Tag: The CFO Centre

One of the single scariest challenges for a growth business is when they must make the calls to “level-up” on their talent within their organisation. The standard monthly cost for an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is between R2m and R5m per annum. Gulp. For a growth business this represents a very significant investment. Not only are you bringing in an expensive resource, but this is also a person who will interrogate your business in a way that your current bookkeeper or accountant never has.

Consider this scenario. You have invested ten years into building your business. It has supported your lifestyle, paid salaries, funded personal expenses and allowed you to draw dividends. Your accountant has helped you minimise tax by reducing reported profit and keeping the balance sheet light. At the time, it felt efficient and responsible. Then you decide it is time to sell, and suddenly the numbers that helped you save money now work against you.

Is there a “cheat sheet” for when your executive committee (Exco) sits down with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to assess progress against strategic goals?

Read our exclusive cover story titled CFO “cheat sheet” - what are the 5 crucial financial focus areas? by Rowan De Klerk, CEO, The CFO Centre, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.

As a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) there is a certain intangible skill set which separates the great from the good. If you can move from simply the numbers and compliance person to a key part of the advisory process, you will not only enjoy the best roles in finance, but you will also take the greatest pleasure from the work you do.