How to Become a Financial Manager
Own the financial health of an organization: direct accounting, investments, reporting, and the strategy behind them. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $166,570 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$166,570/yr
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
74,600
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Financial Strategy
- Reporting
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Helpful certifications
- CPA
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- CTP (Certified Treasury Professional)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Related careers
- Actuary$130,000 median
- Personal Financial Advisor$105,070 median
- Financial Analyst$102,740 median
- Management Consultant$101,860 median
- Financial Examiner$94,160 median
- Budget Analyst$91,640 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Financial Manager make?
The median pay for a Financial Manager is $166,570 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Financial Manager?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Finance, Accounting, Economics, and Business Administration.
Is Financial Manager a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 74,600 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Financial Manager use most?
Common skills for this role are Financial Strategy, Reporting, Leadership, Critical Thinking, and Monitoring.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.