CFO

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior executive responsible for managing the financial actions of an organization. The CFO helps shape strategy through financial planning and analysis, oversees the preparation of financial statements, and ensures the integrity of accounting, reporting, and controls. The position typically reports to the chief executive officer and, in many companies, serves on the executive leadership team and the board’s audit committee, with direct oversight of finance-related functions such as accounting, treasury, tax, and risk management.

Core responsibilities include developing and monitoring the company’s budget and long-range financial plan, steering financial reporting in accordance with applicable standards (such as GAAP or IFRS), managing liquidity and capital structure, and overseeing treasury activities, tax strategy, and regulatory compliance. The CFO also leads risk management, internal controls, and enterprise-wide financial risk assessment, and often plays a key role in corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, and strategic partnerships. In many organizations, the CFO works closely with other senior leaders to align financial resources with strategic goals.

Qualifications typically include a degree in accounting, finance, or economics, with professional credentials such as a CPA, CMA, or CFA, and often an MBA. A track record in finance roles (controller, treasurer, FP&A, or finance leadership) and strong skills in leadership, communication, and strategic thinking are common prerequisites.

Variations exist across organizations: startups may designate finance leaders as finance directors or assume broader operational duties, while large firms may separate treasury, tax, and risk into distinct units. The CFO’s role continues to evolve with greater emphasis on data analytics, technology, and ESG reporting.