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Financial Manager

O*NET-SOC: 11-3031.00

Finance

Plans, directs, and coordinates accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

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$140K

Median Salary

+16%

Growing

Bachelor's Degree

Min.

Education

Demanding

Work-Life Balance

About This Role A Financial Manager oversees the financial health and strategy of a business by analyzing data, preparing reports, and guiding decisions about budgets, investments, and risk. They start by reviewing income statements, balance sheets, and cash-flow statements, then compare current performance to forecasts, industry benchmarks, and previous periods. They work closely with department heads to understand their spending and revenue needs, and adjust budgets or forecasts based on new contracts, market changes, or unexpected costs.

A Day in the Life

9:00 AM

Team meeting with finance staff

Lead a brief meeting with accountants and analysts to assign tasks, review upcoming deadlines, and confirm priorities for the week.

10:00 AM

Model and update financial forecast

Work in a spreadsheet or financial modeling tool to update revenue and cost projections, incorporating new sales data, contracts, or market events.

11:30 AM

Budget review with department heads

Meet with managers from marketing, operations, or R&D; to discuss their budget requests, suggest trade-offs, and align spending with overall strategy.

12:30 PM

Lunch and break

Grab a quick meal, often using part of the break to check emails or briefly scan financial news relevant to the business.

1:30 PM

Prepare executive presentation on performance

Draft slides or a report summarizing key metrics, variances, and recommendations for senior leadership or the board, often including charts and tables.

3:00 PM

Coordinate with auditors or tax advisors

Respond to auditor questions, provide documentation, or review draft tax returns, ensuring the company’s financial records are accurate and compliant.

4:30 PM

Capital or investment proposal review

Analyze a potential investment, financing arrangement, or capital-expenditure project, calculating returns, risks, and impact on cash flow.

6:30 PM

Finalize reports and wrap-up

Complete final edits on reports or presentations, send them to stakeholders, and update the team’s task list for the next day.

Tools &

- Technologies

- Databases &
- Data Tools

- Microsoft Access

- Microsoft SQL Server

- Oracle Database

- SQL

- FileMaker Pro

- ERP Systems

- SAP

- PeopleSoft

- Microsoft Dynamics

- Microsoft Dynamics GP

- NetSuite ERP

- Business Intelligence

- Alteryx

- Tableau

- IBM Cognos Impromptu

- MicroStrategy

- Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

- Document Management

- Adobe Acrobat

- Microsoft SharePoint

- Analytics &

- Science

- IBM SPSS Statistics

- SAS

- Project Management

- Microsoft Project

- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

Salary Details

Salary by State

Financial Manager salary by state map

Financial Manager salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range New York $216K — New Jersey $189K — District of Columbia $181K — Massachusetts $181K — Delaware $180K — California $175K — Colorado $175K — Washington $171K — Virginia $170K — Connecticut $170K — Georgia $163K — Rhode Island $160K — Texas $160K — North Carolina $160K — Illinois $160K — Minnesota $158K — Maryland $157K — South Dakota $152K $110K - $225K Oregon $147K — Florida $143K — New Hampshire $142K — Kansas $139K — Alabama $138K — Pennsylvania $138K — Utah $138K — Wisconsin $138K — Michigan $135K $80K - $239K Maine $134K — Nebraska $134K $82K - $225K Vermont $134K $81K - $210K Missouri $134K $78K - $235K Ohio $133K — Tennessee $133K — Indiana $132K $75K - $218K Arizona $132K — Iowa $131K $77K - $218K North Dakota $130K $85K - $235K South Carolina $128K $75K - $227K Hawaii $127K $76K - $210K Oklahoma $127K $72K - $224K Montana $126K $79K - $225K Kentucky $125K $72K - $218K Nevada $125K $66K - $235K Idaho $124K $77K - $206K Alaska $123K $83K - $199K New Mexico $122K $80K - $205K Louisiana $119K $73K - $209K Wyoming $118K $61K - $202K Mississippi $106K $57K - $202K West Virginia $106K $66K - $185K Arkansas $103K $56K - $217K

Financial Manager salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range New York $216K — New Jersey $189K — District of Columbia $181K — Massachusetts $181K — Delaware $180K — California $175K — Colorado $175K — Washington $171K — Virginia $170K — Connecticut $170K — Georgia $163K — Rhode Island $160K — Texas $160K — North Carolina $160K — Illinois $160K — Minnesota $158K — Maryland $157K — South Dakota $152K $110K - $225K Oregon $147K — Florida $143K — New Hampshire $142K — Kansas $139K — Alabama $138K — Pennsylvania $138K — Utah $138K — Wisconsin $138K — Michigan $135K $80K - $239K Maine $134K — Nebraska $134K $82K - $225K Vermont $134K $81K - $210K Missouri $134K $78K - $235K Ohio $133K — Tennessee $133K — Indiana $132K $75K - $218K Arizona $132K — Iowa $131K $77K - $218K North Dakota $130K $85K - $235K South Carolina $128K $75K - $227K Hawaii $127K $76K - $210K Oklahoma $127K $72K - $224K Montana $126K $79K - $225K Kentucky $125K $72K - $218K Nevada $125K $66K - $235K Idaho $124K $77K - $206K Alaska $123K $83K - $199K New Mexico $122K $80K - $205K Louisiana $119K $73K - $209K Wyoming $118K $61K - $202K Mississippi $106K $57K - $202K West Virginia $106K $66K - $185K Arkansas $103K $56K - $217K

Lower ($103K-$160K)Middle (~$160K)Higher ($160K-$216K)

Highest Paying States

- 1.New York$216K

- 2.Current Jersey$189K

- 3.District of Columbia$181K

- 4.Massachusetts$181K

- 5.Delaware$180K

Lowest Paying States

- 1.Arkansas$103K

- 2.West Virginia$106K

- 3.Mississippi$106K

- 4.Wyoming$118K

- 5.Louisiana$119K

Certifications, Training &
- Memberships

Essential

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

AICPA and State Boards of Accountancy

Certification

Verifies expertise in financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, which is often essential or strongly preferred for senior financial managers in many countries.

Recommended

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA Institute

Certification

Covers investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial markets, and is highly valued for roles involving corporate finance, treasury, or investment decisions.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Institute of Management Accountants

Certification

Focuses on management accounting, budgeting, performance measurement, and decision support, making it useful for controllers and financial planners.

Helpful

Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)

Corporate Finance Institute

Certification

Teaches practical skills in financial modeling, valuation, and Excel analysis, which are commonly used by financial managers in planning and reporting.

Professional Memberships

Membership in a financial professional association

Financial Management Association

Membership

Provides access to conferences, research, and networking opportunities focused on corporate finance and financial management best practices.

Work Environment





Remote Work Hybrid (Remote + Office)

Work Setting Traditional office / indoor

Physical Activity Mostly sedentary

Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction

Schedule Extended hours common

Your Skills &

- Attributes

Skills &

Competencies Matches (48)

- Active Listening

Strong Match

- Critical Thinking

Strong Match

- Writing

Good Match

- Monitoring

Good Match

- Social Perceptiveness

Good Match

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Financial Manager a good career?

Financial Manager can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $140K and job outlook is growing (16% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.

What degree do you need to become a Financial Manager?

The typical education requirement for a Financial Manager is a Bachelor's Degree. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.

How long does it take to become a Financial Manager?

Becoming a Financial Manager typically requires about 4 years of undergraduate study. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.

What is the work-life balance like for a Financial Manager?

The work-life balance for a Financial Manager is demanding, often requiring long hours, irregular schedules, or high-pressure situations. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.

What is the job outlook for Financial Manager?

The job outlook for Financial Manager is growing. Employment is projected to grow by 16% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.

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