Finance manager job description

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A finance manager oversees the financial condition of a business. This involves monitoring cash levels and ensuring that the organization can pay its bills on time and grow at a planned rate. The finance manager uses financial plans to anticipate when cash will be needed and how much must be raised, while also maintaining a balanced capital structure.

The functions of the finance manager position can be considered identical to a treasurer position, or as a "light" treasurer who has additional analysis responsibilities that include support of the management team in a variety of operational decisions. This job description assumes the latter view of the finance manager position. As such, the finance manager should manage funds in such a manner as to maximize return on investment while minimizing risk, and while also ensuring that an adequate control structure is in place over the transfer and investment of funds. Further, the finance manager engages in financial analysis in such areas as forecasting, budgeting, engaging in cost reduction analysis, and reviewing operational performance. The position is considered to be more senior than the financial analyst position.

Related AccountingTools Courses

Corporate Cash Management

Corporate Finance

Treasurer's Guidebook

Principal Accountabilities

Management

  1. Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures

  2. Manage outsourced functions

  3. Oversee the operations of the treasury department, including the design of an organizational structure adequate for achieving the department's goals and objectives

Funds Management

  1. Forecast cash flow positions, related borrowing needs, and available funds for investment

  2. Ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet ongoing operational and capital investment requirements

  3. Use hedging to mitigate financial risks related to the interest rates on the company's borrowings, as well as on its foreign exchange positions

  4. Maintain banking relationships

  5. Assist in determining the company's proper capital structure

  6. Arrange for equity financing and debt financing

  7. Invest funds

  8. Recommend appropriate dividend issuances, based on historical dividend patterns and expected cash flows

Budgeting

  1. Manage the preparation of the company's budget

  2. Report to management on variances from the established budget, and the reasons for those variances

  3. Assist management in the formulation of its overall strategic direction

Financial Analysis

  1. Engage in ongoing cost reduction analyses in all areas of the company

  2. Review the performance of competitors and report on key issues to management

  3. Engage in benchmarking studies to establish areas of potential operational improvement

  4. Interpret the company's financial results to management and recommend improvement activities

  5. Review company bottlenecks and recommend changes to improve the overall level of company throughput

  6. Participate in target costing activities to create products that meeting predetermined price goals

  7. Assist in the determination of product pricing in relation to features offered and competitor pricing

  8. Compile key business metrics and report on them to management

  9. Manage the capital budgeting process, based on constraint analysis and discounted cash flow analysis

  10. Create additional analyses and reports as requested by management

Additional Accountabilities

  1. Oversee the extension of credit to customers

  2. Recommend changes to the corporate credit policy

Finance Manager Experience Requirements

A finance manager should have ten or more years of progressively responsible experience with a major company or a division of a large corporation. Or, if your business is a smaller one, it may be acceptable to hire someone with three to five years of relevant experience, such as an audit senior who has worked for a major CPA firm. In essence, the level of experience required depends on the size, complexity, and financing requirements of your business.

Desired Qualifications

The finance manager candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting, or equivalent business experience. Preference will be given to candidates with the Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designations. Excellent communication skills are essential, particularly in regard to presenting the results of analyses to management. Should have an outstanding knowledge of electronic spreadsheets.

Working Conditions

Primarily in an office environment. Will be expected to travel as needed to company subsidiaries.

Supervises

All treasury staff, as well as financial analysts and cost accountants.