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The Roles of the CFO - Past, Present and Future
accounting pillar
Expectations associated with many C-level executives are related to their functional responsibilities. For example, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has direct authority and responsibility over the informational needs of the organization. Similar to the CIO, the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) oversees the technical aspects of the organization while the Chief Marketing Officer provides leadership regarding marketing efforts and the results that those efforts have in promoting the organization’s outputs – all having both authority and responsibility. However, the expectations associated with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) may not all be directly associated with their functional responsibilities – in some areas, they may have responsibility but little, if any, authority.

Brian Higgins

Straight Talk is Tough…but the Only Way
leadership pillar
Since the beginning of the new millennium, it seems that at least once a week something appears in the news that another person or organization has been found to have lied about their credentials, the finances of their company, or committed a crime that resulted from some type of dishonest behavior. It makes you wonder why we do not see more examples of people stepping up and exposing the crimes or dishonest behavior while the acts are being committed and not waiting until after the behavior is discovered. But very quickly I remember why prevention does not happen!

Bob Phillips

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Governance & Controls – structure and controls.

Transaction Recording – systems, transaction processing and closing the books.

Reporting - efficient, timely and accurate information for decision making and meeting compliance requirements.

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Accounting

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Business Planning - provide the financial roadmap for the company with supporting analytics.

Financial Forecasting - integrate the company’s current performance relative to budget with the real-time business environment.

Investment Analysis - the framework to analyze new opportunities as they present themselves.

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Finance

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Cash Management - the discipline to ensure cash is available to operate the business normally.

Funding - Planning for and raising funds to meet the needs of the business.

Risk Management – Identification and mitigation of key business risks.

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Treasury

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Self-Awareness - Internal.

Team Building - External.

Strategy & Culture – Motivate people to follow you.

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Leadership

Four Pillars of Executive Expertise

CFO.University is built around the Four Pillars of CFO Success. These Pillars are supported with Core Competencies. Our framework allows you to master your role as a senior financial officer. The Four Pillars are made up of:


Accounting – Governance & Controls, Transaction Recording and Reporting

Finance – Business Planning, Financial Forecasting and Investment Analysis

Treasury – Cash Management, Funding (Capital Raising) and Risk Management

Leadership – Self Awareness, Team Building and Strategy & Culture

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