Business finance Managers
Business Finance Managers oversee critical human resources functions within organizations, specializing in compensation and benefits, general HR management, or training and development. These professionals design and implement policies related to employee compensation, benefits, and professional development while ensuring compliance with federal regulations. They serve as key liaisons between management and staff, handling everything from contract administration to performance evaluations and organizational training programs.
🎬Career Video
🤖AI Resilience Assessment
AI Resilience Score
Score 4/6: growing job demand means AI will assist but humans remain essential
How we calculated this:
50% of tasks can be accelerated by AI
+6% projected (2024-2034)
EPOCH score: 14/25
📋Key Responsibilities
- •Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
- •Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
- •Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
- •Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop competitive compensation plan.
- •Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
- •Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection, and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
- •Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the integration of benefit programs following mergers and acquisitions.
- •Mediate between benefits providers and employees, such as by assisting in handling employees' benefits-related questions or taking suggestions.
💡Inside This Career
Business finance managers spend their days balancing numbers with human dynamics, analyzing financial data to make strategic decisions about an organization's most valuable asset—its workforce. A typical morning might begin with reviewing budget reports and cost analysis spreadsheets, identifying trends in departmental spending or evaluating the return on investment for various programs. They collaborate regularly with department heads, senior executives, and external vendors, moving seamlessly between boardroom presentations and one-on-one meetings with team members who need guidance on complex financial decisions.
The work environment varies considerably throughout the week. Some days are spent in quiet focus, building detailed financial models or conducting market research to benchmark against industry standards. Other days involve facilitating workshops, leading cross-functional project teams, or conducting interviews with employees to gather feedback on program effectiveness. Many professionals in this field find themselves troubleshooting urgent issues—whether that's addressing budget overruns, responding to employee concerns, or adapting quickly when organizational priorities shift unexpectedly.
Technology plays a central role in daily activities, from manipulating large datasets in specialized software to creating compelling visualizations that communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders. These managers often serve as translators, converting analytical insights into actionable recommendations that influence everything from individual employee experiences to company-wide policy changes. The work requires constant learning, as they stay current with regulatory changes, industry best practices, and emerging trends that could impact their organization's financial strategies and competitive position.
📈Career Progression
What does this mean?
This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.
📚Education & Training
Requirements
- •Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
- •Experience: Several years
- •On-the-job Training: Several years
- !License or certification required
Time & Cost
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Find jobs and training programs for business finance managers- Median salary: $135K/year
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💻Technology Skills
⭐Key Abilities
🏷️Also Known As
📑Specializations
This career includes 3 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.
| Specialization | Median Pay | AI Outlook | O*NET Code | Find Jobs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $136,380 | 🟠 | 11-3111.00 | View details | ||
| $136,350 | 🟡 | 11-3121.00 | View details | ||
| $125,040 | 🟡 | 11-3131.00 | View details |
🔗Related Careers
Other careers in business-finance
🔗Data Sources
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