Guide to CFO Success

Samuel Dergel, CPA, CA, CPC (San Francisco, CA and Montreal, Canada) has been successfully involved with executive search and consulting for over 13 years. He is an active CPA, Chartered Accountant (Canada), a Certified Personnel Consultant, and is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Samuel is known as "The CFO Expert" and is an active blogger, social media leader, and speaker on the topic of the role of the Chief Financial Officer.

• Preface xiAcknowledgments xvCFO Advisors xixChapter 1: Chief Financial Officer 1What Is a Chief FInancial Officer? 2Personal Attributes of a Successful CFO 4Skills Required for CFO Success 6CFOs Are Different 8Work–Life Balance 11The Other Important Thing to Balance 12Career versus Employer: A Question of Ethics? 13Focusing on Your Career Helps Your Employer 15Conclusion 16Part One Successful Career Strategies for the CFO 19Chapter 2: Planning for Career Success 21Playing to Your Strengths 23Personal Brand 25Networking 27Social Media for the CFO 31Skills Development 36Career Coaching 38Conclusion 39Chapter 3: Career Danger Signs 41Career Danger Signs 42Conclusion 48Chapter 4: Should a CFO Moonlight? 51Perception Is Reality 52Acceptable Moonlighting Methods 52Conclusion 58Chapter 5: The CFO in Transition 61The Grieving Process 62Welcome to Your New Job 63Ideal State 64Catching Up From Behind 65How CFOs Find Their Next Opportunity 69Accepting Your Next CFO Role 69Negotiating Your Next Employment Contract 71Conclusion 78Chapter 6: Starting Your New CFO Role 81Onboarding 82Onboarding Experiences of Real CFOs 87Conclusion 95Part Two Successful Employment Strategies for the CFO 97Chapter 7: Planning for Success at Your Employer 99The Case for a Formal Plan for Success 100Executive Coaching for the CFO 110Conclusion 112Chapter 8: Relationship Management for the CFO 113The CFO Relationship Map 114Elements of Relationship Management 115Examples of Successful CFO Relationship Management 118Examples of Failed CFO Relationships 120Why Do CFO Relationships Fail? 121Conclusion 123Chapter 9: Relationships with the CEO, Board, and Investors 125The CEO Relationship 125Relationship with Your Board of Directors 131Relationship with Investors 141Other Situations 146Conclusion 149Chapter 10: Relationships with Fellow Executives 151Human Resources 152Information Technology 156Marketing 160Sales 165Production 168Conclusion 172Chapter 11: Relationships with Outsiders 175Auditors 176Lenders 178Lawyers 182Other Outside Relationships 184Conclusion 185Chapter 12: Building and Developing Your Finance Team 187Elements of a Great Finance Team 188The Cost of a Great Finance Team 191Plan for a Great Finance Team 192Building Your Finance Team 197Superstars 199Develop Your Team 201Methods to Develop Your Team 204CFO Succession 206How Do I Become a CFO? 207Your First CFO Role 208Conclusion 209Bibliography 211About the Author 213Index 215