Finance officer
Financial officer, finance clerk, treasurer
Finance officers help to manage the finances of an organisation by keeping track of its income and controlling its spending.
Salary Range: £18,500 to £40,000
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
Some employers may ask for a relevant degree in a subject like:
- finance
- accounting
- business studies
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
You may find it useful to do a college course, which could help you get a trainee job with a financial firm. Courses inlcude:
- Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
- Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
- Level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You can get into this job through an assistant accountant advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
You could start out as a finance assistant or accounts assistant and then work your way into this role after getting experience.
Direct application
If you want to apply directly for jobs you’ll usually need GCSEs, including maths and English.
A levels in maths, business studies or economics may also be useful.
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- business management skills
- maths knowledge
- analytical thinking skills
- financial management skills
- leadership skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- recording financial transactions on computer systems
- producing financial forecasts
- dealing with payroll, invoices, expenses and VAT
- carrying out financial audits
- creating monthly, quarterly and annual budget reports
- presenting report findings to finance managers
Working environment
You could work in an office.
With experience, you could become a senior finance officer or finance manager, or train to become an accountant.