Accountant
Prepare and examine financial records, taxes and reports that guide business decisions.
- $83,680
- 4+ years
Business & Office career
Financial Manager
Also called: Controller · Finance Director · Treasurer · CFO
What financial managers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a financial manager do?
Financial managers direct financial activities such as preparing reports, managing investments, budgeting and long-term financial planning. The median pay is $166,570 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5+ years of experience, and employment is projected to grow +9.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$166,570$80.08/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+9.7%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year65,600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train5+ years of experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs879,700Employment, 2025
What financial managers do
Financial managers keep an organization financially healthy. Controllers run accounting and reports, treasurers manage cash and investments, and finance directors and CFOs lead budgeting, forecasting and financial strategy. They advise leaders on decisions and work with auditors, banks and investors.
Most have a bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting and five or more years of experience; many have a CPA or MBA. BLS projects faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Prepare financial reports
- Lead budgeting and forecasting
- Manage cash and investments
- Oversee accounting staff
- Work with auditors
- Advise leaders on decisions
- Manage financial risk
Work environment and schedule
Financial managers work in offices at companies, banks, governments and nonprofits.
Schedule: Full time, with long hours at month-end, year-end and budget season.
A day in the life
- Review cash position.
- Meet the accounting team on month-end close.
- Update the forecast.
- Lunch with the bank.
See a full day in the life of a financial manager →
Financial Manager salary
Half of financial managers earned more than $166,570 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $94,310 for the lowest 10% to $323,270 for the top 10%.
Full financial manager pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a financial manager
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Work as an analyst or accountant
- Earn a CPA or CFA
- Lead a team
- Become a controller or director
A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or economics is typical, often with a CPA or MBA.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a financial manager →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Financial reporting
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Cash management
- Accounting standards
- Financial modeling
People skills
- Leadership
- Integrity
- Communication
- Analytical thinking
All financial manager skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay
- Faster-than-average growth
- Strategic influence
- Every industry needs finance
Cons
- Deadline pressure
- Long close and audit periods
- High responsibility
- Regulatory changes
Certifications and licenses
- CPA: Certified Public Accountant.
- CFA: Chartered Financial Analyst.
- CMA: Certified Management Accountant.
- MBA: Graduate degree.
Career path
- Financial Analyst or Accountant: Entry.
- Finance Manager: Lead a team.
- Controller or Director: Lead finance.
- CFO: Top finance role.
Learn the job before day one
Our Financial Manager training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as speed up the month-end close and build a 13-week cash forecast, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Financial Analyst
Analyze financial data to guide business and investment decisions.
- $102,740
- 4 years
Budget Analyst
Help organizations plan spending and stick to their budgets.
- $91,640
- Entry-level with a degree
Chief Executive
Set the direction for an entire organization and answer for its results.
- $213,990
- 15+ years of experience
Compare: Financial Manager vs. Accountant · Financial Manager vs. Financial Analyst · Financial Manager vs. Budget Analyst · Financial Manager vs. Chief Executive
Financial Manager FAQ
Do financial managers need a CPA?
Not always, but it’s common for controllers.
Is this job growing?
Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.
What’s the difference between a controller and CFO?
Controllers run accounting; CFOs lead overall finance strategy.
How much does a financial manager make?
The median annual wage for financial managers was $166,570 ($80.08 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $94,310 and the highest 10% earned more than $323,270.
How long does it take to become a financial manager?
Most people need about 5+ years of experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or economics is typical, often with a CPA or MBA.
Do you need a degree to be a financial manager?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More financial manager questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-3031 (Financial managers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Financial managers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.