Financial Manager

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Work Tasks

• Keep records of money a business makes and what it spends in taxes, wages, and benefits
• Look at how much money a business made in the past and estimate what it will make in the future
• Tell management about new tax laws and insurance changes; make reports to government
• Give management advice on what to do with company money
• Work in offices for banks, insurance companies, real estate firms, schools, hospitals, etc.
• Use computers, government reports, tax forms, insurance policies, audits, calculators, and financial reports

Salary, Size & Growth

• $90,000 average per year ($43.25 per hour)
• A large occupation (478,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in business administration, economics, finance, or risk management
• Skills/Courses: Must have analytical skills, knowledge of the latest financial analysis methods, and ability to use computers to manage information. A foreign language may be helpful.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available after several years of experience and passing a test.