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How to Become A Finance Manager

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What is a Finance Manager

A Finance Manager is in charge of all financial and accounting activities in an organisation. They plan budgets, manage cash flow, and help the business stay on track financially. If you love numbers and want to shape how a company grows, this role could be for you.

Finance Managers use data to guide big decisions. They prepare reports for senior leaders, spot financial risks, and come up with strategies to improve performance. No two days are the same, with tasks ranging from reviewing budgets to presenting to the board.

You will often lead a team of accountants and analysts. Great Finance Managers are both analytical and good with people. They explain complex financial information in ways that non-finance teams can actually use.

There are around 78,200 Finance Managers working in Australia (Your Career, 2025). The role is in Strong demand and pays well, with average salaries around $140,000 per year. It is a great career for people who want real impact and clear progression.

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Career Outlook for Finance Manager

Finance Manager is a well-set career in Australia with a large workforce and a bright outlook. Around 78,200 people work in this role across the country (Your Career, 2025). Future demand is rated Strong. Financial rules are growing more complex, and skilled Finance Managers are needed in every sector.

Most Finance Managers work full-time, with 88% in full-time roles (Your Career, 2025). The median age is 46, which shows how much experience this role needs. Women make up 47% of all Finance Managers, a share that keeps rising.

Average pay runs around $140,000 per year (SEEK, 2025), with senior Finance Managers earning $175,000 or more. If you want a career that pays well and gives you real influence, Finance Manager is a strong choice.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to become a Finance Manager

Finance Managers manage all financial work in an organisation. They plan budgets, run cash flow, and help guide key financial decisions. Here is how to get there.

Step 1: Complete a bachelor degree in finance or accounting

Enrol in a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Business, majoring in Finance or Accounting. These degrees take three years full-time at a university. If you prefer the TAFE path, the Advanced Diploma of Accounting (FNS60222) takes around two years full-time. Either path gives you a strong base in financial knowledge.

Step 2: Build experience in entry-level finance roles

Start in a graduate or entry-level role such as Accountant, Financial Analyst, or Management Accountant. Most Finance Managers spend at least three to five years in these roles before moving into management. You will learn financial systems, reporting cycles, and business processes that you will later manage as a senior.

Step 3: Earn a CPA or CA qualification

Complete either the CPA Program (CPA Australia) or the CA Program (Chartered Accountants ANZ). Both need a degree and relevant work experience. The CPA Program takes two to three years part-time. The CA Program takes around three years. These are expected for most senior Finance Manager roles.

Step 4: Move into management and leadership roles

Step up into roles such as Finance Team Leader, Assistant Finance Manager, or Financial Controller. Build skills managing a team, checking compliance, and presenting results to senior leaders. Most employers want at least two years of leadership experience before they appoint a Finance Manager.

Step 5: Keep growing through professional development

Stay up to date through CPA Australia or CAANZ ongoing professional development (CPD). You may also consider a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Finance. Both build your strategic and leadership skills. Both are offered part-time and online at Australian universities, taking around two years.

What does a Finance Manager do?

Finance Managers keep an organisation’s finances running smoothly. Each day they analyse reports, track budgets, manage cash flow, and look for ways to improve financial performance. They work closely with department heads to check spending, and report findings to senior leaders and the board. They also lead a finance team, making sure everyone meets compliance standards and hits deadlines. It is a busy, varied role that mixes deep financial analysis with clear people management.

Tasks

Finance Managers handle a wide range of tasks, from analysing data to leading their team. Understanding what Finance Managers do each day gives you a clear picture of this rewarding career.

  • Financial Planning – Developing financial strategies and annual plans to meet business goals.
  • Budget Management – Setting and tracking budgets to make sure resources are used well.
  • Financial Reporting – Producing reports that show how the organisation is performing financially.
  • Cash Flow Management – Keeping track of money coming in and going out to meet obligations.
  • Risk Management – Spotting financial risks early and putting strategies in place to reduce them.
  • Team Leadership – Guiding and developing finance team members to reach their best.
  • Compliance Oversight – Ensuring the organisation follows all financial laws and regulations.
  • Investment Analysis – Checking investment options to help the organisation grow and stay profitable.
  • Stakeholder Communication – Sharing financial insights with managers and board members clearly and confidently.

Skills for Success

To succeed as a Finance Manager, you will need both hard skills and soft skills. On the technical side, you need to understand budgeting, financial reporting, and risk management. You should be comfortable with financial software and able to read and interpret complex data quickly.

People skills matter a lot in this role. Finance Managers explain financial results to non-finance staff and present to senior leadership. Good communication, clear thinking, and the ability to lead a team are just as important as knowing your numbers. A CPA or CA qualification signals to employers that you have the technical depth they need.

Skills & Attributes

  • Strong analytical and numerical skills
  • Financial reporting and budgeting
  • Cash flow and treasury management
  • Risk identification and mitigation
  • Leadership and team management
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Proficiency in financial software (SAP, Oracle, MYOB, Xero)
  • Knowledge of Australian accounting standards (AASB)
  • Strategic planning and forecasting
  • Compliance with regulatory requirements
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Stakeholder engagement and presentation skills
  • Attention to detail

Average Salaries

Finance Managers in Australia earn an average of around $140,000 per year (SEEK, 2025). Pay ranges from about $100,000 at entry level to $175,000 or more for senior roles (Robert Walters, 2026). Pay tends to be higher in Financial Services, Mining, and Public Administration. Experience, CPA or CA status, and the size of the employer all affect final take-home pay.

min $100 K

max $175 K

av $140 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.