en

Services

The UK's leading employers trust us to deliver fast, efficient talent solutions that are tailored to their exact requirements. Browse our range of bespoke services and resources.

Read more
Jobs

Let our industry specialists listen to your aspirations and present your story to the most esteemed organisations in the UK, as we collaborate to write the next chapter of your successful career.

See all jobs
Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your career ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more
Services

The UK's leading employers trust us to deliver fast, efficient talent solutions that are tailored to their exact requirements. Browse our range of bespoke services and resources.

Read more
About Robert Walters UK

Since our establishment in 1985, our belief remains the same: Building strong relationships with people is vital in a successful partnership.

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters UK

Learn more

The life of a CFO

If you have a finance background and are already working in accountancy and finance, your ultimate goal may well be to become a chief financial officer (CFO). But what does a CFO do and what skills and experience do you need to become one?

CFOs oversee all the financial operations of an organisation, including accounting and financial reporting. They manage all aspects of financial matters and decision making.

CFOs oversee all the financial operations of an organisation, including accounting, financial reporting. They manage all aspects of financial matters and decision making.

 

What does a Chief Financial Officer do?

The Chief Financial Officer directs a company's financial goals, objectives, and budgets. If you work as a CFO, you oversee the investment of funds held by the company and assess and manage associated risks. You also supervise cash management activities, execute capital-raising strategies to support a firm's expansion, and deal with mergers and acquisitions. Most CFOs are also responsible for managing the corporate investments and will sit on the board.

If you work as a Chief Financial Officer in a smaller company, you may be expected to carry out a range of accounting tasks, while executives at larger corporations typically review reports and data from various divisions within their companies.

Education and training needed

As with all ‘Chief’-level executive positions, you will need several years of experience at a senior management level as well as a accountancy qualification (preferably public accounting), finance, economics, business or a related subject. Many CFOs begin their careers as finance professionals, accountants or managers of small divisions, and work their way up to senior positions within a company.

The number of years of management experience you will need depends on the size of the company and the extent of the duties involved. Many Chief Financial Officers have an MBA, a Masters or another type of advanced degree.

Skills needed

If you are going to become a successful CFO, you need outstanding finance skills, but you need a lot more than that as well. You must have the ability to make smart and strategic decisions on behalf of the organisation, and you should be able to look holistically at the company and understand what it needs.

Importantly, you should also be able to translate financial data into useful information for those across all levels of an organisation. Leadership, interpersonal and communication skills are also important in such a high level position.

Share this article

Useful links

Sign up for job alerts
Salary Survey
Career Advice
Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Related content

View All
5 expert tips for your next accounting job interview

Are you looking to make your next move in the accountancy industry? We’ve asked our accountancy and finance recruitment experts for their top tips to help you shine in your next interview… If you’re looking to land your next accountancy role, preparing for your next interview can be a daunting proce

Read More
4 important interim trends for CFOs

The modern CFO is increasingly involved in the hiring process. Hence, it is important to know what is going on in the operational interim management market. We set out the most important trends. Trend 1: The backfill method A trend we are seeing a lot of now, is the so-called backfill method. Tradit

Read More
6 expert tips for your next finance interview

Whether you’ve got years of experience or are just starting out, interviews can be an intimidating prospect. If you’re looking to land your next finance role, our expert tips could help… Despite uncertainty rippling through the global financial services sector — fuelled, in part, by growing concerns

Read More

I'm Robert Walters Are you?

Come join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.