How to Become a Finance Director

The finance department is one of the most important departments in any type of organization. This department has to handle financial transactions of the firm and plan on investments and raising of funds for funding ongoing projects. As no project can be completed without money, the job of a finance director assumes further importance. Finance directors work in the areas like resource management, strategic planning, preparation of a financial budget for the financial year, supervising company's financial performance and preparing financial reports for outside agencies like creditors and shareholders. Ensuring that the firm's asset quality is high and debt levels are comfortable, are also some of the responsibilities of a finance director. Being the leading person in the department of finance, the finance director has to form teams, assign work and help in planning as and when they need. In short, the ultimate aim of the finance director is to make sure that the firm achieves its financial goals or objectives in a planned way.

Becoming a Finance Director

Here are the steps on how to become a finance director.

High School Preparation
Though becoming a finance director is a distant dream for someone who wishes to become a finance director, sincere efforts taken during this stage of one's educational career pays off greatly. So, take special effort on subjects like economics, finance, mathematics, English and computer science while you are in high school. Get excellent grades so that you are not denied admission to top business schools to get deeper knowledge of finance.

Get Your Graduation Degree
Getting a graduation degree in accounting or finance is essential to become a finance director. If you look at the track record of the Chief Financial Officers (CFO's) of top companies, you will find that all of them have passed from top business schools. So, you need to try to do your MBA in accounting or finance from the top business schools in the US. As a student of finance, you should have ability in the following areas:

• Financial management
• Managerial economics
• Management accounting
• Costing and budgeting
• Preparation and analysis of financial statements
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Fundraising through different routes

During the course of your study, you will be taught these subjects by expert faculties, hard work and passion for knowledge can lay a strong foundation for a successful career in finance.

Intern at a Major Finance Firm
During the business management course, students have to do their summer internships in financial and banking giants. Here, they get practical work experience and can apply their classroom knowledge. You will need to have good educational record to get internship at top firms in investment banking and asset management. A successful internship can help you get final placement in a top firm after you compete your course.

Become Auditor/Accountant/Finance Associate
After you complete your university education, you need to work as an auditor/accountant (junior level) initially for a few years. Then, with proven ability, you can become senior accountant or senior business analyst. Remember that these are the stepping-stones for becoming a finance director.

Become Assistant Finance Controller
Becoming assistant financial controller/assistant manager would be your next target after gaining experience in accountancy and auditing. By working at a managerial position, you will be able to sharpen your business skills and prepare yourself for future challenges. It would take around five years to become assistant finance controller.

Enter the Senior Management
For becoming a finance director, you first need to enter the senior management of the company. This is possible after gaining around ten years of experience in the field of finance. As a senior management professional, you will be involved in strategic planning, decision-making, chalking out expansion plans and fundraising. After spending some five to ten yeas in senior management position, you can turn your dream of becoming a finance director into reality.

The finance director salary can be between $120,000 to $300,000 or even more. By following the above steps on how to become a finance director and taking keen efforts, you will be able to secure your career in the future. Good luck and work hard!