WHAT MAKES A

GOOD FINANCE
MANAGER?

A Finance Manager is perhaps one of the most

generic finance roles – what makes them stand
out in the role that they do?
GOOD ROLE MODEL

The Finance Manager needs to inspire confidence

and respect, and exemplify high standards of
conduct.

Demonstrate enthusiastic, positive, robust,

determined and resilient leadership.

Clear and concise communication needs to be

maintained with a wide range of audiences both
internal and external.

A customer focussed culture should be developed

within the finance function with the customers,
be they internal or external, having their
requirements met in a timely manner.
ACCESSIBLE

The Finance Manager needs to operate an open

door policy.

Take the time needed to connect with the finance

team and ensure that they are comfortable and
successful in their roles. If financial planning or
modelling is part of their role then ensure that
the finance team have the headroom and
resources available.

If approached with a concern be able to gain

insight into the colleagues thought processes and
potentially nip problems in the bud.

The Finance Manager should make themselves

available through weekly team meetings and
other opportunities where the situation allows.
CELEBRATE SUCCESS
When the team hit a milestone or complete a
project it is important to celebrate these moments
as a team.

Celebrating success helps build a sense of

camaraderie and enables the finance department
to grow as a team.

Success should be celebrated in any way possible.

If there is no time for lunch or anything bigger at
least put together a thoughtful and carefully
worded thank you email to all team members to
recognise and acknowledge what has been
accomplished and that their hard work has not
gone unnoticed.
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
The Finance Manager should use a collaborative
approach to problem solving. A team is made up
of people with different skills and areas of
expertise such as financial modelling, analysis or
creating insights and it is the Finance Manager’s
job to utilise the different skill sets in the team to
ensure that they are an efficient and value adding
function.

Seek feedback and offer good information at

critical junctures to help the team make sound
strategic decisions.

An inclusive approach engenders trust within the

team and often results in more innovative
solutions.
HONEST WITH HIGH INTEGRITY

Key to this is open communication and being

honest.

Integrity means doing the right thing because it’s

the right thing to do.

Leaders with integrity aren’t afraid of the truth –

it means telling the truth even if it is an ugly
truth.

It is better to be open and honest than deluding

others.
OVER TO YOU…

These points highlight what in my view moves an

individual from a bog standard Finance Manager,
assuming all basic tasks and accountabilities are
achieved, to someone who would be perceived as
much more than just competent at the role.

What should a Finance Manager be doing to fit

into your view of what good looks like?

Robin Kiziak
July 2019