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Useful experience for finance managers includes:

• financial or accounting experience
• management experience.

Finance managers may do some or all of the following:

• oversee cash flow and account management
• assess and manage risks
• prepare budgets and documents such as annual reports
• undertake financial forecasting
• provide financial advice to the organisation
• make decisions on how to invest the organisation's money
• undertake operational reporting and analysis to ensure the organisation achieves financial targets
• monitor and report on financial trends
• supervise the finance team
• ensure policies, procedures and legal requirements are followed correctly.

Shortage of experienced finance managers

Finance managers are in demand due to high demand for their services and a shortage of people with the right skills.

According to the Census, 13,386 finance managers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

A balance of technical and soft skills needed for the future

With automation becoming increasingly common, finance managers need to continue upskilling their technical abilities. This includes keeping up to date with new financial software, faster interpretation of big data, and analysing companies' operational performance.

Due to economic uncertainty and increasing automation, finance managers need to be adaptable to changing environments. This includes having strong leadership, decision-making and communication skills.

Types of employers varied

Finance managers usually work in the head offices of medium to large organisations.

Most finance managers work for:

• government organisations
• private businesses
• finance companies
• accountancy firms.

Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ)

0800 469 422  - www.charteredaccountantsanz.com

CPA Australia

(09) 913 7450 - nz@cpaaustralia.com.au - www.cpaaustralia.com.au

Finance managers may progress to become managing directors or chief executives.

• Managing director/chief executive job information

Finance managers need to be:

• able to lead others
• able to think critically and analytically
• accurate with high attention to detail
• strong communicators
• confident decision-makers.