What does a Vice President of Finance do?

Finance managers analyze every day financial activities and provide advice and guidance to upper management on future financial plans. They are the root of all major business decisions and their role is crucial to the success of any organization. Finance managers may be employed in many different environments, including both public and private sector organizations. They also operate in a variety of industries, such as banking, finance, healthcare, and insurance.

Typical duties include reviewing financial reports, monitoring accounts, and preparing financial forecasts. Finance managers also investigate ways to improve profitability and analyze markets for business opportunities, such as expansion, mergers, and acquisitions. The position of finance manager usually requires an advanced degree in accounting, business, economics, or finance, as well as several years of experience in a finance role.

What responsibilities are common for Vice President of Finance jobs?
  • 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
What are the typical qualifications for Vice President of Finance jobs?
  • Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting; CPA a plus
  • 5-8 years of experience in accounting and/or financial analysis
  • 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
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.5 ★
Salary Range--
Career Opportunity
3.6 ★
Avg. Experience5-7 years

Vice President of Finance Salaries near Canada

Average Base Pay

$157,553 /yr
Not including cash compensation
See More Insights
Not enough salaries reported to show distribution
See More Insights
Glassdoor Estimated Salary

Vice President of Finance Career Path

Learn how to become a Vice President of Finance, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Vice President of Finance
$157,553/yr
Senior Vice President of Finance
$188,589/yr
Vice President of Finance

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
1%
2 - 4
11%
5 - 7
46%
8+
42%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Vice President of Finance Insights

Read what Vice President of Finance professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Wildpack BeveragesWildpack Beverages
Finance
Nov 9, 2023

“Carrer Growth Opportunity Flexible Fun Challenging in a fun way Great and super smart people work here only.”

Northwestern MutualNorthwestern Mutual
Financial Planning Associate
Nov 9, 2021

“This industry is highly relational and there are good practitioners within the BD who do solid work by their clients.”

EF Education FirstEF Education First
Finance Director
Sept 3, 2022

“Work pace is fast and opportunites for career development is excellent if you are prroared to relocate.”

LGCLGC
Finance Director
Dec 14, 2022

“A growing and successful business which can provide you with interesting and varied career opportunities.”

MejuriMejuri
Finance
Nov 18, 2022

“This is not a surprised based on the other finance reviews but the leadership within the finance department is so toxic and here's why:”

BBOXXBBOXX
Finance Manager
Oct 6, 2022

“I was able to have autonomy over my work and drive forward the projects I felt were important.”

Moog Inc.Moog Inc.
Finance Director
Mar 1, 2023

“Ability to have a challenging and rewarding career & growth while exercising autonomy and balancing work and life.”

AmazonAmazon
Operations Finance Rotational Program
Aug 9, 2022

“Initial training (APPT training) was the first week and we had to work in the fulfillment centers.”

See More

Vice President of Finance Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of finance managers

A finance manager monitors and manages a company's finances. They work extensively with financial software to produce activity reports, financial statements, forecasts, and other information. Utilizing this information, finance managers may collaborate with or direct other employees regarding ways to reduce costs and handle financial decisions.

Becoming a finance manager is a good career step for people who enjoy a fast-paced work environment, mathematical challenges, and following dynamic, ever-changing financial trends. Globalization and risk management are particularly keen areas for growth, creating ample opportunities for those interested in these specializations.

Finance managers typically receive very high salaries, with an average earning of $157,553 a year. Seniority is the primary factor influencing one's pay in this career. Proven success as a financial analyst or accountant can help increase your starting salary as a finance manager.

Being a finance manager can be a hard job if you don't have the proper training or skills, as it's crucial to produce accurate reports, ensure legal compliance, and make shrewd recommendations to prevent major financial difficulties. Working as a finance manager, you must be able to think both analytically and creatively.

Related Careers

Financial Analyst
$72,072
25% skills overlap
Financial Consultant
$72,302
13% skills overlap
Financial Advisor
$59,678
38% skills overlap
Controller
$114,809
25% skills overlap

Vice President of Finance jobs