How to become a financial manager
Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not..A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
What financial managers do
- Establish and maintain relationships with individual or business customers or provide assistance with problems these customers may encounter.
- Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of workers in branches, offices, or departments of establishments, such as branch banks, brokerage firms, risk and insurance departments, or credit departments.
- Oversee training programs.
- Oversee the flow of cash or financial instruments.
- Recruit staff members.
- Evaluate data pertaining to costs to plan budgets.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
Is financial manager a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 227% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- New York $219,880
- Massachusetts $206,760
- New Jersey $199,110
- District of Columbia $188,880
- Virginia $185,220
Financial Managers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.