CFO Jobs Overview
A CFO, or Chief Financial Officer, oversees the finance department of a company. They take decisions to ensure business stability and growth, while also closely monitoring cash flow and financial operations. Together with the CEO and COO, chief financial officers are the highest-ranking executives in a firm. That’s why those in CFO jobs generally hold not only strong qualifications but also plenty of years of experience in the sector.
A CFO’s main responsibilities include:
- creating and implementing a company’s financial strategy
- preparing reports and projections
- periodically reviewing financial statements with the CEO
- establishing budget allocation with the CEO
- ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
- working on increasing revenue and reducing losses
Not quite at the right level for a CFO job? Have a look at all the other finance jobs on Monster. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Education and Skills for CFO Jobs
As the head of the finance department, chief financial officers are usually the most experienced employees in their field. To become one, you must start by obtaining a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, or a similar field and then pursue a career in accounting, consulting, financial reporting, or banking.
Specializing in a specific field will help you establish your expertise faster. The same goes for pursuing advanced education like a Master of Finance or by obtaining the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certificate. After around 8 to 10 years you’ll have the experience necessary to make the jump into a C-suite level role.
Successful chief financial officers (CFO) also demonstrate the following abilities:
- leadership
- strategic vision
- reliability
- communication and interpersonal skills
- problem-solving
- analytic mindset
- decision making
- time management
- people management skills
Update Your Resume for Chief Financial Officer Jobs
If you have enough experience to apply for a CFO role, writing a resume could be tricky. How do you summarize all your achievements in a one or two-page CFO resume? Well, you don’t. Instead, cherry-pick the experiences that match what’s required in the job offer and describe them with the same keywords.
Then, present them in the form of achievements with numbers, metrics and other quantifiable results. As CFOs are an important part of the leadership team, don’t forget to include your soft skills, especially those related to building relationships.
Top it all off with a powerful professional summary. Define your personal brand and what you are looking for in your next role. Finally, to attract recruiters, write a compelling cover letter. Explain what you can bring to the company and where you see your career going.
Interviewing for Chief Financial Officer Jobs
To lock in a C-suite role like the chief financial officer (CFO), expect multiple rounds of interviews to come your way. Focusing on your interview preparation is, therefore, crucial. Although at your level you’ll likely already have mastered the ten most common job interview questions, a little refresh can never hurt.
Recruiters will also want to hear about your experience in leadership. Prepare to talk about your managing style, your organizational processes, and your ideas for the prospective company you would work for. They’ll certainly ask you behavioral questions as well. Make sure to answer them following the STAR method for maximum efficacy. Above all be enthusiastic and make the company envision you as the leader they’re looking for.
How Much Do CFO Jobs Pay?
The salary of a chief financial officer ranges between $83,423 and $156,063 per year, with $119,960 as the average. Factors such as your experience on the job, company size and location are responsible for pushing that number in one or the other direction. For instance, in New York the average wage for the same role is $129,543, while in San Francisco it’s $160,877.
Find out how much you could be making in your city by trying out Monster’s Salary Tool. This calculator will also provide you with the best locations for your role and the most in-demand skills to acquire for your field.
Want to Learn More About a Company You’re Interested In?
Every company needs a chief financial officer to function properly and be profitable. It means you have almost endless possibilities, and that can be both scary and exciting at the same time! Monster is here to help you evaluate what every company brings to the table. Just explore our company profiles. You’ll find out all about:
- company values and mission
- employee welfare packages
- firm headquarters and other office locations
Treasure Your Talent and Secure Your Next CFO Jobs with Monster
Ready to be a key player in executive leadership? Find your next chief financial officer jobs by setting up a Monster account today. Upload your most recent resume, select what kinds of positions you’re interested in and you’re all set. No more scrolling for jobs; we’ll send you the offers as soon as they’re published. Plus, companies and recruiters will contact you directly if your skills match their search.