The Strong Interest Inventory® evaluates individuals’ personal and professional strengths and preferences and applies this analysis to help match those individuals with a career in which they will find fulfilling. The Strong Interest Inventory® refers individuals to one of six Career Theme Code Categories, each of which has certain defining characteristics. For example, Financial Managers fall into the Enterprising Theme Code Category because they are highly driven and motivated by success.

Financial Managers direct and coordinate the financial activities of employees in a particular establishment, such as a local branch of a bank, a credit department, or some other financial institution. They conduct many different day-to-day tasks, including planning and managing the general activities of the employees at their location, recruiting and hiring new employees, and overseeing employee training programs. They also maintain the performance of their company, for example by preparing risk reports for management and evaluating budgets and budget proposals. Depending on their organization’s structure, Financial Managers may need to prepare presentations or newsletters for stakeholders, investors, and management.

In general, Financial Managers are also responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with their customers and clients. They are often the first point of contact for potential clients or customers and are responsible for networking with communities to find and attract new business by meeting with key influencers. Their additional client-facing responsibilities may include: examining and approving loan applications, providing financial consulting or advising to potential or current clients, and helping clients navigate insurance negotiations.

Financial Managers utilize many different tools and software programs to complete their tasks, including accounting software (e.g., Intuit QuickBooks), analytical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS), database user interface and query software (e.g., FileMaker Pro), financial analysis software (e.g., ARES Corporation PRISM Project Estimator), and sales and marketing software (e.g., Marketo Marketing Automation), among others. They also use standard word processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail software, such as the programs included in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook). It is important to note that the exact programs used may differ significantly, depending on the industry and company in which a Financial Manager is working.

Most Financial Managers have a background in economics and accounting, administration and management, and mathematics, as well as a foundational knowledge of customer and personal service. They also need to be comfortable communicating in English and should have developed active listening, critical thinking, and reading comprehension skills. Furthermore, they need to be able to understand and express themselves fluently, both verbally and in writing, particularly since communication is such a salient part of their responsibilities. Financial Managers typically hold either a Bachelor’s degree (50%) or a Master’s degree (14%).

The median salary for Financial Managers is $125,080 annually. However, lucrative areas like New York and the tri-state area, the average is over $190,000. On the other extreme, in Idaho, the median annual wage is under $84,000. While there is also variation within each state, this average provides a rough indication of the states in which being a Financial Manager may be more profitable. This high salary may incentivize more people to enter Financial Management. Fortunately, the demand for Financial Managers is also rising nationwide, with an estimated growth rate of over 15%, with growth concentrated in the highly populated states of California, Texas, New York, and Illinois.

Below are some employment trends for Financial Managers:

• Median Salary: $125,080 annually
• Employment: 580,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026): much faster than average (15% or higher)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026): 56,900

[Information retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2016-2026 employment projections]

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Gain access to your best-fit careers, occupational preferences and interests with these career based Strong Interest Inventory® Assessments:

 

Explore our Strong Interest Inventory® Blog Pages:

• Strong Interest Inventory Realistic Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Artistic Theme Explained
• Strong Interest Inventory Investigative Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Social Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Enterprising Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Conventional Theme Explained 

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References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org