Finance Executive Salary: Freshers to Senior-Level Breakdown
Have you ever thought about who makes the decisions about where or how a company wants to invest, save or spend millions? Imagine a finance executive, your future self, strategically influencing businesses with highly effective decisions so they can access the capital they need to grow and thrive!
If finance brings passion to you and strategy comes as naturally as breathing, you’ve come to the right place. As a recent graduate or finance professional seeking a promotion to one of those senior roles, this guide is designed to break down exactly what it means to be a finance executive. We will cover the roles of finance executives, what their responsibilities are, salary options, and the highest-paying jobs available in finance in India. Beyond this, you will have a basic understanding of which companies are hiring, which industries pay the most, and what it takes to become an executive in finance.
Are you ready to explore the intersection of numbers and influence, where the opportunities begin? Let’s begin.
Table Of Content
Who is a Finance Executive?
Finance Executive Salary in India
Top 7 Highest Paying Finance Roles in India
Online MBA Degree Courses from the World’s Top Schools
How will Jaro Education support you?
To Summarize
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a Finance Executive?
Finance Executives are the cornerstone of an organisation’s financial well-being. Talking about the finance executive job description in simple words, they are not limited to maintaining ledgers and Excel spreadsheets; they analyse financial data, budgets, and projections and provide advice to optimise profits for the overall strategic business decisions. Finance Executives typically occupy positions in the following fields:
- Corporate Finance
- Risk Management
- Investment Banking
- Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)
Some professionals are also expected to be responsible for managing financial modelling, forecasting, budgeting, analytical thinking skills, an understanding of business, and written and verbal communication skills. Simply put, Finance Executives are the strategic planners and number gurus that drive every business decision.
Finance Executive Salary in India
There are several factors that determine a finance executive’s salary, including skills, location, department, and company size. These aspects heavily influence executive compensation. Let’s provide you with an overview of salaries based on different criteria:
Top Companies for Finance Executives in India
Given table below shows the list of top companies hiring finance executives with their average salary:
| Company Name | Avg annual salary |
| Bajaj Finserv | ₹1.2 L/yr – ₹5.3 L/yr |
| ITC | ₹4 L/yr – ₹12.7 L/yr |
| HDB Financial Services | ₹1 L/yr – ₹4.7 L/yr |
| PVR Inox | ₹2 L/yr – ₹4.6 L/yr |
| Accenture | ₹1.7 L/yr – ₹8.4 L/yr |
| Bajaj Finance | ₹1 L/yr – ₹4.5 L/yr |
| IDFC FIRST Bank | ₹1 L/yr – ₹4.5 L/yr |
| HDFC Bank | ₹1.1 L/yr – ₹4.8 L/yr |
| Flipkart | ₹2 L/yr – ₹7 L/yr |
| Wipro | ₹2 L/yr – ₹7.8 L/yr |
These figures reflect averages and can vary enormously. For example, those working in major financial hubs and big MNCs tend to be at the higher end of the scale.
Finance Executive Salary based on Experience
From Freshers to Senior Level, let’s break down typical salary ranges based on experience:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary (Per Year) |
| 1 year | ₹1.4 L/yr – ₹6.7 L/yr |
| 2 years | ₹1.6 L/yr – ₹6.8 L/yr |
| 3 years | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7 L/yr |
| 4 years | ₹2 L/yr – ₹7 L/yr |
| 5 years | ₹2 L/yr – ₹7.2 L/yr |
| 6 years | ₹2.2 L/yr – ₹8 L/yr |
| 7 years | ₹2.3 L/yr – ₹8.6 L/yr |
| 8 years | ₹2.5 L/yr – ₹9.1 L/yr |
| 9 years | ₹2.2 L/yr – ₹10.4 L/yr |
Table Reference: Ambition Box
Finance Executive Salaries From Different Industries
| Department | Average Salary (Per Year) |
| Finance & Accounting | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7.4 L/yr |
| Customer Success, Service & Operations | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7.4 L/yr |
| BFSI, Investments & Trading | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7 L/yr |
| Sales & Business Development | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹6.5 L/yr |
| Procurement & Supply Chain | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7.2 L/yr |
| Marketing & Communication | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹6 L/yr |
| Administration & Facilities | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7.3 L/yr |
| Data Science & Analytics | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7.4 L/yr |
| Human Resources | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹6.6 L/yr |
| Consulting | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7 L/yr |
| Engineering – Software & QA | ₹2 L/yr – ₹6.5 L/yr |
| IT & Information Security | ₹2.1 L/yr – ₹5.5 L/yr |
| Food, Beverage & Hospitality | ₹1.9 L/yr – ₹6.4 L/yr |
| Healthcare & Life Sciences | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹6 L/yr |
| Strategic & Top Management | ₹1.8 L/yr – ₹7 L/yr |
Top 7 Highest Paying Finance Roles in India
Here’s where things get exciting. These are the most lucrative, prestigious finance executive jobs, if you’ve got the ambition and aptitude:
1. Chief Risk Officer (CRO) – ₹50 Lakh/year
A Chief Risk Officer is responsible for identifying, assessing, and controlling both internal and external risks to a company’s assets and income potential. They constantly watch the marketplace, regulatory changes, and emerging threats, while developing strategies to minimise risk exposure and ensure business continuity. CROs collaborate with their colleagues at the C-suite level to link the management of risk to the company’s objectives. It is a high-risk/reward job, requiring superior analytical and judgment skills, which is likely why they are often very highly compensated and receive the same esteem as other C-level executives.
2. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – ₹37 Lakh/year
A CFO, as the most senior financial strategist in an organisation, is responsible for managing every aspect of the financial operation, including budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, and regulatory compliance.
The CFO is ultimately accountable for ensuring that organisations get the most value for the resources made available to them. As they work through the decision-making process, how those resources are used and how they can put organizations in a position to grow their business. Other major responsibilities of the CFO’s duties consist of partnerships and investments, as well as analysing mergers and acquisitions.
A CFO needs financial skillsets, and more importantly, leadership, strategic thinking, and vision for the future.
3. Actuary – ₹25–30 Lakh/year
Actuaries are specialists who study uncertain future events, primarily in the theoretical aspects of how they will affect those sectors as they relate to insurance and finance. They estimate and assess uncertainty in the insurance and finance industry to predict risks relating to life insurance, pension, investment and health plans.
Actuaries learn and use Excel, R, and specialised actuarial modelling software. With their unique learning curriculum and precision, their skills are in great demand. Thus, companies are willing to pay high salaries to attract top talent to their consulting organizations, especially multinational corporations.
4. Hedge Fund Manager – ₹8–10 Lakh (entry), ₹25 Lakh+ (experienced)
Hedge Fund Managers are skilled investment professionals, responsible for managing and increasing investors’ money. They are adept at complex investment decisions and use investment practices such as short-selling, arbitrage, and derivatives to optimize returns. The position requires in-depth research, making quick decisions, and thriving in a high-pressure environment.
Experienced Hedge Fund Managers can make multi-crore packages with performance-based bonuses. If you are passionate about the inner workings of the markets and enjoy taking risks, a career in high-stakes finance may be your best option.
5. Private Equity Associate – ₹15–25 Lakh/year
Private Equity Associates serves firms that invest in private companies or buy public companies. They are responsible for analysing financial statements, performing due diligence, evaluating investment opportunities, and supporting the value creation efforts for the companies they are part of after acquisition.
Private Equity associates work alongside their partners and other senior stakeholders to create value. The role offers a combination of analytical thoroughness and the ability to execute deals. And since they are closely involved in multi-crore investment deals, Associates in private equity take home strong compensation and nurture a network that can lead to top-level positions in leading companies.
6. Investment Banker – ₹12–40 Lakh/year
Investment Bankers are the financial engineers of the corporate world—initial public offerings (IPOs), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and fundraising. They counsel businesses and governments on how to optimally use capital markets to achieve their financial goals. The role is challenging, typically involving extreme work hours, tough deadlines, and detailed financial modelling. But with challenges come opportunity: top and high strategic exposure, lucrative bonuses, and the flexibility to advance your career all over the world. If you are analytical, resilient, and persuasive, investment banking offers a distinctive tier of professionalism, with a tremendous financial trajectory.
7. Financial Analyst – ₹3–15 Lakh/year
Financial Analysts are the backbone of any finance team, providing insights and support regarding a business’s financial health by analysing financial data, preparing reports and presentations, tracking key metrics, and aiding in budgeting, forecasting, and other strategic planning. Analysts are usually part of decision-making capacity on financial matters such as investments, cost reductions, and growth options. As analysts grow professionally, they may be able to see themselves moving into senior specialist positions such as finance business partner, FP&A manager, or controller. This is a good entry-level position that offers great progression and financial opportunities.
Online MBA Degree Courses from the World’s Top Schools
Are you ready to start your transformative journey with a 100% Online MBA Program from top Indian institutions? Jaro Education brings online MBA programmes in finance that offer globally recognised credentials, helping you with essential skills. Some of the most popular online Master of Business Administration degrees are designed for professionals and aspiring leaders:
| Degree | University/College | Accreditation/Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Online MBA | Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | NAAC Accreditation |
| Online MBA | Manipal University, Jaipur | NAAC, AICTE, WES, and ICAS Accreditation |
| Online MBA | Symbiosis School For Online And Digital Learning (SSODL) | AICTE Accreditation |
| Online Master of Business Administration | Chandigarh University | NAAC A+ Accreditation |
How will Jaro Education support you?
Jaro Education is India’s leading online higher education and upskilling company with over a decade of experience. If you’re enrolling in any of the above-mentioned online MBA programmes in finance specialisation through Jaro Education, here is how we can support you:
- Dedicated academic support
- Career counselling
- Network-building opportunities
- Doubt Resolution
- Immersive learning experience
Whether you want to switch industries or grow into a strategic role in finance, our online MBAs open doors full of opportunities. Our alumni now work at some of the world’s leading companies — and so can you!
To Summarize
Being a finance executive isn’t just about salary—it’s about influence, insight, and impact on your financial stability, career growth, and future-proofing.
But remember, action is key. Advance your skills in financial modelling, statistics, Excel, Power BI, industry tools and programs. Use data analytics and learn about market trends. Certifications will allow you to have a shortcut into senior excellence, like CFA or FRM, or complete a course through Jaro Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Financial modelling & forecasting
- Advanced Excel & Power BI
- Budgeting and variance analysis
- Risk Management Tools
- Knowledge of ERP systems like SAP and Oracle
