career trends

3 Career Questions for CFOs

by

Recently Forbes published an article on the 10 biggest changes expected in finance this year. The author asked the question …

“Can your business evolve with the trends shaping the industry
 or will it lag behind and suffer the consequences?”

Perhaps the same could be asked for you professionally in your role as a Chief Financial Officer.

– Can you remain solely focused on numbers and be competitive with those CFOs who are also intimately engaged with operational functions?

– Can you rely on duties and responsibilities to move you to your next role to the exclusion of clearly illustrating and articulating your track record of solving problems and delivering tangible impacts?

And finally,

– Can you afford to wait until you need a job before you begin thinking about your next (or first) CFO role?

My professional opinion is that the answer to each of those questions is a resounding “no.” At least, not without suffering consequences … perhaps extending an already agonizingly long job search.

While the average tenure of a Finance Chief is roughly 5 years, the reality is that nothing is guaranteed. Companies come and companies go; they are sold and acquired; and for the most part, the Finance Leader is only loved, and retained, as long as the bottom-line is showing a healthy profit.

With Finance Executive tenure trends in mind, I would encourage you to …

-identify and leverage your differentiating niche,
-hone your problem-solving messaging, and
-get on the radar screen of those organizations who need to know about you.

And, consider doing all three sooner rather than later.

 

Copyright CFO-Coach 2018

***********************

Cindy Kraft is the CFO-Coach and America’s leading Career & Personal Brand Strategist for Corporate Finance Executives helping clients understand their marketability, articulate their value, and position themselves as the clear and compelling choice. She is a Certified Reach Personal Brand Strategist, Certified Reach Online Identity Strategist, Certified Career Management Coach, Certified Professional Resume Writer, and Job & Career Transition Coach. Cindy can be reached via email Cindy@CFO-Coach.com, by phone 813-727-3037, or through her website at www.CFO-Coach.com.

CPA CFOs

by

Back in March of 2007, I authored an article on CFO career trends. Here’s an exerpt:

CPA CFOs are the candidates of the future. A CPA CFO with operational experience will offer a compelling value proposition.

The catalyst for “Who Needs a COO,” in CFO.com was Starbuck’s elimination of the COO role and the filling of that role by the CFO. And, according to this article, other companies are following suit as CFOs with technical qualifications, absent from most COO backgrounds, are challenged to partner with the CEO in driving profitability.

I’m updating my previous statement … CPA/CFOs with a solid record of operational contributions offer a compelling value proposition.

A Recruiter’s Top Five Networking Strategies

by

In a recent ERE.net newsletter, Recruiter Mike Nale authored “Progressive Referral–Base Networking: five things to remember when building your contact list.” Read the full article if you want an inside look at what recruiters are doing to find top talent.

In a nutshell though, Nale advises levering a network by …

––following the latest trends. Notice the list where recruiters look for candidates … the majority are NOT job boards.

––creating a plan, and then working your plan. My advice would be to extend this to your career as well.

––branding yourself. Candidates are more alike than they are different … so what is your difference? It’s not “what” you do, it’s “how” you do it and the resulting impact.

––maintaining a global network. In our mobile world, never discount who might be able to assist you.

––exercising Giver’s Gain. You will reap what you sow.