A finance director is responsible for the finances of a company. They evaluate financial markets, identify solutions and improvements, and prepare reports for management on the company’s financial status that are used to make educated decisions on key financial matters, such as future investments and budgets. Finance directors must have the ability to analyze company performance and risks and drive the financial strategy by recommending solid financial plans. Finance directors also set up and manage the company’s finance IT system.
Finance directors need to have extensive knowledge of accounting, financial, and business principles. They need excellent leadership qualities and should be strategic thinkers to guide the company towards profitability and long-term success. They should be proficient in computer programs such as MS Office and SAP. Outstanding organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are also needed. They must be solid decision-makers and able to implement strategies that work toward company goals and enhance profitability.
Sample job description
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for a finance director is $154,250 per year in the United States and $170,700 with a yearly bonus. Salary ranges can vary depending on education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years of experience.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $162,400 | $198,500 |
| Los Angeles, California | $183,200 | $223,950 |
| Denver, Colorado | $152,700 | $186,600 |
| Washington, DC | $186,000 | $227,350 |
| Miami, Florida | $152,000 | $185,750 |
| Orlando, Florida | $140,200 | $171,350 |
| Tampa, Florida | $141,600 | $173,050 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $148,500 | $181,550 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $170,750 | $208,700 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $184,600 | $225,650 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota | $147,150 | $179,850 |
| New York City, New York | $194,350 | $237,500 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $158,250 | $193,400 |
| Dallas, Texas | $154,050 | $188,300 |
| Houston, Texas | $153,400 | $187,400 |
| Seattle, Washington | $177,650 | $217,150 |
| National Average | $138,800 | $169,650 |
Sample interview questions
- What is your greatest professional achievement?
- What makes a successful financial plan or budget?
- What methods/metrics do you use to evaluate financial performance?
- How would you handle a challenging client?
- Which financial reports are important to upper management and why?
- What key elements would you look at to evaluate the company’s investments?
- Is a cash flow statement enough to tell whether a company is doing well?
- How do you calculate and interpret ROI?
- How do you reward innovation, initiative, and teamwork?
- What is the most challenging part of creating a budget?
- What size budgets have you dealt with?
- Do you have experience managing accounts payable and accounts receivable?
- Tell me about a large financial project you worked on.
- What strategies do you use to prioritize your work?
- What is your leadership style?
- How would you ensure our department is following policies and regulations?
- What methods would you use to work within a tight deadline?
- How would you support an underperforming employee?
- What strategies can you use to evaluate our company’s financial progress?
- What would you do if your ethics were challenged?
