Guide to CFO Success

Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
CFO Advisors xix
Chapter 1: Chief Financial Officer 1
What Is a Chief FInancial Officer? 2
Personal Attributes of a Successful CFO 4
Skills Required for CFO Success 6
CFOs Are Different 8
Work-Life Balance 11
The Other Important Thing to Balance 12
Career versus Employer: A Question of Ethics? 13
Focusing on Your Career Helps Your Employer 15
Conclusion 16
Part One Successful Career Strategies for the CFO 19
Chapter 2: Planning for Career Success 21
Playing to Your Strengths 23
Personal Brand 25
Networking 27
Social Media for the CFO 31
Skills Development 36
Career Coaching 38
Conclusion 39
Chapter 3: Career Danger Signs 41
Career Danger Signs 42
Conclusion 48
Chapter 4: Should a CFO Moonlight? 51
Perception Is Reality 52
Acceptable Moonlighting Methods 52
Conclusion 58
Chapter 5: The CFO in Transition 61
The Grieving Process 62
Welcome to Your New Job 63
Ideal State 64
Catching Up From Behind 65
How CFOs Find Their Next Opportunity 69
Accepting Your Next CFO Role 69
Negotiating Your Next Employment Contract 71
Conclusion 78
Chapter 6: Starting Your New CFO Role 81
Onboarding 82
Onboarding Experiences of Real CFOs 87
Conclusion 95
Part Two Successful Employment Strategies for the CFO97
Chapter 7: Planning for Success at Your Employer 99
The Case for a Formal Plan for Success 100
Executive Coaching for the CFO 110
Conclusion 112
Chapter 8: Relationship Management for the CFO 113
The CFO Relationship Map 114
Elements of Relationship Management 115
Examples of Successful CFO Relationship Management 118
Examples of Failed CFO Relationships 120
Why Do CFO Relationships Fail? 121
Conclusion 123
Chapter 9: Relationships with the CEO, Board, and Investors125
The CEO Relationship 125
Relationship with Your Board of Directors 131
Relationship with Investors 141
Other Situations 146
Conclusion 149
Chapter 10: Relationships with Fellow Executives 151
Human Resources 152
Information Technology 156
Marketing 160
Sales 165
Production 168
Conclusion 172
Chapter 11: Relationships with Outsiders 175
Auditors 176
Lenders 178
Lawyers 182
Other Outside Relationships 184
Conclusion 185
Chapter 12: Building and Developing Your Finance Team187
Elements of a Great Finance Team 188
The Cost of a Great Finance Team 191
Plan for a Great Finance Team 192
Building Your Finance Team 197
Superstars 199
Develop Your Team 201
Methods to Develop Your Team 204
CFO Succession 206
How Do I Become a CFO? 207
Your First CFO Role 208
Conclusion 209
Bibliography 211
About the Author 213
Index 215