Chief financial officer job description

Your guide to finding and hiring the right person for your organization

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Job description

What does a chief financial officer do?

A chief financial officer (CFO) is a senior executive who is responsible for managing and leading the financial initiatives of a company. They often work in tandem with other C-suite executives, including a chief executive officer (CEO) and chief operations officer (COO). The CFO is an integral part of any organization, as they are accountable for the financial successes or failures of the company. Among their many responsibilities, they must decide where to invest company funds, oversee the capital structure and optimal financing options for the company, provide strategic direction, as well as track cash flow, manage the accounting and finance departments, and ensure the company’s financial reports are accurate. Given the financial acumen required for this position, many chief financial officers have a degree in finance and are often certified public accountants (CPA).

To find the best suited candidate for this key role, start with a solid CFO job description. Use the template below and tailor it to your needs.

How to write a chief financial officer job description

Attract and hire the best candidates with an effective chief financial officer (CFO) job description. Your post should be detailed yet brief and to the point. Much of the description should be in list form for easy readability. It should contain an introduction to your company and its culture, while clearly spelling out expectations for the role.

A strong job post will convey how the CFO will contribute from the date of hire and how those efforts will have an impact over time. Remember: job seekers will be comparing many potential positions, so you’ll want yours to stand out.

Chief financial officer job description template

This sample job post will introduce your organization’s culture and values, while helping potential candidates understand how they’ll contribute from Day 1.

Sample chief financial officer job description

[Company X] is growing, and we need a leader who can guide the financial systems that empower us. We’re searching for an experienced chief financial officer to join our team of high-performing professionals and keep our finances positioned for continued success. The CFO will have a day-to-day, ongoing impact on company operations, helping us to analyze, strategize, and grow our financial position. This seasoned strategist not only will understand current accounting practices and trends, but also will have experience raising capital and adapting to change, whether it’s through growth or downsizing. As a member of senior management, the CFO will be comfortable in a leadership role that requires clear and effective communication skills.

Objectives of this role

Take responsibility (either directly or via staff) for all cash management, investments, insurance, budgeting, and financial reporting, and help drive the company’s financial strategy and hiring needs
Coordinate development of annual operating, capital, and program budgets, as well as reporting for the same
Ensure cash flow is compatible with operations by overseeing day-to-day accounting, recording, reporting, and internal-control activities of the organization
Develop and implement best practices and tools to ensure a well-controlled yet flexible organization that has strong fiscal management, project coordination, cross-team communications, and workflows
Comply with national and local financial requirements by studying existing and new legislation and taking appropriate action

Responsibilities

Work with senior managers to efficiently develop budget proposals, provide access to project finance information, and ensure contract/grant compliance and reporting
Research revenue opportunities and economic trends, analyze internal operations, and identify areas for cost reduction and process enhancement
Perform risk management through analysis of company liabilities and investments, and evaluate and manage capital structure and fundraising initiatives
Oversee HR operations by coordinating with external service providers (ex: payroll, benefits, recruitment) and internal staff responsible for other aspects of HR
Monitor business performance with tracking tools, establish corrective measures as needed, and prepare detailed reports for earnings calls, management team, and rest of company
Manage finance personnel and oversee financial IT systems, ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory entities (ex: Financial Accounting Standards Board, Internal Revenue Service, state attorneys general)

Required skills and qualifications

Five or more years of experience in executive leadership roles
Excellent leadership skills, with steadfast resolve and personal integrity
Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills
Understanding of advanced accounting, regulatory issues, and tax planning
Working knowledge of how to raise capital outside traditional lines of credit

Preferred skills and qualifications

Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in accounting, business accounting, or finance
International finance experience
Experience in mergers and acquisitions and investor relations
Executive experience with SaaS business models and their associated revenue recognition
Professional certification (ex: Certified Public Accountant)