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Job Definition
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Job Zone

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Interests
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Knowledge
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Skills
Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Tasks
Perform tax planning work.
Determine depreciation rates to apply to capitalized items, and advise management on actions regarding the purchase, lease, or disposal of such items.
Prepare and file annual tax returns, or prepare financial information so that outside accountants can complete tax returns.
Prepare or direct preparation of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, annual budgets, and/or reports required by regulatory agencies.
Supervise employees performing financial reporting, accounting, billing, collections, payroll, and budgeting duties.
Delegate authority for the receipt, disbursement, banking, protection, and custody of funds, securities, and financial instruments.
Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards.
Conduct or coordinate audits of company accounts and financial transactions to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements and statutes.
Receive and record requests for disbursements; authorize disbursements in accordance with policies and procedures.
Monitor financial activities and details such as reserve levels to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
Monitor and evaluate the performance of accounting and other financial staff; recommend and implement personnel actions such as promotions and dismissals.
Develop and maintain relationships with banking, insurance, and non-organizational accounting personnel in order to facilitate financial activities.
Coordinate and direct the financial planning, budgeting, procurement, or investment activities of all or part of an organization.
Develop internal control policies, guidelines, and procedures for activities such as budget administration, cash and credit management, and accounting.
Analyze the financial details of past, present, and expected operations in order to identify development opportunities and areas where improvement is needed.
Wages

Data not available

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 68,800 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 78,000 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 920 openings due to growth and about 1,000 replacement openings for approximately 1,920 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Finance, General - A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, manage, and analyze the financial and monetary aspects and performance of business enterprises, banking institutions, or other organizations. Includes instruction in principles of accounting; financial instruments; capital planning; funds acquisition; asset and debt management; budgeting; financial analysis; and investments and portfolio management.
Accounting - A program that prepares individuals to practice the profession of accounting and to perform related business functions. Includes instruction in accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, auditing, reporting procedures, statement analysis, planning and consulting, business information systems, accounting research methods, professional standards and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations.
Similar Occupations
Administrative Services Managers - Plan, direct, or coordinate supportive services of an organization, such as recordkeeping, mail distribution, telephone operator/receptionist, and other office support services. May oversee facilities planning and maintenance and custodial operations.
Financial Managers, Branch or Department - Direct and coordinate financial activities of workers in a branch, office, or department of an establishment, such as branch bank, brokerage firm, risk and insurance department, or credit department.
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes - Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes to prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
Accountants - Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.
Auditors - Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Financial Analysts - Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
Financial Examiners - Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify correctness of, or establish authenticity of records.
Notes
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