What Does a Financial Manager Do?
A financial manager oversees the daily financial operations of an organization, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective budgeting, and overall fiscal responsibility. They supervise finance staff, manage processes like forecasting and cash flow tracking, and partner with leadership to maintain financial health and support growth.
Working across departments, financial managers analyze performance metrics, maintain compliance with financial regulations, and implement strategies to improve efficiency. This role is essential for aligning operational finances with long-term business goals and ensuring the organization stays on track financially.
Looking to Hire a Financial Manager?
Speak with one of our recruiting experts today.
Financial Manager Core Responsibilities
- Manage daily operations of the finance department, including supervising staff
- Develop and oversee budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes
- Analyze financial data to identify performance trends and risks
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements
- Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements
- Monitor cash flow and coordinate treasury functions
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for leadership
- Support audits, tax filings, and internal controls
- Recommend process improvements for financial efficiency and accuracy
- Collaborate with department heads to align budgets and financial strategies
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in financial reporting, forecasting, and variance analysis
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, NetSuite, SAP)
- Strong understanding of GAAP and financial regulations
- Competence in managing accounting operations and closing processes
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and team management
- Analytical problem-solving and decision-making
- Effective communication across technical and non-technical teams
- High attention to accuracy and compliance
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics
Certifications
- CPA or CMA preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in finance or accounting roles, including team leadership
- Experience supporting audits or working in a regulated industry
- Background in budgeting for multi-department or multi-entity organizations
National Average Salary
Financial manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Financial Manager is:
$130,112
Sample Job Description Templates for Financial Managers
Corporate Financial Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Corporate Financial Manager to lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting across the organization. This role plays a critical part in guiding business decisions through data-driven insights, maintaining financial compliance, and optimizing operational performance. You’ll work closely with executive leadership to align financial planning with strategic goals.
Responsibilities
- Manage budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking across departments
- Prepare consolidated financial reports for senior leadership and stakeholders
- Lead financial close processes and ensure accuracy of journal entries and reconciliations
- Monitor cash flow, working capital, and capital expenditures
- Support cross-functional financial reviews and planning initiatives
- Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal control standards
- Supervise and mentor financial analysts and accounting staff
- Coordinate with auditors and tax consultants during annual reviews
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced Excel skills and ERP proficiency (NetSuite, Oracle, SAP)
- Knowledge of GAAP and financial statement preparation
- Experience managing department budgets and variance reporting
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and interpersonal communication
- Strategic thinker with high attention to accuracy
- Ability to drive financial improvement through collaboration
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business
Certifications
- CPA or CMA preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in a corporate finance environment
- Exposure to M&A activity or investor reporting
Healthcare Financial Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Healthcare Financial Manager to oversee budgeting, revenue cycle analytics, and compliance with industry regulations in a clinical or hospital setting. This role ensures fiscal responsibility while supporting quality care initiatives and long-term financial sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Develop department-level budgets and monitor performance against targets
- Analyze reimbursement trends from government and commercial payers
- Track key financial metrics including case mix, length of stay, and service line margins
- Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA)
- Collaborate with department heads to identify cost-reduction opportunities
- Support financial audits, Medicare cost reports, and grant tracking
- Supervise financial analysts and revenue cycle staff
- Partner with IT to streamline data reporting and dashboarding
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of healthcare finance, revenue cycle, and payer contracting
- Familiarity with EMR and ERP systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner, McKesson)
- Experience preparing cost reports and conducting service line profitability reviews
Soft skills
- Analytical mindset with clinical sensitivity
- Strong communicator with cross-functional teams
- Deadline-oriented and organized
Education
- Bachelor’s in finance, healthcare administration, or accounting
Certifications
- CPA or HFMA’s Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years in healthcare finance or revenue cycle management
- Experience in a hospital, clinic network, or health system
Manufacturing Financial Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Manufacturing Financial Manager to manage plant-level budgeting, cost controls, and margin optimization efforts. This role supports operational decision-making by aligning financial reporting with production KPIs and cost efficiency initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Lead monthly close, cost accounting, and inventory valuation processes
- Develop standard cost models and monitor variances in labor, materials, and overhead
- Analyze profitability by product line, plant, or SKU
- Collaborate with operations and supply chain on capital planning and cost efficiency
- Prepare reports on manufacturing KPIs, throughput, and yield
- Ensure accurate tracking of raw materials and WIP inventory
- Oversee audits related to cost structures and internal controls
- Mentor cost accountants and analysts
Requirements
Hard skills
- Cost accounting expertise and ERP proficiency (SAP, JD Edwards, or Oracle)
- Experience with manufacturing KPIs and production costing models
- Familiarity with inventory management and variance analysis
Soft skills
- Problem-solver with attention to operational details
- Strong communicator with cross-functional leadership
- Ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or industrial engineering
Certifications
- CPA or CMA preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years in a manufacturing or industrial finance role
- Experience with lean manufacturing or Six Sigma initiatives
Nonprofit Financial Manager
Position Overview
We are looking for a Nonprofit Financial Manager to oversee fund accounting, grant tracking, and financial reporting for a mission-driven organization. This role supports leadership by ensuring transparency, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of donor and grant funds.
Responsibilities
- Maintain accounting for restricted and unrestricted funds
- Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cash flow reports for board and leadership
- Ensure compliance with FASB and funder reporting requirements
- Manage grant documentation, reimbursement submissions, and audit readiness
- Oversee payroll, AP/AR, and donor-restricted financials
- Partner with program staff to support financial aspects of grant management
- Maintain records for 990 preparation and annual audit
- Train and supervise finance staff on nonprofit accounting procedures
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in nonprofit accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks Nonprofit, Blackbaud)
- Understanding of FASB, 2 CFR Part 200, and OMB Uniform Guidance
- Experience with grant budgeting and cost tracking
Soft skills
- Mission-driven and fiscally responsible
- Strong documentation and organizational habits
- Ability to communicate financial data to non-financial stakeholders
Education
- Bachelor’s in accounting, nonprofit management, or public administration
Certifications
- CPA preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in nonprofit finance roles
- Experience managing multi-grant funding sources or government contracts