Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Financial Manager
💰 $110,000 - $165,000
🎯 Role Definition
This role requires a dynamic, strategic, and results-driven Financial Manager to join our leadership team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for the overall financial health of the organization, guiding our financial decisions and ensuring robust fiscal governance. You will lead a talented team and partner closely with executive leadership and department heads to translate complex financial data into actionable business strategies. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about building scalable financial processes that support sustainable growth.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Senior Financial Analyst (FP&A)
- Accounting Manager
- Senior Accountant (with leadership experience)
Advancement To:
- Director of Finance
- Corporate Controller
- Vice President (VP) of Finance / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Lateral Moves:
- Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Treasury Manager
- Business Unit Controller
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Oversee and direct all general accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger management, and fixed assets.
- Lead the comprehensive financial planning and analysis (FP&A) cycle, encompassing annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range strategic financial modeling.
- Prepare, analyze, and present timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and/or IFRS standards.
- Develop and deliver insightful management reports, dashboards, and financial presentations for senior leadership, the board of directors, and key stakeholders.
- Analyze financial performance against budget and forecast, identifying key trends, risks, and opportunities, and providing actionable recommendations for improvement.
- Manage and forecast the company's cash flow, optimizing working capital and overseeing banking relationships and treasury functions.
- Spearhead the annual external audit process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors and ensuring a smooth and efficient audit engagement.
- Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal tax regulations and government reporting requirements, managing all tax filing and reporting activities.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with department heads across the organization to build and manage their budgets, providing financial guidance to support their operational and strategic decisions.
- Evaluate the financial impact of long-range strategic initiatives, new business ventures, M&A opportunities, and significant capital investments.
- Develop and maintain robust internal controls and financial policies to safeguard company assets and ensure the integrity of financial data.
- Drive the continuous improvement of financial systems, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
- Manage the capital expenditure (CapEx) approval and budgeting process, tracking spend and evaluating ROI on key projects.
- Create sophisticated financial models to support strategic decision-making, including pricing analysis, profitability studies, and scenario planning.
- Assess and mitigate financial risks facing the company, including currency fluctuations, interest rate changes, and credit risks.
- Review key contracts, agreements, and negotiations from a financial perspective to ensure favorable terms and risk mitigation.
- Manage relationships with financial institutions, investors, and other external partners, effectively communicating the company's financial position.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and business drivers, analyzing variances and collaborating with teams to initiate corrective actions.
- Provide financial leadership and support for potential merger and acquisition (M&A) activities, including due diligence and integration planning.
Secondary Functions
- Support M&A due diligence activities and post-acquisition financial integration.
- Assist with investor relations, including the preparation of materials for investor calls and meetings.
- Participate in cross-functional strategic projects, providing the financial perspective and analytical support.
- Contribute to the evolution of the company's ERP and financial systems by identifying needs and participating in implementation projects.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and long-range strategic planning.
- Financial Reporting: Mastery of preparing and analyzing financial statements under GAAP and/or IFRS.
- Advanced Financial Modeling: Ability to build complex, dynamic financial models in Excel or other planning software.
- ERP Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience with major ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics.
- Data Analysis & Visualization: Skill in using tools like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI to extract and present financial insights.
- Internal Controls & Compliance: Deep understanding of designing and implementing internal controls (e.g., SOX).
- Treasury & Cash Management: Proven ability to manage cash flow, working capital, and banking relationships.
- Tax & Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of corporate tax principles and government reporting requirements.
- Advanced Excel: Expert-level proficiency, including pivot tables, complex formulas, Power Query, and macros.
Soft Skills
- Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a finance team.
- Strategic Thinking: Capacity to see the big picture and provide financial insights that align with long-term business goals.
- Exceptional Communication: Articulate communicator, able to present complex financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.
- Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business operations and the drivers of profitability.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: A detail-oriented and inquisitive mindset for dissecting problems and proposing solutions.
- Interpersonal Skills & Collaboration: A natural ability to build relationships and partner effectively across all levels of the organization.
- High Ethical Standards: Unwavering integrity and commitment to ethical financial practices.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.
Preferred Education:
- Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
- Business Administration
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 7-10+ years of progressive experience in finance and accounting roles.
Preferred:
- At least 3-5 years of experience in a management or leadership capacity.
- Experience within a relevant industry (e.g., SaaS, manufacturing, retail, technology).
- A combination of public accounting (Big 4 preferred) and private industry experience is highly desirable.