VP/Director of Finance

Role Summary

The VP or Director of Finance directs financial planning, analysis, and reporting to support strategic growth and profitability. You oversee budgeting, forecasting, and risk management while guiding investment decisions. Your leadership ensures financial integrity and alignment with business goals in a dynamic, complex environment.

Required Education, Certifications, and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
MBA or CPA preferred.

Certifications:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
  • Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
  • Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
  • Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
  • Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)

Experience:

10 plus years in financial leadership.
 Experience managing complex budgets and forecasts.
 Proven track record of financial strategy execution.

Core Skills

  • Financial planning
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Risk management
  • Cash flow management
  • Team leadership
  • Regulatory compliance
  • ERP proficiency
  • Strategic analysis

A Hypothetical Day in the Life of a VP/Director of Finance

7:00 AM- You start your day reviewing overnight cash flow reports, bank statements, and market updates. A recent regulatory change may impact the company’s tax planning strategies, so you immediately task your tax team to evaluate the potential implications and prepare a briefing for executive leadership by week’s end.

8:00 AM- You lead a finance leadership team meeting. The agenda focuses on the progress of quarterly budget goals, emerging challenges with cost overruns, and strategies for preserving cash flow. You emphasize the importance of transparency and early identification of issues to avoid surprises during the next board meeting.

9:30 AM-You convene with the investment committee to review capital allocation proposals. You probe each proposal’s return on investment, risk profile, and alignment with the company’s long-term strategic objectives. Your goal is to ensure disciplined and data-driven decision making while balancing growth opportunities with financial prudence.

11:00 AM- You analyze monthly financial forecasts and variance reports. Deviations from budget targets are flagged, particularly in supply chain expenses. You prepare to meet with business unit leaders to discuss corrective actions and tighter cost controls. Precision here is key to maintaining overall financial health.

12:30 PM- Lunch is a working meal with the CFO. The conversation revolves around the upcoming board presentations. You collaborate on key financial messaging that highlights the company’s health and outlines growth initiatives while addressing potential risks candidly. This alignment is critical for executive cohesion.

2:00 PM- You conduct one-on-one coaching sessions with your direct finance reports. The focus is on skill development, improving financial modeling capabilities, and strengthening their ability to communicate complex financial data clearly to non-financial stakeholders. Talent development is essential to your leadership style.

3:30 PM- You review scenario analyses related to upcoming debt refinancing options. Your preparation includes summarizing the pros and cons of different structures and interest rates, preparing to support executive decision making with clear, concise financial implications and risk assessments. 

5:00 PM- You verify that all regulatory filings and compliance reports are on track. You work closely with the legal and audit teams to proactively address any issues, ensuring the company meets all external financial and legal obligations without delay or penalties.

6:30 PM-You conclude your day by reviewing emails, delegating outstanding tasks, and setting priorities for tomorrow. Balancing the daily operational demands with strategic financial initiatives remains your constant focus, maintaining the company’s financial stewardship and long-term success.