Practically every firm whether in manufacturing, communications, finance, education, or health care has one or more financial managers. Some of them are treasurers, controllers, credit managers, cash managers; they prepare the financial reports required by the firm to conduct its operations and to ensure that the firm satisfies tax and regulatory requirements. Financial managers also oversee the flow of cash and financial instruments, monitor the extension of credit, assess the risk of transactions, raise capital, analyze investments, develop information to assess the present and future financial status of the firm, and communicate with stock holders and other investors.
In small firms, chief financial officers usually handle all financial management functions. However, in large firms, these officers oversee all financial management departments and help top managers develop financial and economic policy and establish procedures, delegate authority, and oversee the implementation of these policies.
Highly trained and experienced financial managers head each financial department. Controllers direct the preparation of all financial reports for example, income statements, balance sheets, and special reports such as depreciation schedules. They oversee the accounting, audit, or budget departments. Cash and credit managers monitor and control the flow of cash receipts and disbursements to meet the business and investment needs of the firm. For example, cash flow projections are needed to determine whether loans must be obtained to meet cash requirements, or whether surplus cash may be invested in interest-bearing instruments. Risk and insurance managers oversee programs to minimize risks and losses that may arise from financial transactions and business operations undertaken by the institution. Credit operations managers establish credit rating criteria, determine credit ceilings, and monitor their institution's extension of credit. Reserve officers review their institution's financial statements and direct the purchase and sale of bonds and other securities to maintain the asset-liability ratio required by law. User representatives in international accounting develop integrated international financial and accounting systems for the banking transactions of multinational organizations. A working knowledge of the financial systems of foreign countries is essential.
Financial institutions such as banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, personal credit institutions, and finance companies may serve as depositories for cash and financial instruments and offer loans, investment counseling, consumer credit, trust management, and other financial services. Some specialize in specific financial services. Financial managers in financial institutions include vice presidents who may head one or more financial departments bank branch managers, savings and loan association managers, consumer credit managers, and credit union managers, for example. These managers make decisions in accordance with policy set by the institution's board of directors and Federal and State laws and regulations.
Due to changing regulations and increased government scrutiny, financial managers in financial institutions must place greater emphasis on accurate reporting of financial data. They must have detailed knowledge of industries allied to banking such as insurance, real estate, and securities and broad knowledge of business and industrial activities. With growing domestic and foreign competition, knowledge of an expanding and increasingly complex variety of financial services is becoming a necessity for financial managers in financial institutions and other corporations. Besides supervising financial services, financial managers in financial institutions may advise individuals and businesses on financial planning.
Outstanding financial managers are prime candidates for promotion to top management jobs.
Financial managers are provided with comfortable offices, often close to top managers and to departments which develop the financial data these managers need. Although overtime may sometimes be required, financial managers typically work a 40-hour week. Attendance at meetings of financial and economic associations and similar activities is often required. In very large corporations, some traveling to subsidiary firms and to customer accounts may be necessary.
Financial managers held about 701,000 jobs in 1992. Although these managers are found in virtually every industry, one-third were employed by financial institutions banks, savings institutions, finance companies, credit unions, insurance companies, securities dealers, and real estate firms, for example. Nearly another third were employed by services industries, including business, health, social, and management services.
A bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, or in business administration with an emphasis on accounting or finance, is suitable academic preparation for financial managers. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is increasingly valued by employers. Many financial management positions are filled by promoting experienced, technically skilled professional personnel for example, accountants, budget analysts, credit analysts, insurance analysts, loan officers, and securities analysts or accounting or related department supervisors in large institutions.
Due to the growing complexity of global trade, shifting Federal and State laws and regulations, and a proliferation of new, complex financial instruments, continuing education is becoming vital for financial mangers. Firms often provide opportunities for workers to broaden their knowledge and skills and encourage employees to take graduate courses at colleges and universities or attend conferences sponsored by the company. In addition, financial management, banking, and credit union associations, often in cooperation with colleges and universities, sponsor numerous national or local training programs. Persons enrolled prepare extensively at home, then attend sessions on subjects such as accounting management, budget management, corporate cash management, financial analysis, international banking, and data processing and management information systems. Many firms pay all or part of the costs for those who successfully complete courses. Although experience, ability, and leadership are emphasized for promotion, advancement may be accelerated by this type of special study.
In some cases, financial managers may also broaden their skills and exhibit their competency in specialized fields by attaining professional certification. For example, the Association for Investment Management and Research confers the Chartered Financial Analyst designation to investment professionals who have a bachelor's degree, pass three test levels, and have 3 or more years of experience in the field. The National Association of Credit Management administers a three-part certification program for business credit professionals. Through a combination of experience and examinations, these financial managers pass through the level of Credit Business Associate, to Credit Business Fellow, to Certified Credit Executive. The Treasury Management Association confers the Certified Cash Manager designation to those who pass an examination and have 2 years of relevant experience.
Persons interested in becoming financial managers should like to work independently, deal with people, and analyze detailed account information. The ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, is increasingly important. They also need tact, good judgment, and the ability to establish effective personal relationships to oversee supervisory and professional staff members.
Financial analysis and management have been revolutionized by technological improvements in personal computers and data processing equipment. Knowledge of their applications is vital to upgrade managerial skills and to enhance advancement opportunities.
Because financial management is critical for efficient business operations, well-trained, experienced financial managers who display a strong grasp of the operations of various departments within their organization are prime candidates for promotion to top management positions. Some financial managers transfer to closely related positions in other industries. Those with extensive experience and access to sufficient capital may head their own consulting firms.
Like other managerial occupations, the number of applicants for financial management positions is expected to exceed the number of job openings, resulting in competition for jobs. Employment of financial managers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. In addition, job openings will arise each year as financial managers transfer to other occupations, start their own businesses, or retire. Similar to other managers, most financial managers who leave their jobs seek other positions in their field; relatively few experienced workers leave the occupation permanently each year.
Although the need for skilled financial management will increase due to the demands of global trade, the proliferation of complex financial instruments, and continually changing Federal and State laws and regulations, employment growth among financial managers will be tempered by corporate restructuring and downsizing in many industries. Many firms are reducing their ranks of middle managers in an effort to be more efficient and competitive. Similarly, as the banking industry consolidates and banks merge their operations, some financial management positions may be eliminated. These forces will prevent the growing need for skilled financial managers from resulting in dramatic employment growth.
Many opportunities will still exist for the most skilled, adaptable, and knowledgeable financial managers. Those who keep abreast of the latest financial instruments and changing regulations, and those familiar with a range of financial services for example, banking, business credit, credit unions, insurance, real estate, and securities and with data processing and management information systems will enjoy the best employment opportunities. Developing expertise in a rapidly growing industry, such as health care, also may prove helpful.
The median annual salary of financial managers was $39,700 in 1992. The lowest 10 percent earned $20,200 or less, while the top 10 percent earned over $77,800.
According to a survey by Robert Half International, a staffing services firm specializing in accounting and finance, salaries of chief financial officers/treasurers ranged from $56,000 in the smallest firms to $290,000 in the largest firms in 1993; controllers, $44,000 to $129,000; and assistant controllers, $38,000 to $75,000.
The salary level depends upon the manager's experience and the size and location of the organization, and is likely to be higher in large organizations and cities. Many financial managers in private industry receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses, which also vary substantially by size of firm.
Financial managers combine formal education with experience in one or more areas of finance such as asset management, lending, credit operations, securities investment, or insurance risk and loss control. Workers in other occupations which require similar training and ability include accountants and auditors, budget officers, credit analysts, loan officers, insurance consultants, portfolio managers, pension consultants, real estate advisors, securities analysts, and underwriters.
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Reprinted with Permission of U. S. Department of Labor