Post job

Finance project manager vs finance leader

The differences between finance project managers and finance leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a finance project manager and a finance leader. Additionally, a finance leader has an average salary of $117,284, which is higher than the $105,050 average annual salary of a finance project manager.

The top three skills for a finance project manager include project management, financial analysis and process improvement. The most important skills for a finance leader are financial analysis, financial management, and business development.

Finance project manager vs finance leader overview

Finance Project ManagerFinance Leader
Yearly salary$105,050$117,284
Hourly rate$50.50$56.39
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs253,61193,582
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a finance project manager do?

A finance project manager handles the financial analysis of a project management process, including budgeting from the clients' requirements until the forecasting on project revenues. Finance project managers analyze financial statements and account transactions of a company, identifying business opportunities to generate more resources to increase revenue and profits. They create financial reports, recommending cost-reduction techniques to minimize loss while increasing the efficiency of the staff performance, strategizing procedures to maximize productivity, especially on meeting deadlines with high-quality deliverables.

What does a finance leader do?

The duties of a finance leader depend on one's place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around monitoring the sales and financial operations in a company, preparing financial reports and statements, finding new sales opportunities, identifying the market and client needs, and maintaining records of all financial transactions. There are also instances where a finance leader may set and allocate budgets, perform audits in costs and expenditures, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Finance project manager vs finance leader salary

Finance project managers and finance leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Finance Project ManagerFinance Leader
Average salary$105,050$117,284
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $150,000Between $78,000 And $174,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaOregon
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between finance project manager and finance leader education

There are a few differences between a finance project manager and a finance leader in terms of educational background:

Finance Project ManagerFinance Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Finance project manager vs finance leader demographics

Here are the differences between finance project managers' and finance leaders' demographics:

Finance Project ManagerFinance Leader
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 63.1% Female, 36.9%Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between finance project manager and finance leader duties and responsibilities

Finance project manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate all aspect of treasury operations.
  • Manage and implement Hyperion centralize planning/budgeting/forecasting solution.
  • Design all new internal management financial reports during the implementation and develop these reports in the new ERP environment.
  • Team member for ERP and accounting package evaluation and implementation project.
  • Maintain cash and paper flow, including monthly reporting, payroll, and expenses, using QuickBooks.
  • Enhance existing cash flow model and correct Hyperion logic rules as required for acquisitions, disposition and restatements.
  • Show more

Finance leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate annual GAAP audit of corporation financial statements.
  • Manage impairment and trouble debt restructures identification & measurement process in compliance with regulatory and GAAP guidance.
  • Participate in Lawson ERP implementation and training resources for corporate and site finance group.
  • Create superior back office business processes in conjunction with JD Edwards ERP implementation team.
  • Recruit by the CFO to support the growth and development of the Americas business.
  • Review, interpret, and approve budgets for all trade promotion events in the Americas.
  • Show more

Finance project manager vs finance leader skills

Common finance project manager skills
  • Project Management, 18%
  • Financial Analysis, 7%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
  • Financial Systems, 3%
  • Project Plan, 3%
  • Risk Management, 3%
Common finance leader skills
  • Financial Analysis, 8%
  • Financial Management, 5%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • Financial Performance, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • HR, 4%

Browse executive management jobs