What does a financial operations manager do?

Managing the financial heartbeat of a business isn’t easy. Between daily operations, technology upgrades, compliance requirements and keeping teams aligned, it takes more than accounting skills to stay on top of it all.

That’s where the financial operations manager comes in: the role that keeps finance organised, efficient and connected to the bigger business strategy.

We’ll break down what the role involves, when growing companies should consider hiring one – and how to succeed once you’re in the job.

Key takeaways:

• A financial operations manager turns strategy into action. They bridge the gap between the CFO’s vision and the finance team’s execution.
• The role is about more than numbers: it’s about people, processes and performance – about keeping finance aligned with business goals.
• The financial operations manager isn’t just for large corporations. Small and mid-sized companies also gain structure and clarity by having someone lead financial operations.
• Automation is your ally. The most effective financial operations managers use technology to reduce manual work and focus on driving strategy.

What is a financial operations manager?

A financial operations manager turns strategy into action. Their role is to break big-picture financial goals into clear, measurable tasks – and make sure the team delivers.

Think of the financial operations manager as the bridge between vision and execution. They take the CFO’s strategic goals, turn them into clear, actionable steps for the finance team and keep the whole process running smoothly.

The role isn’t just about balancing books. It’s about connecting strategy, performance and people. It keeps finance aligned, accountable and moving towards what really matters to the business – efficiently and effectively.

Is a financial operations manager the same as a CFO?

Not quite. There are some key differences between the role of a chief financial officer (CFO) and a financial operations manager:

Key responsibilities of a financial operations manager

The role of financial operations manager can vary from organisation to organisation. However, it typically includes responsibilities like:

• Deciding which software the team will use
• Developing initiatives to help the team achieve the set goals
• Complying with regulatory requirements
• Forming investment strategies
• Reviewing credit applications
• Managing the annual budget
• Monitoring expenses

The financial operations manager regularly reports to the CFO around the agreed goals – typically on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis They also support and supervise daily team goings-on.

When should you hire a financial operations manager?

When most people think of a financial operations manager, they typically imagine a large corporation with tons of departments stretched across the globe.

But here’s the thing: many small to medium-sized companies may have an equal need for structure in the finance department. If the department has grown to 15–20 employees but doesn’t have a team to drive strategy, the direction from leadership can get lost along the way.

Hiring a financial operations manager may also become a priority when your business’s financial goals are more aggressive than before. In growth periods, keeping a lid on the organisational side of things becomes more crucial than ever.

In these situations, a financial operations manager can make a real difference by:

• Revamping dry financial reports
• Onboarding the best-suited technology for your business
• Improving relationships with suppliers
• Encouraging and up-skilling the team by setting new responsibilities
• Networking with potential investors
• Planning ways to improve the management expenses

In short, a financial operations manager brings order to growth, ensuring your finance function scales smoothly, stays aligned with strategy and delivers real business impact.

3 tips: How to be an effective financial operations manager

Have you just started this new role – and do you feel slightly overwhelmed? Or maybe you're looking for some new direction when it comes to progress and growth?

Let’s take a look at some tips you can implement today to achieve more success in the financial operations manager role.

1. Regularly review operations, systems and processes

Regular reviews shouldn’t be a one-off exercise: they should be part of your team’s rhythm. When assessments become routine, change feels natural, not disruptive. This makes adopting new technologies smoother and prevents your organisation from falling behind with outdated tools.

Start by evaluating how well your systems and processes actually work. Process improvement is key – but so is employee satisfaction.

Do your tools empower people to do their best work, or are they slowing them down?

For example, you might roll out a new accounting system designed to make balance sheets easier. But if employees don’t know how to use it properly, it’s wasted potential. Regular check-ins can uncover these gaps early and ensure your team gets the support and training they need to thrive.

2. Be an approachable point of contact for the team

It’s been proven time and time again that leaders and management styles have a huge impact on how motivated employees are in their roles. In fact, at least 70% of the variance in employee engagement can be attributed directly to their managers.

Being an approachable manager, instead of one that doesn’t prioritise communicating with their team, can make a huge difference. When team members feel confident asking questions, offering opinions and contributing to the overall environment, they’re likely to feel more valued within the company. Levels of productivity will increase – it can even help prevent burnout.

And that’s not all. Creating an open and collaborative team atmosphere also makes your people more likely to stick around – and that saves your HR department a whole lot of extra work (and money) finding, hiring and onboarding new finance employees.

3. Automate, automate, automate

It probably goes without saying that you could get a lot more work done throughout the day if all the manual tasks were taken off your plate – and luckily, they can be.

Whether you’re focusing on reporting key data points, developing internal regulatory compliance policies or conducting business travel more effectively, there’s an app for it. In fact, the best software covers multiple bases so that many of your tasks can be integrated into a single system.

By automating the manual parts of the role, you’re likely to use your time on value-adding tasks that could make a huge difference to the business.

F.A.Q.

Thinking a financial operations manager could be the job for you? Let’s go through some commonly asked questions when it comes to the skillset this role requires.

Who reports to a financial operations manager?

Pretty much anyone who performs financial services will report to the operations manager.

Team structures can vary based on size; there may be an accountant, a financial analyst, a bookkeeper and a payroll manager, for example.

In larger organisations, the financial operations manager may have only the financial operations assistants reporting to them. In the company hierarchy, the operations manager may be equal to the likes of a financial controller who manages accounting and a financial planning manager who oversees supplier relationships, expenses and forecasting.

In most organisations, the financial operations manager reports to the CFO or CEO.

How do you become a financial operations manager?

When reviewing candidates for a financial operations manager role, employers typically look for a mix of education, experience and practical skills.

At a minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in economics, accounting, finance or a related field. Many candidates also hold a master’s degree in business administration or management, but what matters most is demonstrating strong technical and financial expertise.

You’ll generally need at least five years of experience in a finance department – whether you’ve started in an entry-level role or worked your way up to a senior position.

Beyond qualifications, great financial operations managers stand out for their organisational and leadership skills. The role is all about streamlining processes, managing teams and keeping multiple priorities on track.

Just as crucial is strategic thinking – the ability to design and execute plans that achieve your company’s financial goals.

How long does it take to become a financial operations manager?

Financial management roles aren’t typically ones you step into overnight. Most job descriptions for financial operations managers require at least five years of experience in a finance-related role, often with progressive responsibility.

For many professionals, the path begins with a three- or four-year degree in finance, accounting or economics, followed by a few years in roles such as financial analyst, accountant or senior accountant. From there, it can take around eight to twelve years of steady career growth to reach a financial operations management position – depending on the size of the organisation and the opportunities available.

If you’re already working within a finance department, you can accelerate your progress by gaining hands-on experience in financial operations or team leadership. Whether through managing processes, implementing systems or supporting strategic initiatives, this experience helps build the operational and managerial skills you need to step into the role confidently.

Work smarter with Pleo

We’ve said it before: automation is your friend. The right tools can transform how financial operations managers work, turning manual, time-consuming tasks into seamless, automated workflows.

Pleo makes all the difference:

• Automate expense management – no more chasing recipes or reconciling spreadsheets.
• Gain real-time spending visibility and track every transaction as it happens.
• Simplify approvals and reimbursements. Keep processes quick, transparent and compliant.
• Empower your team. Give employees smart company cards with spending limits that fit your policies.

The friction of everyday financial tasks is a thing of the past. With Pleo, you’re free to focus on what really matters: optimising performance, supporting the team and driving business growth.

Pretty cool, right? We think so, too. Work smarter with Pleo today.