Because corporate financing decisions can have such a huge impact on a company’s bottom line in the short term and long term, top executives such as CEOs must have at least a basic understanding of this field. However, the primary responsibility for giving decision-makers the data and advice they need to make these choices lies with financial managers, such as chief financial officers (CFOs) and treasurers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial managers earned a median annual salary of $129,890 as of May 2019. Professionals in these high-paying roles typically have at least a bachelor’s degree and 5 years or more of experience in business or finance. Given the importance of this job, many companies preferentially seek out candidates who also have a master’s degree in finance, business administration, or economics.