Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

What is a chief financial officer?

A chief financial officer (CFO) sits on the executive board and advises the CEO on financial activities. They are considered ‘financial business partners’, and are tasked with managing commercial projects, cash flow, financial planning and with reducing risk.

Chief financial officer job description and responsibilities

The CFO job description features a wide range of weighty financial responsibilities which fit the seniority of the role. CFOs work alongside both C-suite executives and junior finance professionals as they guide and shape the business’ financial activities.

Typical daily duties include:

Managing financial control, risk and group reporting

Developing financial strategy

Reviewing, condensing and presenting business finance reports

Leading on the annual financial planning cycle

Monitoring the business’ financial plans

Maintaining compliance

Managing group tax planning and accounting

Budgeting

Maintaining investor relations

Management of investment and fundraising

Cash flow management

Fundraising

Banking covenants

Management of investment

Mergers and acquisitions

Chief financial officer job qualifications, skills and experience

CFO’s should have a strong academic background, with a BA or MA in one of the following subjects:

Finance

Accounting

Economics

Mathematics

Engineering

Executives are expected to have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in finance and to have considerable experience in a financial management position. They should be a qualified accountant (ACA or equivalent) and may find it useful to have strong niche industry experience and an MBA.

CFOs should aim to develop an understanding of robotics and automation, and how they can be integrated with existing systems and processes.

To be a good fit for the position, a CFO is expected to have some of the following personal qualities:

Commercial mindset

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication skills

Business acumen

Entrepreneurial spirit

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Salary for Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

132500 - 220500

25th percentile

132500

The candidate has little or no prior experience in the position and is still developing relevant skills.

50th percentile

176500

The candidate has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th percentile

220500

The candidate has above-average experience, has most or all the necessary skills, and may have specialised qualifications.

Projected salaries for related positions

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Financial Services

133250

177500

225000

Group Finance Director

106750

131500

162500

Finance Director - Financial Services

99000

118750

149000

Finance Director

89750

109500

138000

Shared Service Centre Director

84250

112500

133000

Group Financial Controller

76250

85000

106500

Financial Controller - Financial Services

70000

89250

100750

Financial Controller

63000

76750

92500

Fund Controller - Financial Services

70000

77250

92000

Senior Finance Business Partner

61500

72750

82000

Finance Business Partner - Financial Services

52500

57250

71750

Finance Business Partner

54500

59750

66250

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Your guide to negotiating salaries and offers

Our starting salary projections come from a detailed, multistep process that ensures our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They’re based on real compensation data for job seekers our recruiters have matched with companies across the country, in addition to 350,000 third-party vacancies data from Textkernel for independent validation.

The Salary Guide From Robert Half is the original. We’ve been publishing salary forecasts since 1950, and our guide has served as a trusted source for employers, job seekers, industry associations, government and educational institutions, and national and local media.