and supporting rapid firm growth.
• Played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the investment management team's expansion, providing training and mentorship to new team members.

Provided comprehensive operational and administrative support for Azimuth Wealth Advisory, a Raymond James affiliated practice managing over $300 million in client assets.

• Processed and executed trade orders, managed client interactions, and handled financial transactions including check requests and wire transfers.
• Utilized Reuters Eikon for market research and financial analysis to support advisor decision-making.
• Prepared client presentation materials, organized appreciation events, and conducted educational webinars for existing and prospective clients.
• Maintained meticulous client documentation and records, ensuring compliance with FINRA and Raymond James standards.