Finance Manager Job Description
A Finance Manager oversees the financial health of an organization by managing accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. They lead the finance team, ensure accurate financial records, and provide strategic financial guidance to leadership. The role combines hands-on financial management with team leadership and strategic planning.
All roles Finance Manager
What does a Finance Manager do?
A Finance Manager manages the monthly close, reviews financial statements, oversees accounts payable and receivable, manages cash flow, leads the budgeting and forecasting process, and ensures compliance with tax and regulatory requirements. They lead and develop the finance team (accountants, analysts, AP/AR staff), implement financial controls and processes, present financial results to leadership, and support strategic decisions with financial analysis. They also manage relationships with external auditors, banks, and tax authorities.
Finance Manager responsibilities
- Oversee the monthly close process and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting
- Manage cash flow, working capital, and banking relationships
- Lead the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting cycles
- Supervise, coach, and develop the finance team (accountants, analysts, AP/AR staff)
- Implement and maintain financial controls, policies, and procedures
- Ensure compliance with tax regulations, accounting standards, and audit requirements
- Prepare and present financial reports to the executive team and board
- Evaluate and select financial systems, tools, and service providers
- Partner with department heads on financial planning and cost management
- Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and banking partners
Essential requirements
- Experience managing a finance or accounting team
- Strong knowledge of GAAP or IFRS and financial reporting requirements
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management
- Proficiency with accounting software and ERP systems
- Leadership skills for managing and developing finance professionals
- Ability to present financial data clearly to non-finance executives
Preferred qualifications
- CPA, CMA, or MBA in Finance
- Experience implementing or optimizing ERP systems
- Track record of improving financial processes and controls
- Experience with multi-entity or international accounting
- Background in the specific industry (SaaS, manufacturing, services)
Core skills
Technical / professional skills
- ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Sage Intacct)
- Accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero)
- Financial reporting and consolidation
- Budgeting and forecasting tools (Adaptive Insights, Anaplan, Excel)
- Cash flow management and treasury operations
- Tax compliance and regulatory reporting
- Internal controls and audit management
Soft skills
- Leadership — building and developing a high-performing finance team
- Strategic thinking — connecting financial performance to business strategy
- Communication — presenting financial results and recommendations clearly
- Decision-making — balancing accuracy with speed in financial judgments
- Integrity — maintaining the highest standards of financial accuracy and transparency
Experience and education guidance
Most Finance Manager roles require 7-10 years of accounting and finance experience with at least 3 years in a management or supervisory capacity. The role requires someone who can both manage the team's day-to-day work and provide strategic financial guidance. Experience managing the close process, leading budgeting cycles, and working with external auditors is typically essential.
A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required. CPA or CMA certification is often preferred or required. An MBA with a finance concentration can be valuable for senior Finance Manager roles that involve significant strategic planning and executive interaction.
What to include in this job description
Include the team size managed, the accounting software and ERP systems used, the company's financial complexity (multi-entity, international, compliance-heavy), whether the role reports to a CFO or VP of Finance, and any specific finance challenges (scaling systems, improving controls, managing audit). Be clear about whether the role is primarily operational or strategic.
Common job description mistakes for this role
Common mistakes include describing the role as a senior accountant (missing the leadership and strategic aspects), not specifying the team size or reporting structure, listing only accounting responsibilities without financial planning, and failing to mention the strategic advisory aspect of the role.
How to customize this job description
After generating a Finance Manager job description, adjust the balance between operational management and strategic advisory. If the company has a CFO, the Finance Manager may focus more on operations. If the role is the most senior finance position, emphasize strategy and leadership. Add specifics about the company's financial systems and any improvement initiatives.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Finance Manager do?
A Finance Manager oversees the financial health of an organization by managing accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. They lead the finance team, provide strategic financial guidance, and ensure accurate financial records.
What is the difference between a Finance Manager and a CFO?
A Finance Manager typically manages day-to-day financial operations and the finance team, while a CFO provides strategic financial leadership to the executive team and board. A Finance Manager reports to the CFO in most organizations. In smaller companies, the Finance Manager may serve as the most senior finance person.
What skills does a Finance Manager need?
Key skills include team leadership, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, accounting standards knowledge (GAAP/IFRS), ERP proficiency, and the ability to present financial data to executives. The role requires both technical finance skills and management capabilities.
Create a Finance Manager job description
Use InstantJD to generate a scored, editable, hiring-ready version — free for verified employers.