[eBook Code] Guide to CFO Success (eBook Code, 1st)

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xv

CFO Advisors xix

Chapter 1: Chief Financial Officer 1

What Is a Chief FInancial Officer? 2

Personal Attributes of a Successful CFO 4

Skills Required for CFO Success 6

CFOs Are Different 8

Work–Life Balance 11

The Other Important Thing to Balance 12

Career versus Employer: A Question of Ethics? 13

Focusing on Your Career Helps Your Employer 15

Conclusion 16

Part One Successful Career Strategies for the CFO 19

Chapter 2: Planning for Career Success 21

Playing to Your Strengths 23

Personal Brand 25

Networking 27

Social Media for the CFO 31

Skills Development 36

Career Coaching 38

Conclusion 39

Chapter 3: Career Danger Signs 41

Career Danger Signs 42

Conclusion 48

Chapter 4: Should a CFO Moonlight? 51

Perception Is Reality 52

Acceptable Moonlighting Methods 52

Conclusion 58

Chapter 5: The CFO in Transition 61

The Grieving Process 62

Welcome to Your New Job 63

Ideal State 64

Catching Up From Behind 65

How CFOs Find Their Next Opportunity 69

Accepting Your Next CFO Role 69

Negotiating Your Next Employment Contract 71

Conclusion 78

Chapter 6: Starting Your New CFO Role 81

Onboarding 82

Onboarding Experiences of Real CFOs 87

Conclusion 95

Part Two Successful Employment Strategies for the CFO 97

Chapter 7: Planning for Success at Your Employer 99

The Case for a Formal Plan for Success 100

Executive Coaching for the CFO 110

Conclusion 112

Chapter 8: Relationship Management for the CFO 113

The CFO Relationship Map 114

Elements of Relationship Management 115

Examples of Successful CFO Relationship Management 118

Examples of Failed CFO Relationships 120

Why Do CFO Relationships Fail? 121

Conclusion 123

Chapter 9: Relationships with the CEO, Board, and Investors 125

The CEO Relationship 125

Relationship with Your Board of Directors 131

Relationship with Investors 141

Other Situations 146

Conclusion 149

Chapter 10: Relationships with Fellow Executives 151

Human Resources 152

Information Technology 156

Marketing 160

Sales 165

Production 168

Conclusion 172

Chapter 11: Relationships with Outsiders 175

Auditors 176

Lenders 178

Lawyers 182

Other Outside Relationships 184

Conclusion 185

Chapter 12: Building and Developing Your Finance Team 187

Elements of a Great Finance Team 188

The Cost of a Great Finance Team 191

Plan for a Great Finance Team 192

Building Your Finance Team 197

Superstars 199

Develop Your Team 201

Methods to Develop Your Team 204

CFO Succession 206

How Do I Become a CFO? 207

Your First CFO Role 208

Conclusion 209

Bibliography 211

About the Author 213

Index 215