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Finance officers oversee their organization’s financial resources to achieve the year’s revenue and budget goals. They have a deep knowledge of various accounting and tax regulations, as it is their responsibility to make sure the organization is 100 percent compliant. Finance officers find employment in a variety of settings: in large corporations, they assist the chief financial officer in making strategy decisions; in government agencies, schools, and hospitals, they make sure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently. Finance officers work in an office environment and maintain regular office hours, although there may be deadlines for certain financial documents that coincide with overtime hours.

Answering to the chief financial officer, finance officers have authority over entry-level employees in the finance department, such as financial analysts. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for financial managers, which includes finance officers, is set to grow a staggering 19 percent through 2026, making it one of the fastest growing occupations.

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Finance Officer Duties and Responsibilities

Directing the use of a company’s financial resources and ensuring compliance with financial regulations involve many different duties and responsibilities. We analyzed finance officer job descriptions to put together the following list of the most relevant finance officer duties and responsibilities:

Participate in Budget Strategy Meetings

Finance officers participate in regular budget and growth strategy meetings with other types of financial managers, as well as the chief financial officer. These meetings often determine which tasks are prioritized on a daily basis.

Analyze Investment Opportunities

Many corporations have investments in stocks and bonds as a part of their revenue growth strategy. It is the responsibility of the finance officer to make sure the company's investment capital is spent to best maximize profit.

Generate Revenue Growth Ideas

One of the primary responsibilities of the finance officer is to figure out ways to make the company more money. This requires a deep understanding of the company's offerings, their unique value proposition, and current market trends.

Oversee Merger and Acquisition Proceedings

Finance officers oversee all merger and acquisition proceedings under the direction of the chief financial officer. This includes constantly prospecting for merger and acquisition opportunities, building rapport with decision makers, presenting the idea of a merger or acquisition, and then negotiating the terms.

Ensure Compliance with all Financial Regulations

Finance officers are experts in all of the regulations set forth by the United States Treasury Department; they use this expertise to make sure their employer avoids the steep fines associated with non-compliance.

Finance Officer Skills

Finance officers rely on specialized knowledge to do their job; they have to be experts in the special tax and financial regulations of their industry of employment, have an expert level of financial acumen. A cool and calm demeanor helps in this high-pressure position. Other traits hiring managers seek when they look at candidates for finance officer positions include:

  • Enforcing compliance with all financial regulations
  • Having a strategic mind and keen awareness of the company's budget to create concepts and strategies for revenue growth
  • Collaborating with other financial managers and the chief financial officer on budget strategy decisions
  • Analyzing company financial performance and preparing data visualizations to accompany strategy suggestions
  • Negotiating with the finance officers of other companies to facilitate mergers and acquisitions

Finance Officer Tools of the Trade

Microsoft Office – used to create budget spreadsheets and other financial analysis documents

Proprietary financial software – some financial companies have their own FinTech software.

Finance Officer Education and Training

Employers of finance officers require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or a related field. Coursework covers the principles of accounting, economics, business organization, and financial technology. Some employers prefer candidates with an MBA and a concentration in finance.

Finance Officer Salary

According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for finance officers is $61,874. Those at the top of the scale make $100,000, while those at the bottom of the scale make $50,000.

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Finance Officer Resources

Do you have an interest in the financial industry and want to find employment as a finance officer? If so, check out the list of resources below.

Association for Financial Professionals

The Association for Financial Professionals is one of the mosttrusted professional organizations for financial professionals. It hosts a conference each year that is one of the best in the corporate finance world. It also administers some professional credentials, the Certified Treasury Professional being the most relevant for finance officers.

Government Finance Officers Association

This is a professional organization strictly for finance officers who work for the government. It hosts an annual conference and offers digital resources for members.

The Economist

The print edition of The Economist was founded in 1843, and it has since established itself as an authority in economics, business, and finance. Its website is updated regularly and includes exclusive content that is published in between print editions. Many finance officers subscribe to the print edition.

Corporate Finance for Dummies

This book covers the basics of budget forecasting, calculating cash flow, and scenario analysis in a tone that is easy to digest for those just learning the world of corporate finance.

Value: The Four Cornerstones of Corporate Finance

This book is great for exploring the theoretical and emotional side of succeeding in corporate finance. It focuses on the principles of value creation without getting too wrapped up in talking numbers.

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