What Does a Finance Professional Do?
01/14/2026
Finance has the potential to influence1 many of the decisions an organization makes, from planning long-term projects to managing routine expenses. If you’re exploring this field, it can be helpful to understand what the work looks like on a practical level.
Finance professionals typically spend time2 examining information, organizing data, and helping teams understand the financial implications of their choices. Their responsibilities may vary by role, but they generally2 focus on interpreting financial activity, preparing reports, and supporting informed decision-making within a company or public agency.
Explore three common roles, financial analyst, budget manager, and financial manager, and the types of tasks these professionals typically handle in their day-to-day work. Learn how these positions may contribute to organizational planning, offering a clear picture of what the profession involves in real-world settings.
Career descriptions are general and may vary by organization.
What Financial Analysts Do as Finance Professionals
Financial analysts typically2 examine financial and economic information to understand organizational performance, investment opportunities, or market trends.
Their responsibilities can vary depending on the organization, but typical activities may include:2
Reviewing financial statements and reports to assess company or departmental performance
Analyzing market conditions, economic indicators, or competitor information
Creating financial models that simulate possible outcomes for investments or operations
Preparing reports or presentations to communicate findings to managers or other stakeholders
When it comes to important qualities, financial analysts may employ these skills:3
Analytical abilities: Financial analysts examine financial statements, market data, and economic trends to interpret complex information and identify patterns or potential concerns.
Communication skills: The role often involves explaining findings or recommendations to colleagues or clients in a clear, understandable way.
Computer proficiency: Analysts frequently use software tools and spreadsheets to build models, review historical data, and create forecasts.
Decision-making: When evaluating a security or investment option, analysts use available information to reach conclusions about whether it may be appropriate to buy, hold, or sell.
Attention to detail: Small discrepancies or overlooked data points can influence an analysis, so careful review of information is an important part of the work.
Math-related skills: Mathematics is commonly used to estimate values, assess risk, and compare financial performance across different investments.
Financial analysts may work4 in financial institutions, professional, scientific and technical services, credit intermediation, management of companies or insurance carriers. Budget Manager
Understanding the Role of Budget Managers in Finance
Budget managers typically focus5 on planning, monitoring, and managing an organization’s financial resources. Their work may involve tracking expenses, consolidating budgets, and providing information to help management understand how resources are being used.
Common tasks may include:5
Preparing, reviewing, and consolidating budgets for different departments or programs
Monitoring spending to ensure it aligns with approved budgets
Forecasting financial needs based on operational or project plans
Reporting on budget status and presenting analyses to leadership or stakeholders
The role may require common skills6 like attention to detail, organization, and the ability to interpret financial data for others who may not have specialized financial training.
Budget managers typically work in a variety of settings,7 including government agencies, educational institutions, state and local government, professional, scientific and technical services.
How Financial Managers Guide Organizational Strategy
Financial managers typically oversee8 an organization’s financial operations and reporting. They may be responsible for supervising financial processes, coordinating with teams, and providing financial information to support decision-making.
Typical responsibilities may include:8
Preparing financial statements, reports, and forecasts for management or regulatory purposes
Directing investment strategies or reviewing options for allocating financial resources
Supervising accounting or finance teams to ensure accurate and timely reporting
Coordinating with executives or department leaders on financial planning or resource allocation
In this role, communication and coordination are typically important.9 Financial managers may meet with teams to review financial performance, discuss upcoming financial decisions, or provide summaries of organizational financial status for senior leadership. They also interact with external parties, such as auditors, regulators, or financial service providers, depending on the organization’s needs.
Financial managers typically work10 in finance and insurance, professional, scientific and technical services, as management of companies and enterprises, for the government, and in manufacturing. Their work spans daily operational oversight, such as ensuring accurate reporting of expenditures and revenue through longer-term planning activities, such as monitoring cash flow, reviewing investment portfolios, or evaluating financial policies.
Common Daily Tasks in Finance Professional Roles
Although financial analysts, budget managers, and financial managers have distinct responsibilities, there are activities common to all three roles:
Data Collection: They may gather information from internal and external sources, such as financial statements, market reports, or departmental records.
Analysis: They all typically do some form of evaluation of the financial data to identify trends, patterns, or areas requiring attention.
Reporting: They may all prepare written reports, presentations, or dashboards that summarize findings.
Coordination: They may communicate with colleagues, executives, or other departments to clarify information or provide updates.
Use of Tools: They may utilize spreadsheets, financial software, or data analytics platforms to organize, calculate, and visualize financial information.
These activities may be common in many finance roles, though the specific focus differs depending on whether the professional is analyzing investments, monitoring budgets, or overseeing overall financial operations.
Why Finance Professionals Matter in Today’s Workplace
Finance professionals like financial analysts, budget managers, and financial managers typically engage in activities related to the collection, analysis, reporting, and management of financial information.
Their work typically involves:
Examining financial data and trends.
Preparing reports, forecasts, and presentations.
Coordinating with other departments and stakeholders.
Using software and tools to support analysis and reporting.
The focus of these roles is on providing information that supports organizational operations and decision-making. Responsibilities, tools, and daily tasks vary depending on the role and organization, but all typically involve the examination and communication of financial information to inform operational and strategic activities.
Employment environments and job responsibilities vary by employer, region, and individual qualifications. Descriptions of job roles are for informational purposes only and are not intended to suggest that a particular program leads to these positions.
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1NetSuite®, Financial Management Explained, at https://www.netsuite.com/portal/resource/articles/financial-management/financial-management.shtml (accessed Dec. 9, 2025).
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm#tab-2 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
3Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm#tab-4 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
4Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm#tab-3 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
5Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Budget Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm#tab-2 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
6Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Budget Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm#tab-4 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
7Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Budget Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm#tab-3 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
8Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Finance Managers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-2 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
9Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Finance Managers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-4 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
10Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Finance Managers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-3 (accessed Dec. 9, 2025). Employment conditions may vary in your area.
