How Do I Become a Financial Reporting Manager?

A financial reporting manager is a professional who is responsible for organizing and reviewing financial statements related to an organization's regular operations. A professional in this field might be responsible for Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, preparing paperwork for audits, and conducting communications between accounting and the managerial or executive level. Individuals who become financial reporting managers often have years of experience as accountants and are able to make big picture decisions regarding financial strategy. To become a financial reporting manager, it can be helpful to earn a degree or certification in accounting and to gain valuable experience working in fast-paced environments.

An individual who would like to become a financial reporting manager normally begins by earning a degree in accounting. In many locations, professionals need certification to practice as public accountants. When this is the case, an aspiring reporting manager should take the necessary training and earn satisfactory scores on proficiency exams.

During your accountancy degree program, make sure that you gain a strong understanding of SEC regulations and compliance. It also can be helpful to become comfortable with complex financial software. Many college students find that internships with accounting firms enable them to learn about practices and tools from a valuable firsthand perspective.

An internship also can be a great opportunity for networking with established financial professionals. These individuals can write you reference letters in the future. In some cases, individuals are hired after graduation at firms where they performed internships.

To become a financial reporting manager, it is important that you become comfortable making large, executive decisions. Reporting managers often meet with executives to present and interpret financial data. Professionals in this field often are asked for their advice regarding factors such as investments and sales strategies.

Many accounting experts believe that to become a financial reporting manager, an individual should be able to function in high-stress work environments. Much data that a reporting manager gathers and analyzes is complex. Solutions to problems often may seem unclear and require a strong understanding of financial principles and theory.

Once you have worked several years as an accountant, you can update your resume to include your experience. Trade publications and recommendations from colleagues are great tools for finding out about financial reporting manager job postings. Along with your resume, attach a cover letter that explains how you heard about a job opening and why you are good candidate for a position.