Financial managers oversee and coordinate the various financial activities and transactions of organizations. Their responsibilities may vary by company or industry, but they may need to prepare income statements, budgets and balance sheets, monitor cash flow and oversee accounting and auditing. Also, they can play an important role in ensuring that a company is complying with regulatory requirements by being familiar with these regulations.

Financial Manager Schools

A four-year degree helps students to develop an aptitude to be successful in the financial management field, including in areas such as math, accounting and numbers and analysis. Furthermore, a master's degree may be preferred by some employers, according to the BLS. Financial management training programs are available across the country, including at:

  • Clemson University: Reporting that its graduates are highly recruited in the east, this Clemson, S.C. university gives students a chance to pursue a bachelor of science in financial management degree, but also to choose between one of four areas of emphasis. The university reports that graduates have gone on to find jobs at Bank of America, SunTrust Bank and TD Bank.
  • University of Colorado Denver: A bachelor's of science in business administration with a concentration in financial management is available at this school, but the program integrates a curriculum that should help students to prepare to work toward Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
  • Northeastern University: Whether you want to take classes on campus at this Boston-based school or prefer the online option, you can work toward a bachelor of science in finance and accounting management on a fast-track pace. Additionally, the program has four different start dates each year.
  • DeVry University: For those interested in advancing their knowledge, the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University offers a master of accounting and financial management (MAFM) degree. This program not only incorporates campus-based and online learning, but also Becker CPA Exam Review curriculum.
  • University of Buffalo: This New York university offers a master of science degree in finance with a financial management track that can be completed in three full-time semesters and concludes with a capstone project. However, admission is available only in the fall.

Financial Management Courses

Financial management schools like these help students to build knowledge in a wide variety of content areas, including financial markets, investments, accounting and more, particularly through the use of case studies. In a bachelor's degree program, students may learn how to:

  • Develop their analytical skills
  • Gain an understanding of financial analysis
  • Go over reports and identify ways to save
  • Prepare forecasts, financial statements and other reports
  • Understand regulatory requirements and ensure they are being met

Internships also may be available while you're completing your degree, which can give you a great work experience before you get to your full-time career. Additionally, completion of a capstone project is required at the master's level. 

Financial Manager Certification and Licensing

Although a bachelor's degree is typically enough to enter the field of financial management, certification and licensing can greatly improve your opportunities, especially in a competitive job market. Certification can be found through the following programs:

  • CFA Institute - Offers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation
  • The Association for Financial Professionals - Offers a Certified Treasury Professional credential

Passing an exam, or multiple exams, is required for both certifications, and related work experience also is required. Licensing is not necessary to enter the financial management field, but some individuals may wish to become or may already be working as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). After a person passes the CPA exam and meets needed education requirements, they can apply for this license through their state board of accountancy. However, the BLS suggests that prior work experience is particularly advantageous to becoming a financial manager.

Resources for Financial Managers

  • Association for Financial Professionals
  • CFA Institute
  • Financial Management Association International
  • Financial Managers Society

Sources:

  1. Becoming a CPA, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, no date. http://nasba.org/education/becomingacpa/
  2. Financial Managers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Jan. 8, 2014. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113031.htmt
  3. Financial Managers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2014. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm
  4. BS in Business Administration Financial Management. http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/business/degrees/bachelor/Pages/financial-management.aspx
  5. Financial Management B.S., Clemson University. http://www.clemson.edu/degrees/financial-management
  6. Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting Management, Northeastern University College of Professional Studies.http://www.cps.neu.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate/bachelors-degrees/bachelors-finance-accounting-management.php
  7. Master Accounting and Financial Management, DeVry University. http://www.keller.edu/graduate-degree-programs/masters-degree-programs/masters-accounting-and-financial-management.html
  8. Financial Management Track. University of Buffalo. https://mgt.buffalo.edu/degree-programs/master-of-science-ms/finance/financial-management.html

Financial Manager Schools Skills

Below are the skills needed to be financial manager schools according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Skill NameImportanceCompetence
Active Listening44
Critical Thinking44
Monitoring44.5
Reading Comprehension44
Speaking44

Financial Manager Schools Abilities

Below are the abilities needed to be financial manager schools according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Ability NameImportanceCompetence
Oral Expression4.124.25
Deductive Reasoning44.38
Oral Comprehension44.5
Problem Sensitivity44
Speech Clarity43.75

Financial Manager Schools Knowledge

Below are the knowledge areas needed to be financial manager schools according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Knowledge AreaImportanceCompetence
Economics and Accounting3.964.48
Administration and Management3.934.62
Mathematics3.624.25
Customer and Personal Service3.64.1
English Language3.314.23

Financial Manager Schools Work activities

Below are the work activities involved in being financial manager schools according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work ActivityImportanceCompetence
Interacting With Computers4.414.74
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.164.98
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates4.074.76
Coaching and Developing Others4.065.01
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships4.035.04

Financial Manager Schools Work styles

Below are the work styles involved in being financial manager schools according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work StyleImportance
Integrity4.73
Dependability4.71
Attention to Detail4.64
Achievement/Effort4.42
Persistence4.42

Metro Areas Sorted by Total Employment for
Financial Manager Schools

Listed below are the 10 largest metro areas based on the total number of people employed in Financial Manager Schools jobs , as of 2019

   
Metro AreaTotal EmploymentAnnual Mean Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim36,120$155,470
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward18,640$182,190
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell14,410$153,540
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land12,700$149,970
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach10,970$140,680
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale9,910$128,220
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue8,790$150,650
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara8,270$177,940
San Diego-Carlsbad7,760$149,290
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn7,650$142,190

Compare Total Employment & Salaries for Financial Managers

Use our handy tool to see what employment and salary numbers look like for two different metro areas

Select State
Select Metro Area 1
Select Metro Area 2
Please select State, Metro Area 1 and Metro Area 2
Select different Metro Areas
Employment
Salary

Total employment and salary for professions similar to financial managers

Source : 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov; O*NET® 24.3 Database, O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, onetonline.org

We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Financial Manager Schools.

Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.