Employers

Financial managers are employed by large mutual fund complexes, mutual fund supermarkets, securities broker-dealers, independent fund advisers, fund administrators, robo advisory firms, and smaller fund companies. They also work for public accounting firms (such as Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and KPMG) that provide accounting services to mutual fund companies. Outside the mutual fund industry, they work for nonprofits, businesses of all sizes, and government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Government Accountability Office. 

Starting Out

The career of financial manager is not an entry-level position. Most CFOs, controllers, and fund administrators break into the field as accountants and auditors, working at firms that provide services to mutual fund companies, government regulating bodies, or the accounting/internal auditing departments of corporations.

To learn about accounting and auditing job openings, you should contact potential employers directly (most offer job listings at their Web sites), utilize the resources of your school’s career services office, network on LinkedIn and at career fairs, contact recruiters, and visit employment sites such as http://www.efinancialcareers.com. The Career Guidance section (https://www.aicpa.org/career) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Web site is also a good resource for aspiring accountants. 

Talented and experienced accountants and auditors can advance to become chief accountants or chief auditors, who manage teams of accounting and auditing professionals. These professionals can be promoted to the positions of controller or fund administrator, and then to the top financial position of chief financial officer.

Visit the following Web sites for job listings and career advice:

• http://www.accountingjobstoday.com
• http://www.accountingcrossing.com
• https://www.efinancialcareers.com
• https://jobs.imanet.org
• https://www.goingconcern.com

Attend industry events such as the National Association of Corporate Treasurers’ National Treasurers Conference and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ CFO Conference to network and to interview for jobs.

Read publications such as CFO (https://www.cfo.com) and Financial Executive (https://www.financialexecutives.org) to learn more about the field.

Get certified. It will give you the edge over other applicants.