Importance of Financial Management

Financial management is one of the most important aspects in business. In order to start up or even run a successful business, you will need excellent knowledge in financial management

What is financial management?

Financial management refers to the strategic planning, organising, directing, and controlling of financial undertakings in an organisation or an institute. It also includes applying management principles to the financial assets of an organisation, while also playing an important part in fiscal management.

In other terms, Financial Management is the application of general principles of management to the financial possessions of an enterprise. Proper management of an organization’s finance provides quality fuel and regular service to ensure efficient functioning. If finances are not properly dealt with an organization will face barriers that may have severe repercussions on its growth and development.

Take a look at the objectives involved:

1. Maintaining enough supply of funds for the organisation;
2. Ensuring shareholders of the organisation to get good returns on their investment;
3. Optimum and efficient utilization of funds;
4. Creating real and safe investment opportunities to invest in.

Financial management is also made up of certain elements. These include:

• Financial planning: This is the process of calculating the amount of capital that is required by an organisation and then determining its allocation. A financial plan includes certain key objectives, which are:
  • Determining the amount of capital required;
  • Determining the capital organisation and structure;
  • Framing of the organisation’s financial policies and regulations.
  • Financial control: This is one of the key activities in financial management. Its main role is to assess whether an organisation is meeting its objectives or not. Financial control answers the following questions:
  • Are the organisation’s assets being used competently?
  • Are the organisation’s assets secure?
  • Is the management acting in the best financial interests of the organisation and the key stakeholders?
  • Financial decision-making: This involves investment and financing with regards to the organisation. This department takes decisions about how the organisation should raise finance, whether they should sell new shares, or how the profit should be distributed.

The financial management department of any firm is handled by a financial manager. This department has numerous functions such as:

Effective management of money: This department is also responsible for effectively managing the firm’s money. Money is required for various purposes in the firm such as payment of salaries and bills, maintaining stock, meeting liabilities, and the purchase of any materials or equipment.

Calculating the capital required The financial manager has to calculate the amount of funds an organisation requires. This depends upon the policies of the firm with regards to expected expenses and profits

Allocation of profits: Once the organisation has earned a good amount of net profit, it is the financial manager’s duty to efficiently allocate it. This could involve keeping a part of the net profit for contingency, innovation, or expansion purposes, while another part of the profit can be used to provide dividends to the shareholders.

Financial control: Not only does the financial manager have to plan, organise, and obtain funds, but he also has to control and analyse the firm’s finances in the short-term and the long-term. This can be done using financial tools such as financial forecasting, ratio analysis, risk management, and profit and cost control.

Formation of capital structure

Investing the capital: Every organisation or firm needs to invest money in order to raise more capital and gain regular returns. Hence, the financial manager needs to invest the organisation’s funds in safe and profitable venture

This form of management is important for various reasons. Take a look at some of these reasons:

1. Helps organisations in financial planning;
2. Assists organisations in the planning and acquisition of funds;
3. Helps organisations in effectively utilising and allocating the funds received or acquired;
4. Assists organisations in making critical financial decisions;
5. Helps in improving the profitability of organisations;
6. Increases the overall value of the firms or organisations;
7. Provides economic stability;
8. Encourages employees to save money, which helps them in personal financial planning.

Scope of studying Financial Management

Doing a management course related to finance or gaining a finance degree offers excellent career opportunities. Take a look at some of these diverse career options:

1. Corporate manager;
2. Investment banker;
3. Financial advisor;
4. Financial analyst;
5. Financial examiners;
6. Financial managers;
7. Personal financial planners;
8. Budget analysts;
9. Investor relations associate or executive;
10. Credit analyst.

reasons to study financial management

Builds personality: Doing a course in this field also helps in improving your soft skills. This is because people who wish to work in this sector must be extroverts, and should be able to talk about finance for hours altogether. This helps in improving their personality, knowledge, and communication.

Career growth: There is always an opportunity to develop your professional skills and climb the career ladder. You can quickly acquire in-depth knowledge of financial management systems and financial management software once in this field. If you possess this knowledge and great aptitude skills, this field is perfect for you.

Improve interpersonal skills: Doing a course in this field will allow you to build better communication and teamwork skills through developing relationships with your colleagues. 

Higher salary packages: People working in this sector are usually paid very well, whether it is at the entry level or at the management level. Additionally, this is a highly skilled job role that is always in demand, even during recessions.

Diverse career opportunities: Studying financial management opens up a lot of diverse career opportunities. It could be in the private or public sector. Some of the career options include investment banking, entrepreneurship, financial analysis, financial and managerial accounting, and strategic financial management.