How to hire a fiscal manager

How to hire a fiscal manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fiscal manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fiscal manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fiscal manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a fiscal manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The fiscal manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a fiscal manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a fiscal manager that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of fiscal managers.

   Type of Fiscal Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Fiscal Manager	Financial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.	$20-40
   Manager Finance Planning And Analysis	A manager finance planning and analysis oversees the daily operations of a company's financial planning department. They typically have administrative duties such as setting goals and guidelines, establishing timelines and budgets, delegating tasks among teams and staff, and reviewing financial reports regularly... Show more	$36-71
   Manager/Finance Accounting	A manager of finance accounting's role is to oversee the financial activities in a company or organization. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with other departments to gather financial data, analyze the revenues and expenditures, and develop written reports and presentations... Show more	$31-61

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Fiscal Management
   • Payroll Taxes
   • General Ledger
   • Federal Regulations
   • Fiscal Policies
   • Journal Entries
   • Financial Management
   • Reconciliations
   • Internal Controls
   • GAAP
   • Financial Analysis
   • Technical Assistance
   • Financial Data
   • Grants Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the annual audit process; working with auditors to ensure programs compliance and GAAP.
   • Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting & reconciliations.
   • Manage bank reconciliations, financial analysis, and monthly reporting, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data.
   • Coordinate annual audit with CPA firm.
   • Close financial activity and prepare monthly financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
   • Provide general oversight of financial reporting and auditing of subcontract agencies to ensure fiscal compliance with contractual and funder requirements.

   More fiscal manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fiscal manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A fiscal manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, fiscal managers' average salary in alabama is 34% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fiscal managers 49% less than senior-level fiscal managers.
   • Certifications. A fiscal manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a fiscal manager's salary.

   Average fiscal manager salary

   $61,354yearly

   $29.50 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fiscal manager salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average fiscal manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$77,490	$37
   2	Montana	$71,007	$34
   3	New York	$70,145	$34
   4	Massachusetts	$67,667	$33
   5	Utah	$67,550	$32
   6	Florida	$66,194	$32
   7	Alaska	$65,496	$31
   8	Oregon	$61,173	$29
   9	New Mexico	$60,795	$29
   10	Ohio	$59,440	$29
   11	Michigan	$59,291	$29
   12	Colorado	$57,846	$28
   13	Kentucky	$57,556	$28
   14	North Carolina	$56,049	$27
   15	Texas	$55,056	$26
   16	Oklahoma	$53,351	$26
   17	Georgia	$53,340	$26
   18	Wyoming	$53,317	$26
   19	Missouri	$53,056	$26
   20	South Carolina	$52,173	$25

   Average fiscal manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	City of Detroit	$67,229	$32.32
   2	City of San Antonio	$66,026	$31.74
   3	University of Alaska	$62,594	$30.09	4
   4	Ventura County Community Foundation	$62,336	$29.97
   5	The Walt Disney Company	$61,220	$29.43	13
   6	National Urban League	$61,100	$29.38
   7	University of Georgia Small Business Development Center	$59,240	$28.48
   8	City of St. Louis	$59,227	$28.47
   9	Salt Lake County	$59,059	$28.39
   10	Montana State University	$58,848	$28.29	4
   11	COUNTY OF MERCED	$58,803	$28.27
   12	Howard County Government	$58,026	$27.90
   13	Missouri Enterprise	$57,366	$27.58
   14	Boston Public Health Commission	$56,551	$27.19	3
   15	City of Columbus	$55,662	$26.76
   16	Wyoming	$54,662	$26.28	1
   17	Family Building Blocks	$54,581	$26.24
   18	Mary Hall Freedom V	$54,057	$25.99
   19	S.C. Department of Commerce	$53,412	$25.68
   20	Adecco	$52,003	$25.00	9

4. Writing a fiscal manager job description

   A fiscal manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a fiscal manager job description:

   Fiscal manager job description example

   PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION POSITION DESCRIPTION
   
   Title: Fiscal Manager
   
   The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) was established in 1947 as one of three interstate commissions dedicated to resolving multi-jurisdictional fisheries issues. PSMFC's primary goal is to promote and support policies and actions to conserve, develop, and manage our fishery resources in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. We accomplish this through coordinating research activities, monitoring fishing activities, and facilitating a wide variety of projects. We work to collect data and maintain databases on salmon, steelhead, and other marine fish for fishery managers and the fishing industry.
   
   Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Fiscal Manager directs the organization's financial planning and accounting functions, and provides functional oversight for grants and contracts. This individual is expected to help lead the organization and its people through a variety of projects and programs.
   
   Please visit www.PSMFC.org for additional information regarding our programs. PSMFC offers a 100% employer-funded retirement program as well as a full array of benefits and flexible schedules.
   
   We look forward to hearing from dynamic and collaborative senior finance professionals who are passionate and dedicated to making a difference!
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   * Serve as key advisor to the Executive Director and management staff in financial aspects of program planning, execution, and review. Assure that financial considerations are taken into full account when programs and policy initiatives are formulated and implementation decisions are made.
   * Serve as key member of the leadership team, helping guide the organization, develop policies and promote employee growth.
   * Synthesize financial and management data for various management levels. Report on program accomplishments in financial terms. Evaluate financial practices to improve methods and systems, operate with greater efficiency, make best use of available technology, and provide better service to the organization.
   * Exercise control over the financial resources of PSMFC by establishing, implementing, and maintaining fiscal policies and procedures. Assure financial integrity is maintained and that adequate accounting, budgeting, reporting, payroll, grant and contract administration procedures are established to provide accountability and effective support for accomplishment of PSMFC mission.
   * Formulate, prepare, and evaluate the Commission's $125M base budget. Project financial requirements for the overall organization and individual programs and projects. Establish revenue levels to cover organizational costs. Present Commission's annual budget to the commissioners for their approval. Advise managers in preparation of budgets and funding requests for submission to various federal, state, and private entities.
   * Serve as custodian of Commission and grant funds. As officer of the organization, the position is designated as authorized signatory for all contracts, legal documents, bank accounts, and financial documents. Administer checking and savings accounts as required by grant and contract agencies. Serve as trustee for pension plan investments, maintaining records for the trust, assuring employee accounts are credited, and providing required reports.
   * Manage drawdowns of grant and contract funds.
   * Supervise, coach and evaluate directly and indirectly (as second level supervisor) accounting, contract, and payroll staff.
   
   Knowledge Required by the Position:
   
   * Broad and expert knowledge of principles, methods, techniques, and systems of financial management. This includes knowledge in the areas of: contracting, grants administration, payroll administration, budgeting, accounting, and financial management reporting.
   * Ability to apply a high level of sound, independent judgment in the solution of precedent-setting or high-impact financial problems.
   * Ability to develop, apply, adjust, and administer financial plans and policies to attain agency objectives.
   * Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of key management, staff, government agencies, and private entities. This requires the exercise of tact, ingenuity, and resourcefulness.
   * Ability to make oral and written presentations in a clear and concise manner.
   * Knowledge of PSMFC's programs and overall organization to operate an effective financial management system.
   * Ability to select, develop, and supervise a subordinate staff.
   
   Physical Demands:
   
   The work is sedentary and requires a great amount of concentration and attention to detail. Work involves extensive use of video display terminals and computers. Phone contact is frequent.
   
   PSMFC is an EEO/AAP employer. We maintain a drugfree workplace.
   
   Minimum Qualification Requirements:
   
   Three years of Specialized Experience is required.
   
   Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. It is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
   
   In addition to presenting the required specialized experience, all candidates must have demonstrated in their work experience or training that they possess, or have the potential to develop, the qualities of successful supervision.
   
   PSMFC Sellwood12 months or more Full-YearUp to 10%NoNone$140,000-165,000 DOEOct 31, 2022

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right fiscal manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fiscal manager job on Zippia to find and recruit fiscal manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit fiscal managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fiscal manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect fiscal manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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