Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Financial Manager
What financial managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a financial manager?
Review cash position. From there, the day usually includes prepare financial reports, lead budgeting and forecasting, and manage cash and investments. Full time, with long hours at month-end, year-end and budget season.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a financial manager working full time.
- Review cash position.
- Meet the accounting team on month-end close.
- Update the forecast.
- Lunch with the bank.
- Review a capital request.
- Present results to the CEO.
- Plan the audit.
Where financial managers work
Financial managers work in offices at companies, banks, governments and nonprofits.
Hours and schedule
Full time, with long hours at month-end, year-end and budget season.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Prepare financial reports
- Lead budgeting and forecasting
- Manage cash and investments
- Oversee accounting staff
- Work with auditors
- Advise leaders on decisions
- Manage financial risk
Tools you’ll use every day
- ERP systems
- Excel
- FP&A software
- Business intelligence tools
- Treasury systems
- Accounting software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay
- Faster-than-average growth
- Strategic influence
- Every industry needs finance
What’s hard
- Deadline pressure
- Long close and audit periods
- High responsibility
- Regulatory changes
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love numbers
- I like advising leaders
- I’m detail-oriented
- I can handle deadlines
- I value integrity
- I want strong pay
Not sure? Take the free Financial Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Maintain internal controls
- Prevent fraud
- Protect financial data
- Follow reporting regulations