Finance Modeler in a dead-end job

Hi, first post to this forum. I am looking for a bit of job search/career advice. I have a degree in Econ and have been working for about 10 years post college. I've worked in a bunch of industries but for the last 7 or so it has been progressive finance experience. I started out doing ad hoc financial analysis for a small insurance company, but the last 5 years has been financial modeling--first a senior analyst and now a finance/pricing manager. The manager title is slightly misleading as no one really reports to me, I am more of a project manager.

The financial modeling has been intense at times and I've learned a ton about finance and accounting. I basically forecast revenue and build the financials for small businesses that our company creates for clients. There is a pricing component too as the businesses are sold; I don't do the selling, I merely price out the services these businesses are offering. Sometimes the pricing component is the most difficult part. I find building P&Ls and such pretty easy; I'm also an Excel guru and have to be for the job.

Nevertheless my company does not provide any raises (like, ever) and they offer no internal promotions anymore (I was promoted once). And so after five years, I'm ready to get out because I actually think staying is now hurting my career. I've talked to recruiters and they've been concerned that I am a "manager" and make as little as I do and that is a turnoff to other companies (i.e. they question how important my job really is).

So I guess at this point I don't know where to go with my career. I'm starting to think going to management in another company is probably out of the question because of my salary implications and the fact that no one really reports to me, and I'm starting to think I may need to go back to a Senior Financial Analyst with a good company and hope for career growth. I always end up though with companies that don't offer such a thing.

However I'm also kind of snobbish about finance as I don't want to end up doing month-end close accounting, I want to work on the corporate strategy side. I'm interested to hear what folks think as far as what title and/or job should I be trying to find, and whether or not my financial modeling experience would be good for corporate strategy. And if it isn't good for corporate strategy, any suggestions for positions to look for or certifications to try and get would be very helpful.

Thank you for any help.

 

Change your job title on your resume. instead of saying you're the manager, just go back to your pre promotion title of senior financial analyst. Or change your job title to be something without manager in it. If that's the thing that's really holding you back that's what I would do.

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