Financial manager
Also known as: financial administrator, finance chief, corporate finance manager, financial controller, CFO, finance manager
About this occupation
Financial managers handle all the matters in reference to the finance and investments of a company. They manage financial operations of companies such as the assets, liabilities, equity and cash flow aiming to maintain the financial health of the company and operative viability. Financial managers evaluate the strategic plans of the company in financial terms, maintain transparent financial operations for taxation and auditing bodies, and create the financial statements of the company at the end of the fiscal year.
Essential skills and knowledge
- advise on financial matters
- analyse market financial trends
- liaise with managers
- financial analysis
- enforce financial policies
- create a financial plan
- plan health and safety procedures
- financial management
- strive for company growth
- financial statements
- follow company standards
- analyse financial performance of a company
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Financial Managers (O*NET 11-3031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Establish and maintain relationships with individual or business customers or provide assistance with problems these customers may encounter.
- Oversee the flow of cash or financial instruments.
- Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of workers in branches, offices, or departments of establishments, such as branch banks, brokerage firms, risk and insurance departments, or credit departments.
- Recruit staff members.
- Evaluate data pertaining to costs to plan budgets.
- Oversee training programs.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Monitoring
US median pay: US$166,570 a year (2025), 841,710 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.3)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingVery important (4.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.6)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Accountants and Auditors
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Credit Analysts
- Loan Officers
- Financial Risk Specialists
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Financial Examiners
- Investment Fund Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.