Financial Manager
Controller Job Description
Financial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They generate financial reports and develop strategies to help meet the long-term financial goals of their organization. Financial managers have the responsibility of overseeing the finances of major companies, agencies and everything in between. Along with their teams, they coordinate accounting and produce financial reports, cash-flow statements and profit projections.
To comply with various laws and regulations, they must pay attention to detail. Aside from working with numbers, financial managers must also help other members of their organization understand their complex reports, which requires significant communication skills.
Financial managers usually start by earning a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics or business administration. Many also earn a master’s degree (in business administration, finance or economics) and continue getting financial management training, both on the job and off. Certifications and licensures are common in the field.
Typical duties of a Controller
• Monitor the day-to-day financial operations within the company (payroll, invoicing, and other transactions)
• Prepare monthly and quarterly management reporting
• Participate in strategic data analysis, research, and modeling for senior company leadership
• Support project analysis, validation of plans, and ad-hoc requests
• Manage the company’s financial accounting, monitoring, and reporting systems
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies and regulatory requirements
Skills:
• Ability to synthesize large quantities of complex data into actionable information
• Ability to work and effectively communicate with senior-level business partners
• Excellent business judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Knowledge of financial reporting and data mining tools such as SQL, Access, etc.
• Strong demonstrated use of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting; CPA a plus