A Finance Manager is an accountant who manages a finance function with responsibility for producing monthly financial reports, analysis, budgeting, payroll, invoicing and credit control. The Finance Manager may also be responsible for managing a team of finance specialists.

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The generic nature of the term Finance Manager means that this role will vary according to the type and size of organisation in which the Finance Manager works. Broadly speaking, a Finance Manager provides specialist financial support and advice to colleagues to facilitate business decisions. In a large company, Finance Managers may manage the function that provides financial support and reporting to the rest of the organisation, reporting directly to a Financial Controller or Director. In a small business, the Finance Manager may be the Finance department and may carry out a very hands-on role.

Some typical duties may include:

• Producing financial and management accounts.
• Reviewing profit and loss, balance sheet and KPIs.
• Providing financial expertise and input.
• Managing a team and developing junior (part-qualified) colleagues.
• Working closely with non-financial managers.
• Close involvement with the budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Reporting and analysing variances to budgets and forecasts.
• Ensuring adherence to statutory rules and regulations.

More senior Finance Managers, or those in larger organisations, may play a more advisory role in company affairs, providing guidance on major strategic issues (for example acquisitions) and working with senior business figures.

Qualifications

Most Finance Managers are fully qualified accountants, although some part-qualified accountants work as Finance Managers. Many of the Finance Manager vacancies on TopFinancialJobs request qualifications from the major accounting bodies, such as the ICAEW, CIMA, and ACCA.

Salary

Salaries vary widely, according to experience and the type and size of employer. Recent salaries advertised on TopFinancialJobs include £23-25,000 per annum for a part-qualified Finance Manager at a theatre company in Hertfordshire, £40-45,000 plus benefits for a Finance Manager working for a manufacturing company in South Yorkshire, £50-55,000 plus benefits for a Commercial Finance Manager working for a ‘global' business based in the West Midlands, and £60-75,000 + benefits for a Senior Commercial Finance Manager working for a ‘prestigious' organisation in the Thames Valley.

Are you a Finance Manager? Would you like to contribute to our "Day in the Life of..." series? Email us at info@topfinancialjobs.co.uk for more details.