what is a CFO?

A CFO is an executive who manages a company's finances. In this upper management role, you're in charge of almost every financial decision a business makes. In addition to keeping track of expenses and profits, you’ll create the company's entire financial strategy. The choices you make can affect everything from product creation to marketing.

understanding your position at work

CFO is a  high-level job position. As the highest-ranking financial employee, you’ll report directly to the chief executive officer (CEO). Depending on how your company structures upper management, you might also spend a lot of time interacting with a board of directors.

Being a CFO typically means that you manage an entire team of employees. Accountants, financial managers, and other people in the financial department all report to you. If you enjoy taking on a leadership role, this is the job for you.

Would working as a CFO suit your financial capabilities and business acumen? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a CFO role.

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average CFO salary

There is a wide range in CFO salaries between different industries and employers. According to Salary.com, CFOs earn an average of around $434,000 per year. On the lower end, some CFOs earn about $80,000 a year, but others earn a lot more. The top 25% of CFOs earn more than $557,000 per year, and some may earn upwards of $700,000.

factors that impact CFO salary

The main factor that affects your salary will be the size of the business you're managing. CFOs at small startups often make far less than CFOs at a Fortune 500 company. Those with a lot of responsibilities who are managing vast sums of money earn high salaries. CFOs also earn more when they work in fields like manufacturing, science, and technology.

CFO job benefits

CFOs also earn a lot of valuable benefits on top of their salary. This job often provides bonuses based on how the company performs. During a good year, your bonus could be more than six figures. Other lucrative benefits available to CFOs include:

  • retirement accounts
  • healthcare
  • pensions
  • vacation time
  • stock options

Would you like to know what a CFO earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a CFO? Then check out this CFO salary page and find out all about the salary of a CFO in the USA.

Male looking up in an office
Male looking up in an office
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types of CFO

Here are some of the common types of CFO positions that employers hire.

  • startup CFOs: These CFOs work for small companies just starting. They mainly focus on fundraising and may choose to get paid in stock options.
  • growth CFOs: These are the most common types of CFOs. They work at established, mid-sized companies and help them further expand the company.
  • turnaround CFOs: These are CFOs that help struggling companies with things like filing for bankruptcy or making drastic budget cuts.
  • acquisition CFOs: These CFOs help companies through mergers and sales. They specialize in handling transactions and easing transitions.
  • public company CFOs: These CFOs are the high-earners who handle massive businesses and are responsible for vast sums of money.
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working as a CFO

What's it like to be a CFO? The day-to-day job can vary a little, but you're always focusing on helping a company achieve its financial goals. This in-depth guide will help you learn more about working as a CFO.
 

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CFO skills and education

Almost all CFO positions will require at minimum a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or another related field. You'll need to show that you have the right education for the tasks ahead of you. It's also common for CFO jobs with bigger companies to require a master's degree. The most popular option is a Master's of Business Administration (MBA). This degree provides you with a broad range of analytical, financial, and marketing fundamentals.

To get a good CFO job, experience is another critical component. Most companies want a CFO who has worked in leadership roles before or has first-hand experience working with a business's finances. People often get experience by being an accountant or a financial manager before transitioning to a CFO position. Many companies will ask for potential CFO candidates to have at least 10 years of experience.

skills and competencies

To do well as a CFO, you need these essential skills:

  • interpersonal communication: CFOs need to be persuasive, effective communicators who share information accurately and clearly with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • leadership: The best CFOs are comfortable taking on a leadership position. You’ll use your leadership qualities as you delegate to others and motivate the team to get the best work out of them.
  • proficiency in accounting: Being proficient in creating and managing budgets is essential to forecasting your company’s financial future. You’ll also use your financial acumen as you analyze data trends, develop strategies, and make decisions.
  • business acumen: It's crucial to understand how a business works. You’ll often use your expertise in business economic trends as you create budgets and develop strategies to reach financial goals.
  • ethical judgment: When creating financial reports and strategies, ethical decision-making is as important as your understanding of accounting principles. You’ll also need to stay up to date on laws and regulations to ensure your company complies with financial legal requirements. 
  • strategic thinking: For a CFO, strategic thinking comes into play daily as you seek to achieve long-term financial goals. You’ll think strategically as you analyze KPIs, negotiate with vendors, identify ways to lower risk, and more.
  • crisis management: When inevitable crises or issues develop, you’ll use your management skills to find solutions. It’s also important to be flexible to changing business landscapes as you manage unexpected challenges.
womale looking at her file
womale looking at her file
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FAQs about working as a CFO

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about CFOs.

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