Last April when I did the keynote at the Prophix User conference, I said this ...
Today, the trend is towards Operational CFOs who hold an MBA and bring a broader education & finance perspective, along with a strong ability to synthesize information. CEOs and Boards will demand their Chief Financial Officers possess broader-based skills as they seek business strategists and leaders in filling that role.
At the CFO Rising conference on Wednesday, the panel of finance recruiters had this to say ...
--At Fortune 1000 companies the number of controllers moving into CFO positions is down by about 33%. Conversely, those finance executives who have general management experience, strong operational contributions, and a record of leading strategic initiatives are the most sought after in filling Chief Financial Officer roles today.
--The backward-looking mindset of accounting and FP&A is now outdated and has become commoditized.
--Companies want PROspective mindsets from their CFOs. The game has moved beyond numbers. It requires a CFO to have a strong controller and finance team in place so he is free to focus on the big picture with the CEO.
--There is a trending convergence of the COO and CFO roles. (I think the CFO who brings a solid finance skill set plus operational experience is poised to win this competition every time).
--Today’s CFO requires much more than being the “finance police.” It requires passion, energy, vision, and the proven ability to move a company forward.
