Chief financial officer (CFO) job description
/The chief financial officer position is accountable for multiple financial and administrative areas within a company. This includes the development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results. Principal accountabilities are as follows:
Planning
Assist in formulating the company's future direction and supporting tactical initiatives
Monitor and direct the implementation of strategic business plans
Develop financial and tax strategies
Manage the capital request and budgeting processes
Develop performance measures and monitoring systems that support the company's strategic direction
Related AccountingTools Courses
Operations
Participate in key decisions as a member of the executive management team
Maintain in-depth relations with all members of the management team
Manage the accounting, human resources, investor relations, legal, tax, and treasury departments
Oversee the financial operations of subsidiary companies and foreign operations
Manage any third parties to which accounting or finance functions have been outsourced
Oversee the company's transaction processing systems
Implement operational best practices
Oversee employee benefit plans, with particular emphasis on maximizing a cost-effective benefits package
Supervise acquisition due diligence and negotiate acquisitions
Financial Information
Oversee the issuance of financial information
Personally review and approve all Form 8-K, 10-K, and 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (if the company is publicly held)
Report financial results to the board of directors
Risk Management
Understand and mitigate key elements of the company's risk profile
Monitor all open legal issues involving the company, and legal issues affecting the industry
Construct and monitor reliable control systems
Maintain appropriate insurance coverage
Ensure that the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
Ensure that record keeping meets the requirements of auditors and government agencies
Report risk issues to the audit committee of the board of directors
Maintain relations with external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations
Funding
Monitor cash balances and cash forecasts
Arrange for debt financing and equity financing
Invest funds
Invest pension funds
Third Parties
Participate in conference calls with the investment community
Maintain banking relationships
Represent the company with investment bankers and investors
Desired Qualifications
The candidate chief financial officer should have a master's degree in accounting or business administration, or equivalent business experience and 10+ years of progressively responsible experience for a major company or division of a large corporation. Should have experience in partnering with an executive team, and have a high level of written and oral communication skills. Preference will be given to candidates with an MBA in Finance and the Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designations.
Additional Qualifications
If the company has extensive overseas operations, it may also be necessary to include a language requirement. If the company is a small one, then the chief financial officer may also take on the role of the controller. If the company operates in an industry that requires specialized accounting knowledge, then include an industry experience requirement of at least two years.
Working Conditions
Will work in an office environment. Extensive travel to company subsidiaries will be necessary, as well as for investor road shows.
Supervises
Controller, Tax Manager, Human Resources Manager, Investor Relations Officer