A financial manager is responsible for setting the budget, projecting cash flows, and determining how to invest and finance a project (Boundless, 2014). They are responsible for knowing how much the product or project will cost and how much revenue it is expected to earn so that the company can invest the appropriate amount in the product or project (Boundless, 2014). Financial managers take on various roles and positions while still performing their primary job responsibilities. Financial managers typically start by earning a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, economics, or finance. Many also earn a master's degree in business administration, economics or finance. There are usually certifications and licenses recommended or required in the financial management field (Money.usnews.com, 2014). Financial managers usually start in entry-level positions at large organizations or banks. Those who excel move up in the company and become managers where they take on greater responsibilities and financial oversight duties (Money.usnews.com, 2014). While holding a management position, financial managers must be very flexible and must be able to easily adapt to the rapid and frequent changes that may occur in the workplace. Financial managers must have the ability to conform to the ways of the company they work for and find a way to create value for their employees. In 2004, the average workweek of a finance executive was 52 hours and rising, and nearly two-thirds of respondents said the strain from the job was affecting their health (Witzel, 2006). It is important that financial managers are not overworked, because at some point they become so exhausted from working and thinking... middle of paper... curating financial data for the future. Without financial data for the future, financial managers use data analytics and educated guesses to approximate value and costs (Boundless, 2014). Financial managers must establish the cost of capital, the cost of money over time, in order for their company to determine the cost of financing projects (Boundless, 2014). In performing all of these roles, financial managers must also ensure that the company has sufficient cash to pay upcoming financial obligations without hoarding resources that could otherwise be invested (F2.washington.edu, 2014). The roles of financial managers are long and complex and require many hours of work on a daily basis. Not only must financial managers perform their daily roles, but they must also be prepared for random assignments or tasks that can arise in a company at any time.