A finish for acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber includes an ester compound having at least three ester groups in its molecule and a silicone compound, wherein the silicone compound constitutes 10 to 50 weight percent of the whole of the nonvolatile matter of the finish. A method of manufacturing carbon fiber includes the processes of applying the finish for acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber to acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber; oxidative-stabilizing the finish-applied acrylic fiber in an oxidizing atmosphere at 200 to 300 deg. C. to convert the fiber into oxidized fiber; and carbonizing the oxidized fiber in an inert atmosphere at 200 to 3000 deg. C.