Finance Manager
Also known as: Head of Finance · Finance Lead
Leads the finance function, is responsible for reporting, budget, liquidity and compliance and advises the board on financial policy.
The finance manager leads administration and control and is the board's point of contact for all financial matters. Unlike the controller, this role carries staff and budget responsibility and therefore a leadership component. Selection stalls on choosing for financial depth, while in practice the role fails on leading an administration team and enforcing a closing calendar nobody else feels bound by.
Competencies to measure
These are the behavioural and ability constructs in this profile. Each one shows which hrmforce questionnaire measures it.
| Competencies to measure | Target level | hrmforce instrument | Assessment method | Behavioural anchor at target level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy and attention to detail Competency (50-framework): Accuracy | N5 | Big Fifty, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Sets the standards for completeness and correctness, has samples checked and addresses teams on structural sloppiness. |
| Numerical reasoning | N5 | Ability Scan | Cognitive ability test | Sees in complex number series which assumptions determine the outcome and sets the calculation logic that others in the organisation follow. |
| integrity and dependability Competency (50-framework): Integrity | N5 | Big Fifty (Integrity Scale), 360 Feedback, Structured interview | Personality questionnaire | Sets the organisation's integrity standards, enforces them also with influential parties and explains the resulting choices publicly. |
| Directing and steering people Competency (50-framework): Management | N5 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, 360 Feedback | Assessment centre | Designs the management line for the whole organisation, addresses managers on their style and defines what good steering means here. |
| Discipline and keeping commitments Competency (50-framework): Discipline | N4 | Big Fifty, 15PF, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Commits only to what is feasible, tracks own commitments and informs those involved as soon as a deadline comes under pressure. |
| Managing workload pressure Competency (50-framework): Stress resilience | N4 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, Pulse Survey | Structured interview | Cuts or shifts tasks independently when busy on the basis of importance, records this and discusses consequences with clients. |
Short profile
The ten heaviest skills in this profile. The full profile with every skill, behavioural anchor and assessment method is in the download.
| T | Skill | Target level | Weight | Knockout | Assessment method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Quantitative interpretation | N5 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| G | Accuracy and attention to detail | N5 | 5 | no | Personality questionnaire |
| V | Budgeting and cost control | N5 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| V | Controlling and management information | N4 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| A | Numerical reasoning | N5 | 4 | no | Cognitive ability test |
| G | integrity and dependability | N5 | 4 | no | Personality questionnaire |
| G | Directing and steering people | N5 | 4 | no | Assessment centre |
| V | Budget and financial accountability | N5 | 4 | no | Knowledge test |
| T | Spreadsheets and worksheets | N5 | 4 | yes | Work sample test |
| K | Reading and interpreting financial reports | N5 | 4 | no | Knowledge test |
See all 27 skills in the full profile
Assessment instruments for this job
Work sample test
Representative work sample under standardized conditions
Knowledge test (client-specific)
Professional knowledge test, customized for each client
Competency Check
Behavioral-Level Competency Assessment
Big Fifty
Personality questionnaire, 150 items, 25 factors
360 Feedback
Multiple assessments based on behavioral anchors
Ability Scan
Aptitude Test: Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract Reasoning Skills
Portfolio
Evaluation of prior work against fixed criteria
Structured interview
Behavioral interview with a fixed structure
Big Fifty (Integrity Scale)
15PF
Personality Profile, a shorter alternative to the Big Fifty
Pulse Survey
Periodic measurement at the team and organizational levels
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