A Finance Director plays a pivotal role in any organisation, overseeing financial activities and ensuring the company's fiscal health aligns with strategic goals.
This role is central in driving both day-to-day financial management and long-term business success.
If you're defining the role of a Finance Director in your organisation or looking for clarity on the competencies and duties involved, this detailed Finance Director job description provides essential insights.
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A Finance Director acts as the crucial link between executive management and the broader finance team, responsible for managing financial reporting, strategy implementation, compliance, risk management, and financial planning.
Unlike the CFO role, which is typically strategic at the executive board level, the Finance Director position commonly emphasises operational financial management and tactical execution.
The responsibilities of a Finance Director often vary depending on the size and complexity of the organisation, but generally, they oversee financial operations to support sustainable growth and stability.
A Finance Director serves as the bridge between the executive team and the finance department.
They are responsible for overseeing all financial activities, including reporting, compliance, risk management, and strategy.
While similar to a Chief Financial Officer (and in some cases, instead of), the Finance Director role typically focuses more on the operational aspects of finance, providing critical support during stages of growth, restructuring, or when financial oversight is needed.
Overseeing accurate preparation of financial statements, ensuring regulatory compliance and timely reporting.
Developing and managing financial forecasts and budgets, providing actionable insights that align with the company's strategic objectives.
Identifying potential financial risks and establishing effective controls to mitigate their impact on business performance.
Supporting the executive team with strategic financial insights, helping drive long-term business planning and decision-making.
Leading the finance team, developing skills, enhancing productivity, and fostering a culture of accountability.
Managing relationships with external auditors, tax consultants, and regulatory authorities, ensuring full compliance and clear reporting standards.
Regularly reviewing company financial performance, identifying issues early, and recommending improvement initiatives.
Ensuring daily financial operations run smoothly, efficiently, and with clear accountability for results.
A successful Finance Director should demonstrate a robust blend of technical financial expertise, leadership abilities, and strategic thinking.
The following skills and attributes should be clearly stated in your Finance Director job description:
Comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, statutory compliance, taxation, and financial reporting standards.
Proven capability in aligning financial strategies with overarching business goals to support sustainable growth and profitability.
Clear communication of complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders, fostering informed decision-making across the organisation.
Ability to swiftly identify financial challenges, analyse problems thoroughly, and implement practical solutions.
Experience within your particular industry, enabling a deeper understanding of the unique financial challenges and opportunities your organisation faces.
Rigorous accuracy in all financial activities and reporting, ensuring integrity and compliance with regulatory standards.
In Sydney, the typical salary range for a Finance Director within an SME is approximately:
$220,000 to $350,000 per year + Superannuation + Bonus (variable based on experience and industry).
This benchmark can vary depending on the complexity of the role, the organisation’s size, and specific industry factors.
While there are similarities, it's important to understand the distinction clearly:
A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is typically part of the executive team and primarily focuses on high-level strategic financial planning, investment decisions, and external stakeholder relations.
A Finance Director, by contrast, typically emphasises operational and tactical financial management. While they contribute strategically, their core focus is usually on implementing and managing financial controls, processes, and reporting within the organisation.
In smaller organisations, these roles may overlap significantly, while larger companies often have distinct and complementary CFO and Finance Director roles.
Businesses sometimes require an interim Finance Director for short-term leadership during transitional periods, such as mergers, acquisitions, restructures, or senior management changes.
Interim roles typically emphasise rapid integration, short-term results, and immediate operational effectiveness.
Permanent Finance Director roles focus on long-term strategic financial management, team leadership, and ensuring sustained financial performance and compliance.
If you’re ready to strengthen your financial leadership, Richard Lloyd is here to help.
Contact us today to begin the process of hiring a Finance Director or an interim Finance Director that meets your business's needs.
Let us help you find the financial leadership that will drive your business forward.
An FD has the overall responsibility of managing the company's financial affairs and ensuring the accurate reporting of financial results. They are a crucial member of the executive leadership team.
A Finance Director will have worked their way up through the accounting path and would have had a previous role as an Accountant. Education and qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field (including an MBA) plus a professional accounting qualification such as CA or CPA.
Typically a Finance Manager will oversee the financial and management reporting of the business and they will report to the Financial Controller or CFO/FD depending on the company size.
A Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer generally have the same remit and are accountable for the financial management of the business. In larger organisations, the FD may report to the CFO.
On average, a Finance Director's salary ranges from $200K - $300K + Superannuation. Additional benefits can include a bonus, shares or equity depending on the company.
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