How to become financial director: diplomas, experience, key skills

Move to a post Financial Director may sometimes impress, but any experience, even atypical, deserves to be valued provided that it has access to adequate training and a coherent path. Building on his human skills, understanding expectations as the Bac+5 and to look at the various possible ways in which this challenge can be met and to give scope to his professional commitment, no matter where he starts.

How to become a financial director: minimum degree, career path and career keys

The position of Financial Director attracts by its strategic dimension and the level of remuneration, but access remains selective: it is better to have a +5 degree in finance, accounting or management, and a significant experience. For those who are considering this role, several routes exist, adapted to different profiles and ambitions. So, where to start?

The degree required to qualify for the DAF function is generally a Bac+5 – Master's degree (Accounting, Control, Audit), DSCG (Diplôme Supérieur de Comptabilité et Gestion), diploma in business school or master's degree in finance. In practice, one must have 5 years of experience in finance or management, sometimes more depending on responsibilities (up to 8-12 years for large structures). Pay remains attractive: between 110 000 € 220,000 € Gross per year by sector, region and structure.

The course can start at university, in business school or through continuing training, and is regularly built up gradually: accountant → management controller → manager → DAF. Some testimonials suggest that the profession remains accessible even without a large DSCG school or a Master CSF allow a sometimes faster rise, provided that it highlights its managerial and digital skills.

The tasks of the Financial Director

The function of DAF goes far beyond simple account management. It involves a central role in strategy, cash flow control and piloting various teams. In practice, the DAF ensures the financial sustainability of the company.

What responsibilities on a daily basis?

Supervising cash flow, consolidating budgets and anticipating risks are part of the daily life of the Chief Financial Officer. Some have managed reporting in real time during the health crisis, to protect profitability and reassure investors, a common anecdote in the sector.

Here is what we can remember about core missions:

• Financial reporting and regular liaison with investors
• Optimization of cash flow, negotiation with banks
• Budget preparation and consolidation
• Team management, change support

Control of BI tools (Power BI, ERP) and regulatory compliance (IFRS, CSDD) become virtually essential for each mission.

Problems, solutions and added value

DAF must anticipate unforeseen events and accompany growth. It acts as a mediator between the Directorate-General and the technical teams, mobilising around shared financial objectives. The job requires a certain agility and sometimes a bit of audacity, whether the course is classic or atypical. A trainer recently mentioned that agility is becoming decisive in uncertain markets.

Finally, the share of women is increasing and reaching 24% in 2023 (source Insee).

Training and diplomas for this position

Choosing suitable training often remains a question mark, Between prestigious business schools, university masters or alternance training, each offers a different path, but Bac+5 remains a constant.

Comparison of the main academic paths

The DSCG, the Master CCA or the Executive MBA are generally the most recognized degrees. However, some DAFs also advance through university or alternance and continuing training. To forge an idea of ROI, it is best to consider synthetic data:

The alternation is accessible up to 24 months on the vast majority of Masters: it is an effective option to integrate the company, reduce costs, and add a field experience to the CV.

Minimum diploma and alternatives

It is better to aim for a Bac+5, since this level is required in more than 80% of job vacancies analysed. The DSCG and the Master CSF are frequently selected for their technical dimension. An anecdote that some professionals relate: an alumni from the University of Lyon was recruited into SMEs mainly thanks to the recognition of the Master CCA, without having attended a large school.

Two or three complementary certifications (DEC, CPA, ESG, IA) can be integrated to stay at the forefront of regulation and meet market expectations.

Career paths and experiences required

It remains rare to get a DAF position immediately after school. It's a progressive path, where each stage counts and where experience, even when it's out of date, finds its place.

Standard diagram of shift to post

In general, after baccalaureate+5, you start as an accountant, financial analyst or management controller. There has been a steady increase in:

• Junior Accountant or Auditor
• Management Controller or Analyst
• Financial Manager / Deputy DAF
• DAF after 5 to 12 years of experience according to the structure

5 years minimum experience are generally required for a DAF position in SMEs; in a large company, it is recommended in some cases 8-12 years combined with a solid managerial experience.

Alternatives, internships and retraining: the real springboard

Long alternance or internships (up to 24 months) promote responsibility-taking and extension of the network. In reconversion, several DAFs evoke a successful passage through MBA or distance training, reconciling responsibilities and personal life. Is it really effective? The example of Sophie, Senior Accountant, having made an Executive MBA while working to access a technological SME, clearly illustrates that conversion can work.

Key competencies of the modern DAF

The expected range of skills encompasses much more than the mastery of accounting, especially with the digitization of the sector.

Hard skills and soft skills to master

A DAF must be able to use accounting (IFRS, taxation), automated reporting (Excel, ERP, BI), risk management and control negotiation. Yet soft skills are now essential: leadership, adaptability, communication, English business.

Other points to be mentioned:

• Financial analysis and effective modelling
• Advanced control of dashboards (Power BI, Tableau)
• Mastery of digital tools and AI (ERP, BI, data analytics)
• Transversal management, listening, crisis management

Digitalisation accelerates the evolution of the profession: the offers mention theIA and theESG in near 35-45% descriptions for 2025-2026, a statistic regularly taken up by professionals in the sector.

Regulation, ESG and international openness

The DAF ensures compliance with the standards (IFRS, CSDD), but must also lead the ESG strategy (Environment, Social, Governance) and encourage international openness. A training specialist pointed out that « DAF stands out for its ability to anticipate digital transition and the integration of extra-financial issues », phrase frequently relayed in professional exchanges.

In order to effectively prepare your transition to a position of Financial Director, it may be useful to draw on a variety of paths, such as those proposed by the art director training Studi.

In order to build a strong career and target strategic positions such as the Financial Director, it is essential to learn about the prospects of remuneration in the financial sector, as detailed in this report. banker's salary: comprehensive overview and tips for changing your remuneration.

In order to build a strong financial career, it is essential to choose the right direction from the outset, as outlined in this guide on which bac choose to become accountant in 2026.

In other words, more 200 partner universities today offer internships or exchanges abroad, a real asset for the profile.

FAQ and useful resources to become Chief Financial Officer

Many candidates share their questions about the minimum degree, the expected experience or alternatives without a large school. Here is a selection of the most frequent questions, with links and tools that can be used immediately.

Minimum degree: Bac+5 or Bac+4?

Bac+5 remains the standard (DSCG, Master CCA, recognized schools), but some positions tolerate a solid experience with Bac+4. This concerns less than almost 20 per cent offers. You can test your options with a Training comparison.

How many years of experience?

Minimum 5 years in SMEs or ETI, sometimes 8-12 years in a larger structure, including 3-5 years in management. Why this level of demand? Because piloting a team, securing budgets and meeting standards impose setbacks and maturity elements often mentioned in many field returns.

Can we become DAF without going through a big school?

Yes, thanks to the CCA master's degree, the DSCG or continuing training, especially in SMEs. Large schools (HEC, ESSEC) speed up the process via their network, but the field experience combined with an increase in technical skills remains a credible option.

Digital and digital skills?

Main tools: ERP (SAP, Oracle), BI (Power BI, Tableau), Advanced Excel, IA for reporting. In practice, positions in 2026 almost systematically cite the mastery of data tools.

Starting wages and changes?

In SMEs, DAF often starts about 65,000 and 75,000 €/year, with rapid increases depending on the expertise : 110,000 to 220,000 €/year on average in the private sector. For the most curious, a pay simulator is available on HelloWork.

Practical resources and networks

To complete your search, you can access PDF guides, salary simulators, training directories and job portals:

• Diploma Comparer
• Wage simulation via HelloWork
• Master Finance brochure on the INSEEC website
• Job vacancies portal DAF on Jobteaser

In addition, to expand your network, it is best to join LinkedIn groups, alumni associations or specialized coaching programs.

Inspiring Testimonials and Pathways

Some self-made DAFs explain having built their trajectory through the terrain, a DSCG and the previous day on the AI, sometimes without going through a large school. Atypical profiles are valued in digital transformation, especially in startups or SMEs that are experiencing strong growth.

To be retained

While the course remains challenging, it remains accessible: Bac+5, progressive experience and increased digital skills. We note that each profile can find its coaching place and network usually make the difference.

To go further:

• FAQ segmented by profile (students, senior accountants, controllers)
• Progress Simulator career
• Downloadable checklist: diploma stages + experience
• Related trades gallery (controller, auditor, financial manager)

Updated on 23 March 2026