Financial Director

There are many reasons why you should become a financial director. The first and most obvious reason is that it's a great career choice. Financial directors earn good money and have interesting work. They also have the chance to make a real difference to the companies they work for – and often, to their fellow employees.

What is a Financial Director?

The financial director is the chief financial officer (CFO) of a company and is responsible for managing a firm's finances. The financial director oversees the entire financial operations, including budgeting and forecasting, accounting, taxation and capital management. Additionally, they serve as a liaison between investors and management.

As a member of the board of directors, the financial director provides input into strategic decisions such as acquisitions or divestitures and monetary policies affecting various departments within an organisation. They also advise senior management on business planning, risk management, and corporate finance strategy.

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Financial Director Job Description

Financial Director Job Overview

The financial director is responsible for overseeing an organisation's finances, from annual budgets and monthly reports to long-term strategic planning. They are also responsible for ensuring that spending is within legal parameters and that employees adhere to company policy.

Financial directors usually work in larger businesses, such as corporations and government departments, rather than small businesses.

Responsibilities of a Financial Director

The duties of a financial director vary depending on the size of their employer but generally include:

Scheduling monthly budget meetings with managers and reviewing forecasts prepared by department heads and cost centres to ensure they match expectations
Creating an annual business plan which outlines expected sales growth and profitability over the coming 12 months, including any changes in staffing levels required to meet these goals
Managing budgets and payroll
Monitoring cash flow and ensuring that adequate funds are available for day-to-day operations
Determining how much capital is needed for future growth
Making projections about future cash flows
Implementing strategies that will help achieve these goals
Providing advice on financial matters
Preparing reports on staff productivity and profitability

Financial Director Skills & Qualifications

To become a financial director, you must have a degree in accounting or finance. You may also have experience working in finance and accounting, or at least have some knowledge of these fields. If you don't have any experience, you could train as an accountancy assistant before applying for this role. Other companies may require you to have at least ten years of experience in similar positions or have an MBA from a top school.

The Financial Director has a wide range of skills and qualifications required to carry out their role effectively. These include:

Commercial acumen - an understanding of how businesses operate in their industry sector, including competitor analysis and market trends;
Management skills - ability to lead by example and motivate others;
Financial expertise - knowledge of economic systems as well as accounting principles and practices;
Communication skills - ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing across all levels of staff;
Strong analytical skills.

Becoming an FD can be the start of a rewarding career. It's a role which requires you to use your knowledge, experience and expertise to help an organisation achieve its goals. That means that you'll have plenty of opportunities to make decisions and influence the way things are done. It also means that you'll get plenty of praise when things go well – but when there's a problem, you'll also be expected to take responsibility for solving it.

Search jobs similar to this role and find your dream job! Happy hunting.

Financial Director Jobs currently open:

Financial Director
Location: Durban
Salary:
3 days ago

Commercial Finance Director
Location: La Lucia
Salary:
3 days ago

Chief Financial Officer
Location: Bloemfontein
Salary:
4 days ago

Chief Financial Officer
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: Annually
A leading player in its sector is on the hunt for a dynamic and experienced Chief financial Officer (CFO) to lead its finance function and support long-term business strategy.
5 days ago

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) / Finance Director (FD) Milling
Location: Johannesburg
Salary:
6 days ago

CFO
Location: Johannesburg
Salary:
#SHIFTINTOHIGHCAREER by joining an Automotive OEM that seeks the expertise of a Chief financial Officer
7 days ago

Assistant Financial Manager (Second-in-Charge) to the CFO
Location: Port Elizabeth
Salary:
Purpose of the PositionWe’re seeking a hands-on, detail-driven Assistant Finance Manager to act as the CFO’s right hand. This dynamic role spans two operating entities, offering a mix of financial operations, compliance, tax, and reporting responsibilities. Ideal for a solutions-focused candidate ready to contribute to a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business environment.Key OutputsPrepa...
12 days ago

Chief Financial Officer
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: 1500000
An industry-leading construction and manufacturing business, based in Johannesburg West, is looking for a strategic, hands-on and immediately available CFO to join their executive team.
14 days ago

Financial Director
Location: Delmas
Salary:
#SHIFTINTOHIGHCAREER by joining an Agricultural Company that seeks the expertise of a financial director
18 days ago

Financial Director.
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: Negotiable on experience
CA / CFA. An MBA is advantageous. Must have proven experience as a financial director or similar in a complex group structure. Extensive financial management experience including in-depth knowledge of corporate finance and accounting principles, laws, and best practices.
19 days ago