How to become a Finance Director: skills, qualifications and salary

Applying for a Finance Director job is a major milestone in any finance or accountancy professional's career. It represents the transition from operational management to strategic leadership, where you are no longer just reporting on the numbers but using them to shape the future of the organisation. 

Finance Directors (FDs) are pivotal members of the executive team. They play a crucial role in setting the company's financial strategy, ensuring compliance, and driving overall commercial success. Because of this influence, the path to becoming an FD is rigorous, requiring a blend of technical expertise and high-level leadership skills. 

Whether you are early in your career or a Head of Finance looking for that final step up, understanding how to become a Finance Director is essential for mapping out your progression. 

In this guide, we explore the skills, qualifications and experience employers are looking for. We’ll cover: 

• What a Finance Director actually does 
• Finance Director qualifications and essential skills 
• The typical career path and timeline 
• Finance Director salary expectations in the UK 

What does a Finance Director do? 

To secure a senior role, you must understand the specific responsibilities that come with it. A Finance Director job description goes far beyond basic accounting; it’s about commercial leadership. 

Finance Directors oversee the entire finance function. Working as part of the senior management team, and often sitting on the Board, they act as a strategic partner to the CEO or Managing Director. 

Depending on the industry and company size, core responsibilities typically include: 

• Strategic planning: Developing business objectives, and ensuring financial performance aligns with long-term goals. 
• Financial control: Overseeing the preparation of statutory accounts, value-add commentary, and explanations for key variances. 
• Cash management: Managing budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and credit control to ensure liquidity. 
• Governance: Leading on audits, tax strategies, and mitigating financial risk. 
• Investment appraisal: Analysing proposals to inform future strategy, M&A activity, or capital expenditure. 
• Team leadership: Mentoring and managing the wider finance team, from financial controllers to assistants. 

Although these are the typical job requirements for Finance Directors, the exact responsibilities associated with the role will vary depending on the organisation. However, the core mission remains the same: ensuring financial stability while driving growth. 

What skills are required for Finance Directors? 

To become a successful Finance Director, technical ability is a given. What sets top candidates apart is their broader commercial skillset. You need to demonstrate that you can translate complex data into actionable business insights. 

Essential technical and leadership skills 

• Strategic thinking: The ability to look beyond the month-end and align financial planning with 3-5 year business goals. 
• Commercial awareness: A deep understanding of market dynamics, competitors, and how external factors affect the business and profitability. 
• Leadership and influence: You must be able to manage teams and challenge stakeholders, often delivering difficult news to the Board. 
• Analytical mindset: The capacity to interpret data trends and use them to drive efficiency or revenue. 
• Regulatory knowledge: Up-to-date expertise in financial regulations (such as IFRS or UK GAAP) and compliance standards. 

Crucial soft skills 

Employers often specify these traits in Finance Director job specifications: 

• Communication: Can you explain complex financial risks to non-finance colleagues? 
• Resilience: The ability to remain calm under pressure during audits or cash flow crises. 
• Adaptability: Being comfortable with rapid change, especially in high-growth or tech-led sectors. 
• Tech-savviness: Familiarity with modern ERP systems, automation tools, and data visualisation software (like Power BI). 

What qualifications do you need to become a Finance Director? 

There is no single "correct" path, but certain Finance Director qualifications are standard across the UK market. 

Most employers expect: 

1. A relevant degree: Typically in accounting, finance, economics, business, or mathematics. 
2. Professional chartered status: This is almost non-negotiable. You should be fully qualified with a recognised body: 

• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) 
• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) – often preferred in industry/commercial roles. 
• ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) – often preferred for those coming from a practice background. 

Pro tip: Additional certifications in corporate governance, MBA degrees, or leadership courses can significantly enhance your prospects when competing for top-tier roles. 

Typical career path to Finance Director 

The journey to the boardroom usually involves moving through a series of increasingly responsible roles. A typical progression might look like this: 

1. Finance Assistant / Trainee Accountant: Gaining foundational knowledge while studying. 
2. Management / Financial Accountant: Building core technical skills in reporting and analysis. 
3. Finance Manager / Financial Controller: Managing teams and overseeing day-to-day operations. 
4. Head of Finance: Taking ownership of the full finance function and engaging with strategy. 
5. Finance Director: Strategic leadership. 

Each stage is an opportunity to build your "toolkit" – from budgeting and forecasting to people management and systems implementation. 

Finance Director salary in the UK 

Compensation is a major factor when planning your career. Finance Director salary packages vary significantly based on location, sector, and company turnover. 

Generally, private equity-backed businesses and large PLCs offer higher base salaries than the public sector or charities, though the latter often offer excellent pension benefits. 

Typical salary benchmarks (UK average): 

• SME / Not-for-profit: £70,000 – £95,000 
• Mid-market private companies: £95,000 – £130,000 
• Large corporate / PLC: £130,000 – £180,000+ 
• Public sector and not-for-profit:

Additional benefits may include performance bonuses, car allowances, pension contributions, and private healthcare.  

Emerging trends: What modern FDs need to know 

The role of the Finance Director is evolving. To future-proof your career, you should be aware of these emerging priorities: 

• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance): FDs are increasingly responsible for sustainability reporting and ensuring green investments. 
• Digital Transformation: Leading the shift towards AI-driven forecasting and automated reporting processes. 
• Data Strategy: Moving from being a "scorekeeper" to a "data custodian," ensuring the business uses data effectively.
  

Checklist: How to strengthen your Finance Director job application 

If you possess the necessary skills and qualifications, use this checklist to ensure your application stands out: 

• Audit your experience: Do you have examples of raising finance, managing an audit, or leading a restructure? 
• Tech proficiency: Ensure you are familiar with the latest financial software and ERP systems. 
• Broaden your network: Build relationships with non-finance heads (Sales, Ops, HR) to demonstrate your ability to work cross-functionally. 
• Quantify your impact: On your CV, don't just list responsibilities. Use numbers: "Reduced operating costs by 15%," "Managed a £50m budget," "Oversaw a team of 12."
• Get the right references: Secure references that speak to your leadership and strategic insight, not just your accounting accuracy. 

The benefits of working with a specialist recruiter 

Finding a role that matches your ambitions is much easier when you work with a specialist recruitment agency. The market for Finance Director jobs is often hidden, with senior and executive roles handled exclusively by headhunters before they hit job boards. 

A specialist recruitment partner can: 

• Provide honest salary benchmarking for your specific sector. 
• Offer insight into the company culture and board dynamics. 
• Help refine your personal brand and CV for an executive audience. 

At Sellick Partnership, we have extensive experience placing high-calibre candidates into senior finance leadership roles across the UK and into a variety of sectors and industries. We understand that at this level, cultural fit is just as important as technical competence. 

Ready to take the next step? 

Whether you’re actively looking for your first Finance Director level role or just exploring the market, we can help. 

To find out how Sellick Partnership can help, visit our Senior & Executive recruitment hub or our dedicated Finance & Accountancy recruitment hub where you can explore the latest vacancies we have available. If you don't come across anything suitable, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us anyway, as we might be working on upcoming and exclusive roles.  

Explore our current Finance Director jobs or get in touch today for a confidential chat about your career.