The CFO is a member of the senior management team, usually on the main board of a company and assumes a strategic role in influencing the future direction of an organisation. They provide financial leadership and help to align business and finance strategy to grow the organisation and often drive change management or business improvement initiatives within the organisation. CFOs should have an understanding of how to link the numbers and strategy into a compelling story that their stakeholders would find attractive.
CFOs are responsible for ensuring the finance operation is efficient and effective. They have primary responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and controlling all financial-related activities of the business, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting and negotiations. The ability to build a finance team and set professional norms, in the absence of mature processes and procedures is vital.
These professionals must also perform effective risk management and ensure compliance with financial regulations. Increasingly they must have a greater focus on sustainability matters. The CFO must also build and maintain strong relationships with lenders, banks, investors and other financial institutions.
