Post job

Lead finance analyst vs finance manager

The differences between lead finance analysts and finance managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a lead finance analyst, becoming a finance manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a finance manager has an average salary of $101,374, which is higher than the $85,672 average annual salary of a lead finance analyst.

The top three skills for a lead finance analyst include financial analysis, hyperion and financial planning analysis. The most important skills for a finance manager are financial analysis, CPA, and customer service.

Lead finance analyst vs finance manager overview

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Manager
Yearly salary$85,672$101,374
Hourly rate$41.19$48.74
Growth rate9%17%
Number of jobs89,105125,345
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4046
Years of experience48

What does a lead finance analyst do?

A lead finance analyst is responsible for monitoring the company's financial conditions, analyzing account statements, and resolving payment discrepancies. Lead finance analysts create expense reports and budget forecasting, as well as identifying business opportunities that would minimize loss and generate revenues for the business. They also oversee financial and business transactions, perform bank reconciliations, and manage outstanding payments. A lead finance analyst must have excellent analytical and communication skills, especially in discussing financial results to the management and recommending strategic techniques for cost-reduction activities.

What does a finance manager do?

A finance manager is responsible for monitoring the financial system of a company. Their tasks include handling their organization's financial status, generating cost estimates and budget goals, identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability, improving financial strategies, reducing costs, analyzing account statements, processing invoice as needed, analyzing market trends, searching potential partnerships, and presenting reports. A finance manager must have excellent analytical skills and knowledge of the accounting and financial industry. They are responsible for providing the best recommendations for the organization's growth.

Lead finance analyst vs finance manager salary

Lead finance analysts and finance managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Manager
Average salary$85,672$101,374
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $114,000Between $71,000 And $144,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyPacific Investment Management Company LLCBarclays
Best paying industryTelecommunicationFinance

Differences between lead finance analyst and finance manager education

There are a few differences between a lead finance analyst and a finance manager in terms of educational background:

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lead finance analyst vs finance manager demographics

Here are the differences between lead finance analysts' and finance managers' demographics:

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Manager
Average age4046
Gender ratioMale, 57.0% Female, 43.0%Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%11%

Differences between lead finance analyst and finance manager duties and responsibilities

Lead finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and train a team of twelve employees to create SQL audits to identify errors in electronic billing.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Point of contact for external audit engagements relate to preparation of GAAP audit financial statements.
  • Complete bank reconciliations on a monthly basis.
  • Post cash receipts daily, and ensure accurate reconciliation to banks and ERP system.
  • Standardize processes in preparation of ERP implementation.
  • Show more

Finance manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage the preparation of monthly reporting packs and board presentations with robust variance analysis, commentaries and forward looking KPIs.
  • Manage a team of sales persons, business managers, sales manager, A/R, A/P, and general managers.
  • Lead successful sales team and provide direct oversight on overall dealership business profitability.
  • Manage accounts payable/receivable, deposits, payroll preparation, purchasing and inventory management, liaison to accountant.
  • Oversee financial analysis, financial audits, G/L, A/R, A/P and fixed-asset accounting in accordance with GAAP standards.
  • Execute simple SQL queries to validate data in tables.
  • Show more

Lead finance analyst vs finance manager skills

Common lead finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • Hyperion, 8%
  • Financial Planning Analysis, 6%
  • Ad-Hoc Analysis, 4%
  • Balance Sheet, 3%
  • Financial Data, 3%
Common finance manager skills
  • Financial Analysis, 7%
  • CPA, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Hyperion, 4%
  • Financial Models, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%

Browse business and financial jobs