Money is always a consideration when considering career paths. One of the reasons people get into finance is they like working with money and they like to make money, as well. While you can expect to be compensated well if you work in finance and accounting, some jobs pay better than others. Therefore, it’s important to understand which jobs pay well when defining your career path.
In consultation with our financial recruiters, I curated the following list of the 10 highest-paying jobs in finance. Below is a list of jobs with the highest earning potential:
Chief Financial Officer – Up to $450,000
A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) oversees a company’s financial operations, ensuring financial health and stability. The CFO develops strategies for growth, allocates budgets, and monitors cash flow. They ensure compliance with financial regulations and work closely with other executives to guide overall company strategy.
Director of Tax Operations – Up to $300,000
A Director of Tax Operations oversees a company’s tax strategies and compliance. They manage tax planning, reporting, and filing processes, ensuring adherence to local, provincial, and federal tax laws. They collaborate with finance and legal teams to align tax strategies with business objectives, ensuring accurate and timely tax returns while mitigating risks related to tax matters.
Vice President of Finance – Up to $250,000
The Vice President of Finance oversees a company’s financial activities, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. They manage financial risks, analyze financial data, and provide strategic recommendations to senior management. The VP of Finance ensures financial compliance, optimizes financial performance, and supports long-term financial goals, playing a key role in guiding the company’s financial strategy and decision-making processes.
Financial Risk Manager – Up to $220,000
A Financial Risk Manager identifies, analyzes, and mitigates financial risks within an organization. They assess market, credit, and operational risks, develop risk management strategies, and implement controls to minimize potential financial losses. They provide recommendations to senior management on risk-related issues, helping to protect the company’s financial stability and optimize its risk-return profile.
Director of Investment – Up to $200,000
A Director of Investment manages a company’s investment strategies and portfolio. They analyze market trends, identify investment opportunities, and make decisions to maximize returns. They collaborate with financial analysts and advisors, develop investment policies, and ensure compliance with regulations. Their role is crucial in guiding investment decisions to achieve the organization’s financial goals and growth objectives.
Director of Finance – Up to $150,000
A Director of Finance is responsible for the financial operations of an organization. They manage budgeting, financial planning, and reporting, ensuring accurate financial records. They supervise accounting staff, monitor cash flow, and provide insights for strategic decision-making. The Director of Finance plays an essential role in maintaining the financial health and stability of the organization.
Controller – Up to $200,000
A Controller manages an organization’s accounting operations, including preparing financial statements, budgeting, and maintaining accurate financial records. They ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations, conduct internal audits, and implement financial controls. The Controller provides financial analysis and reporting to support decision-making, working closely with senior management to ensure the organization’s financial integrity and efficiency.
Internal Auditor – Up to $180,000
An Internal Auditor evaluates and improves an organization’s internal controls, risk management, and governance processes. They conduct audits to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, assess the effectiveness of financial reporting, and identify areas for operational improvement. Internal Auditors help safeguard assets, enhance efficiency, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial information.
Payroll Manager – Up to $120,000
A Payroll Manager oversees the processing of employee salaries, wages, bonuses, and deductions. They handle payroll reporting, resolve discrepancies, and address employee payroll inquiries. The Payroll Manager also ensures proper record-keeping, coordinates with HR for employee data updates, and implements payroll policies and procedures to maintain efficiency and accuracy in payroll operations.
Actuary – Up to $120,000
An actuary analyzes financial risks using mathematical and statistical methods to help organizations make informed decisions. They assess the likelihood and financial impact of uncertain events, such as death, illness, or natural disasters, to develop strategies for managing risks. Actuaries work in insurance, pension funds, and other industries, determining premiums, reserves, and other financial aspects. They also advise on investment strategies and regulatory compliance to ensure financial stability and sustainability.
All salaries listed are estimates. Compensation numbers vary based on the employer, location, industry and other factors.
A Final Word On The Highest Paying Jobs In Finance
As one would expect, senior-level roles dominate the list of top-paying finance jobs. As you can see in the above list, many diverse finance career paths offer a high earning potential.
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