Career Advice for a Finance Manager

Finance managers are responsible for overseeing the financial activities within an organisation. They research, audit, and plan for budgeting and create forecasts based on market conditions. In addition, finance managers oversee the accounting teams and ensure all activities are conducted according to local and national regulations.

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How to Become a Finance Manager

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Finance Manager

Should you wish to work as a Finance Manager you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Finance Manager

  • 2 or 3 A Levels
  • Degree in Management, Finance or Economics
  • Financial Services Administrator Apprenticeship

Key Responsibilities for a Finance Manager

  • Planning financial tasks
  • Executing financial plans for the organisation
  • Estimating funds and determining long-term and short-term investment strategies
  • Compiling financial reports
  • Carrying our month-end and year-end reporting
  • Developing plans for budgeting
  • Strategising fund procurements
  • Making investments and minimising risks
  • Providing financial analysis to assist in forecasting and business planning
  • Reporting to senior management on financial health of business

What to expect as a Finance Manager

Finance managers oversee and drive the financial duties of a business. They manage accounts staff, create forecasts and implement investment and fund management plans. To succeed, you will need excellent communication skills and meticulous attention to detail, and organisational skills.

Recommended Finance Manager Jobs

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How to get Finance Manager Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Finance Manager job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Finance Manager application. If you have not held a Finance Manager position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Finance Manager role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Finance Manager CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Finance Manager application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Finance Manager in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Finance Manager 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Finance Manager and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Finance Manager experience.

How to get Finance Manager Experience

What does it take to be a Finance Manager? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Finance Manager jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Finance Manager through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Finance Manager Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Finance Manager part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Finance Manager or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Finance Manager freelance work

If you have impressive Finance Manager qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.