Fund of Funds

Term from Private Equity industry explained for recruiters

A Fund of Funds (FoF) is like a big investment pool that puts money into other investment funds, rather than directly into companies or stocks. Think of it as a collection basket that holds many smaller baskets of investments. This approach helps spread risk and gives access to many different investment managers and strategies that might be hard to reach individually. It's commonly used in private equity, hedge funds, and other investment areas. When you see this on a resume, it usually means the person has experience managing or analyzing these complex investment structures.

Examples in Resumes

Managed due diligence process for Fund of Funds investments across 20 private equity managers

Analyzed performance of Fund of Funds portfolio worth $2 billion

Led investment decisions for FoF strategy in Asian markets

Conducted manager selection for Funds of Funds program

Typical job title: "Fund of Funds Managers"

Also try searching for:

Investment Manager Portfolio Manager FoF Analyst Investment Analyst Due Diligence Officer Multi-Manager Portfolio Manager Alternative Investment Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach portfolio construction for a fund of funds?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they build a diverse mix of funds, manage risk, and select managers. Should mention geographical spread, different investment styles, and how they monitor and adjust the portfolio over time.

Q: What's your process for evaluating fund managers?

Expected Answer: Should describe their due diligence process, including looking at track record, team experience, investment strategy, and risk management. Should also mention how they assess fees and terms.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you analyze fund performance?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic performance metrics like IRR and multiple of invested capital, and how they compare funds against benchmarks and peer groups.

Q: What are the key risks in fund of funds investing?

Expected Answer: Should discuss diversification benefits and challenges, fee structures (double layer of fees), liquidity issues, and how to manage these risks.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between a fund of funds and direct investing?

Expected Answer: Should explain that fund of funds invest in other funds rather than directly in companies, and understand the basic advantages (diversification, access) and disadvantages (extra fees).

Q: What are the main documents you review when analyzing a fund?

Expected Answer: Should mention key documents like Private Placement Memorandum (PPM), Limited Partnership Agreement (LPA), and quarterly reports, explaining their basic purpose.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic financial analysis
  • Understanding of fund structures
  • Report preparation
  • Performance monitoring

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Due diligence processes
  • Manager evaluation
  • Portfolio analysis
  • Risk assessment

Senior (5+ years)

  • Portfolio strategy development
  • Investment committee participation
  • Team management
  • Complex investment decisions

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic investment terms
  • Lack of experience with due diligence processes
  • No knowledge of performance metrics
  • Poor understanding of risk management
  • Limited exposure to manager selection

Related Terms