For finance manager jobs and non-financial skills required by a finance manager at least a degree of bachelor and a combination of work experience is essential. Additional career scopes may be attained through voluntary certification. According to BLS or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the needed qualifications and other requirements are as follows:
 Job Requirements
The minimum education needed for finance managers is a degree in any stream like accounting, business administration or finance. Other qualifications could be considered if they include finance, management or business. In respect of undergraduate finance studies, students are expected to know about portfolio assessment, financial planning and securities. Business administration and accounting programs often include similar subjects including microeconomics and finance principles. In order to attain work experience the student may apply for internship which is a reliable means to obtain the same.
Acquiring a Master’s Degree
Since employers prefer staffs having advanced education, obtaining a master’s degree could help improve the prospects of job and scope for career development. A master’s degree in finance, economics or business administration is suitable for the purpose. Some of the common courses available in these types of programs include financial modeling, global financial markets, financial theory, corporate financial management and financial research.
Gaining Work Experience
As per the BLS, suitable references and work experience are essential for aspiring finance managers. Characteristically, these professionals start their careers in suitable positions, like financial analysis or accounting. Finance managers are top positions in majority of the organizations and usually go to candidates being promoted from inside. Organizations which hire finance managers from outside generally look for candidates having adequate experience in a similar type of role. Any work experience with respect to business management or finance could be useful.
Getting Professional Certification
Voluntary certification might prove to be a top level of proficiency and competency. Various types of professional certifications can be obtained such as CFA or the Chartered Financial Analyst designation provided by the institute of CFA. Holders of bachelor’s degree with adequate work experiences are eligible to appear in three exams which lead to the credential of CFA.
Other Necessities for Getting a Finance Manager Job
For making a successful career in financial job along with educational qualification and work experience, non-financial skills are also very important factor. Though this job mainly relates to financial matters, the necessity to possess additional expertise also counts very much in any job or industry. With the advancement in any job, soft skills become even more significant. Therefore, an aspiring candidate should also focus on his or her soft skills along with technical skill so as to achieve the long term career goal.
Skills for Communication
There is certainly a need for number crunching abilities, however, an important part of a financial aspect is also to communicate results, ideas etc to the third parties, clients, senior management and co-workers effectively. Majority of communication is done through memos or email nowadays. So, quality reproduction is essential because poorly thought out, illiterate, rambling or writing produces a bad notion. Improving skills for communication is of vital importance so as to create a good impression in the mind of your superiors as well as the outsiders.
 How to Develop Non-financial Skills?
If you know beforehand where you would be working then you should focus on industry specific courses. Whether you are involved with a finance, marketing, accounting or human resource job, it is more likely that you would keep yourself involved indirectly or directly with a top organization. Knowing something regarding the industry would help you attain main technical training. Complementary skills can be developed through extracurricular activities. Debating clubs, toastmasters, the school newspaper are simply some means to improve communication skills.
Volunteering at seniors’ community or at a crisis centre might develop expertise in relationship-management. Remaining attached with a service organization such as rotary would help improve prospects for getting work experience on projects and the related organizational, budgeting skills and professionalism. You should remain engage in activities which improve your stamina to work within a tough condition. The more you advance in your career; you would be able to realize that there is great significance of soft skills and ability to communicate besides the technical aspects. All these are important aspects for becoming a successful finance manager.