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Director of Finance Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Guide helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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A director of finance, or head of finance, oversees a company’s financial operations. Duties you may want to include in your director of finance job description are developing budgets, managing financial reporting systems and advising company executives on long-term financial planning.

In this article, you can pinpoint the duties, responsibilities and background required for your open director of finance position to better craft your job description.

Director of finance duties and responsibilities

A director of finance oversees an organization’s accounting and financial functions. They guide budgeting processes, create long-term financial plans and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The director of finance also supports executive decision-making, which may help improve a company’s financial stability.

Common duties include:

  • Developing long-term financial plans and forecasts
  • Overseeing budgeting, accounting and financial reporting functions
  • Ensuring compliance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Monitoring capital expenditures, cash flow and investments
  • Evaluating financial risks and determining how to minimize them
  • Preparing financial reports for executives and board members, such as income statements or balance sheets
  • Establishing internal controls to prevent fraud, including access controls for financial information 
  • Implementing new processes and technology to increase efficiency
  • Managing and mentoring employees in the accounting and finance departments

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Director of Finance Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Guide helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a director of finance do?

A director of finance works as an advisor to a company’s executive team and board of directors. They translate financial data into actionable insights, helping executives make informed decisions. In smaller organizations, the director of finance may focus on daily accounting operations.

An effective director of finance can help executives understand the potential impact of hiring new employees or expanding into new markets. For example, a director of finance may analyze cash flow to determine if it’s feasible to open a new branch.

Director of finance skills and qualifications

Strong candidates often demonstrate attention to detail, organization and communication skills, which may be important for success in this role. Analytical ability and leadership skills are also valuable competencies that set top candidates apart.

Skills for your director of finance job description may include:

  • Ability to develop, manage and analyze budgets
  • Proficiency in creating long-term financial forecasts
  • Knowledge of relevant tax and financial reporting regulations
  • Skill in building relationships with executives and department heads
  • Experience with NetSuite, SAP and other reporting tools

Director of finance experience requirements

If your company prioritizes a skills-first approach, you may prioritize candidates with strong communication, attention to detail and budgeting skills. Candidates can bring these transferable skills from other positions, such as a financial controller or staff accountant.

Director of finance education and training requirements

Directors of finance typically hold bachelor’s degrees in accounting, finance or related fields. However, candidates succeed in the role if they have related skills, such as developing budgets or preparing financial statements.

Candidates can typically learn how to use accounting software on the job or through free online courses. Others may have a voluntary Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Director of finance salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a director of finance is $119,870 per year. The salary may vary according to location, candidate experience and employer size.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this director of finance job description doesn’t align with your needs, check out these sample job descriptions for similar positions:

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Director of finance job description FAQs

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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