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Management & Entrepreneurship · Business Information Management

Financial manager: bachelor's degree and 5+ years in accounting, analysis or another finance job

Financial managers typically need a bachelor's degree in business, economics or a related field and 5 years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation. CPAs are licensed by their state board; other certification is optional.

For: People who are strong with numbers and detail and want to lead an organization's money decisions.

See the roadmap Financial Manager guide

Route 1: Degree → 5+ years in a finance job → manager Typical

They may have worked as a loan officer, accountant, securities sales agent or financial analyst. Some companies provide management training.

  1. Start here

    High school diploma

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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  2. About 4 years

    Bachelor's in business, economics or a related field

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. 5+ years

    Accountant, financial analyst or loan officer

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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    Financial analyst roadmap

  4. Goal

    Financial manager

    Experienced financial managers may advance to chief financial officer (CFO).

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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Route 2: Accountant → CPA license → financial manager If the job needs a CPA

Certified public accountants are licensed by their state's board of accountancy and must pass an exam.

  1. Start here

    Bachelor's in accounting

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. Exam gate

    Uniform CPA Exam

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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    CPA Exam details

  3. License

    State CPA license

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source
    CPA license steps

  4. Goal

    Financial manager

    BLS
    Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

Licenses, registrations and certifications

Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.

CPA license
State boards of accountancy · State license
CPAs are licensed by their state's board of accountancy and must pass an exam.
BLS
Financial Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
Checked
20 Oct 2026
View source
Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
AGA · Voluntary
Covers governmental accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls and budgeting; three exams, and holders renew every year with continuing education.
AGA
Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)AGA
Checked
20 Oct 2026
View source
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Back to the full Financial Manager guide

What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.

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Every step links to the official page it came from (regulators, licensing boards, the law), checked 20 Oct 2026. State and city licensing rules change: confirm with the board where you will work before you pay any fee. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses. All careers →