What Does a Finance Director Do?
A finance director leads the financial planning, analysis, and reporting functions of an organization to ensure sound financial management and strategic alignment with business goals. They oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and internal controls, working closely with senior leadership to guide decisions that support growth and sustainability.
This executive-level role typically manages accounting teams, finance managers, and analysts, providing financial insights that influence company-wide initiatives. Finance directors ensure regulatory compliance, optimize financial performance, and drive operational efficiency by aligning financial strategy with long-term organizational goals.
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Finance Director Core Responsibilities
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes
- Analyze financial performance and prepare reports for senior leadership and stakeholders
- Manage accounting operations and ensure accurate month-end and year-end close
- Monitor cash flow, working capital, and investment strategies
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, IFRS, tax regulations, and internal policies
- Partner with executive teams on strategic initiatives and M&A opportunities
- Supervise financial staff and oversee professional development within the finance department
- Evaluate and improve internal controls and risk management frameworks
- Oversee audits, both internal and external, and prepare supporting documentation
- Implement financial systems and drive automation to improve reporting accuracy and timeliness
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, and forecasting
- Proficiency with ERP and financial software (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, Oracle)
- Ability to interpret financial data and translate it into actionable strategy
- Familiarity with compliance, audit preparation, and risk assessment
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
- Executive-level communication and presentation skills
- Strategic thinker with a problem-solving mindset
- High attention to detail and integrity under pressure
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related field
- Master’s degree in finance or business administration (MBA) preferred
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
CFA or Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) certifications may be preferred depending on industry.
Preferred Qualifications
- 8+ years of progressive finance or accounting experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role
- Experience managing cross-functional teams or finance departments
- Familiarity with industry-specific regulations (e.g., healthcare, nonprofit, manufacturing)
- Background in financial modeling, scenario planning, or capital investment strategy
National Average Salary
Finance director salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Finance Director is:
$148,750
Sample Job Description Templates for Finance Directors
Corporate Finance Director
Position Overview
We are seeking a Corporate Finance Director to lead financial planning, performance analysis, and strategic decision support for our growing organization. This role is responsible for driving profitability, managing financial risk, and aligning resources with business objectives. The ideal candidate brings a mix of analytical rigor, operational insight, and executive-level communication.
Responsibilities
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling across departments
- Analyze key financial metrics to support strategic planning and investment decisions
- Lead monthly and quarterly financial reviews with business unit leaders
- Implement cost controls and margin optimization initiatives
- Manage treasury functions, including cash flow, debt, and capital structure
- Ensure compliance with GAAP and coordinate external audits
- Lead ERP system improvements and financial process automation
- Provide financial insight for M&A, pricing, and expansion initiatives
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in corporate finance, FP&A, and GAAP compliance
- Advanced Excel modeling and proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, NetSuite)
- Experience managing corporate-level P&L and cash flow forecasts
Soft skills
- Strategic mindset with a bias for action
- Excellent communication with executive stakeholders
- Team-oriented leadership style with strong mentoring ability
Education
- Bachelor’s in finance, accounting, or economics
- MBA preferred
Certifications
- CPA or CMA required
CFA certification is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in corporate finance roles, including team leadership
- Experience in a public or PE-backed company environment
Nonprofit Finance Director
Position Overview
Our organization is hiring a Nonprofit Finance Director to lead financial operations, grant compliance, and budgeting in alignment with our mission. This role ensures the fiscal integrity of the organization, manages restricted and unrestricted funds, and partners with leadership to support programmatic growth.
Responsibilities
- Manage annual budgeting, multi-year forecasting, and program-level financial tracking
- Ensure grant compliance and accurate reporting to funders and government agencies
- Oversee accounting, payroll, and donor-related financial processes
- Maintain internal controls and documentation for audits and 990 filings
- Prepare financial reports for the executive team, board, and development staff
- Collaborate with program managers on budget allocations and performance metrics
- Monitor cash flow and develop contingency planning strategies
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and GAAP
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of nonprofit fund accounting and FASB standards
- Proficiency with QuickBooks Nonprofit, Blackbaud, or similar tools
- Experience with grant tracking, financial reporting, and 501(c)(3) regulations
Soft skills
- Mission-driven and fiscally disciplined
- Ability to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders
- Collaborative and detail-oriented
Education
- Bachelor’s in accounting, finance, or nonprofit management
- Master’s degree preferred
Certifications
- CPA required
CMA or nonprofit accounting certification is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years in nonprofit finance roles
- Experience with federal grants (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance) and donor-funded reporting
Government Finance Director
Position Overview
We are seeking a Government Finance Director to oversee the financial operations of our municipal department. This role manages the development of the annual budget, monitors expenditures, ensures compliance with public finance regulations, and supports long-term fiscal sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Develop and administer the annual operating and capital improvement budgets
- Prepare financial reports for city council, department heads, and oversight boards
- Monitor expenditures and manage fund allocations across departments
- Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, including GASB standards
- Coordinate internal and external audits and assist with CAFR preparation
- Oversee procurement policy, payroll, and tax reporting requirements
- Evaluate financial controls and recommend process improvements
- Lead public presentations on budget proposals and financial updates
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in municipal budgeting, fund accounting, and GASB compliance
- Familiarity with Tyler Munis, OpenGov, or similar government ERP systems
- Understanding of grant funding, tax revenue, and intergovernmental finance
Soft skills
- Strong public communication and policy interpretation skills
- Collaborative leadership across departments and elected officials
- High attention to legal and regulatory detail
Education
- Bachelor’s in public administration, finance, or accounting
- MPA or MBA preferred
Certifications
- CPA or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) required
GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) training preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- 8+ years of progressively responsible government finance experience
- Experience presenting budgets in public forums or to governing bodies
Healthcare Finance Director
Position Overview
We are hiring a Healthcare Finance Director to lead financial strategy and operations within a clinical or hospital environment. This role is responsible for overseeing budgeting, cost reporting, and reimbursement analysis to ensure sustainable and compliant healthcare operations.
Responsibilities
- Lead development of annual budgets and rolling forecasts for clinical departments
- Monitor revenue cycle performance and payer reimbursement trends
- Conduct margin analysis and evaluate cost-saving opportunities across service lines
- Ensure compliance with Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance requirements
- Collaborate with department heads on productivity, staffing, and utilization metrics
- Prepare reports for finance committees, executive teams, and health system stakeholders
- Oversee audits, compliance reviews, and financial risk assessments
- Maintain accurate reporting of case mix, DRG billing, and charge capture
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong understanding of healthcare reimbursement models and payer contracts
- Proficiency in cost accounting and productivity tracking tools
- Familiarity with Epic, Cerner, or healthcare ERP/EMR platforms
Soft skills
- Detail-focused and data-driven decision-making
- Collaborative communication with clinicians and finance peers
- High ethical standards and confidentiality
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, finance, or accounting
- Master’s degree preferred
Certifications
- CPA or CHFP (Certified Healthcare Financial Professional) required
HFMA membership is strongly recommended.
Preferred Qualifications
- 8–10 years of healthcare finance experience, including leadership roles
- Experience working in a hospital, health system, or multi-site clinic environment