Careers in Financial Management.Parts 3

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Job growth for financial managers will be directly related to the economy as a whole. Overall, the next decade will see continued job growth for financial managers, because the need for financial expertise will grow as the economy expands. This growth will come from the creation of new businesses as well as from the expansion of established ones. Growth for financial managers does face several obstacles. Mergers, acquisitions, and short term economic downturns reduce employment in this occupation because companies are likely to close departments, downsize, or even go out of business—diminishing the need for financial managers.

Despite continued, albeit slower, consolidations by the banking industry (which employs over 10 percent of all financial managers), there will be a continued need for bank branch managers. In fact, as they refocus on existing branches and create new branches to serve a growing population, banks are expected to employ an increasing number of branch managers. Moreover, banks that extend their products and services to include insurance and investment products will need branch managers who are familiar with these areas. In consequence, candidates authorized to sell insurance or securities will be more appealing to employers.

The present slump in the securities and commodities industry should not damage long-term prospects for financial managers in that industry because more managers will be needed to handle progressively more complex financial transactions and manage an increasing number of investments. Specifically, firms will need financial managers to raise capital, conduct mergers and acquisitions, and assess global financial transactions. Risk managers, who gauge risks for insurance and investment purposes, will also be needed in the industry.

In some cases, financial managers may be hired temporarily, to steer a firm through a short-term crisis or to suggest ways to increase profits. Even in organizations where all accounting and financial operations are contracted out, financial managers may be necessary to oversee the contracts.
Computer technology will have significant implications for financial managers. Because computers can generate financial reports in less time and with fewer people than in the past, the next decade will see some changes in the ways financial managers perform. For example, corporations will need financial managers to forecast earnings, profits, and costs, and to think of original ways to improve profits.

Historic Earnings Information for Financial Management Professionals

In 2002, financial managers had median annual earnings of $73,340. The range of earnings for the middle 50 percent was from $52,490 to $100,660. The earnings of the lowest 10 percent were under $39,120, while the earnings of the highest 10 percent exceeded $142,260. In 2002, financial managers in the industries employing the most of these managers reported the following median annual earnings:

• Securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage – $125,220
• Management of companies and enterprises – $88,310
• Nondepository credit intermediation – $78,400
• Local government – $63,090
• Depository credit intermediation – $58,790

A 2002 survey, performed by Robert Half International, a staffing services firm specializing in accounting and finance professionals, showed that directors of finance were paid from $75,000 to $204,500, and corporate controllers were paid from $54,000 to $138,750.

The Association for Financial Professionals’ 14th annual compensation survey found that financial officers’ average total compensation in 2002, including bonuses and deferred compensation, was $130,900. Average total compensation for selected financial manager positions was as follows:

• Vice president of finance – $183,500
• Treasurer – $150,600
• Assistant vice president-finance – $141,300
• Controller/comptroller – $134,300
• Director – $113,600
• Assistant treasurer – $111,900
• Assistant controller/comptroller – $115,500
• Manager – $84,500
• Cash manager – $64,700

Salary varies by industry, location, and size of an organization (financial managers in large organizations generally earn more than those in small ones). Earnings are not strictly limited to salary: deferred compensation in the form of stock options is gaining popularity, particularly for senior level executives, and many financial managers in both public and private industry receive bonuses, which vary considerably by an organization’s size.

 

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