Count Kankrin an eminent Russian economist, who held the office of the minister of finance for 20 years, clearly formulated the credo of the financial profession of prerevolutionary Russia: “Protection of finances is the protection of a country and its prosperity”. The financial community of the Russian Empire not only had a privileged position in the society but also implemented the nobility functions to protect financial interests of the country and its property. In spite of the fact that the Soviet regime didn’t ideologically accept commercial operations People's Commissar for Finance of the RSFSR was one of the first institutions established in soviet times. The Soviet experts dealt with planning and distribution economy. Financial transactions were carried out in a special way which resulted in a practically new branch of scientific knowledge.
In 1992 on the basis of the RSFSR Ministry of Finance the Ministry of Economy and Finance was established, in 1993 it was split into two independent offices, i.e. the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. New political regime gave a new incentive of the Russian financial profession development. Market economy model, integration into international community and development of the banking sector made financiers demanded on labor market. Today, according to the Federal State Statistic Service financial directors have the highest salaries in Russia.
Development prospects of RCFD are very optimistic. The international economical crisis showed that a financial expert plays an important role not only in a large corporation or a governmental structure, but in a small company too. The sphere of education also has potential too: such Russian universities as New Economic School (NES), Russian Academy of Economics named after G.V.Plekhanov, Higher School of Economics and Moscow State University are recognized abroad. The innovation-oriented government policy is also important when it comes to the development of demand for a profession. Attraction of foreign investors, organization of economic forums and international conferences are vital too.
Russian professional community of financial employees is a separate expert environment with its own traditions that have been developed for 200 years. It has its own internal rules, ethics and culture formed in the course of various historical periods. It consists of highly educated and remarkably literate people having an influence in the society and being deservedly respected.