6 Things Real CFOs Do Not Do

Real CFOs Don’t…

Apply to job postings – If I have one pet peeve, it is when a company puts a job posting up for a CFO. The reason it’s my pet peeve is that the only reason a Real CFO will apply to a job posting would be because he or she is not working. This is because Real CFOs are too busy to send their resume, and because Real CFOs know that any CFO job that is posted is not really a CFO job, it’s really a Controller job.

Do the accounting – They don’t manage the books, they do not do accounting research, they do not make journal entries, they do not cut cheques. Real CFOs are helping manage a business, not run an accounting department.

Assume – Real CFOs have learned over time, often before becoming a CFO, that there is a big difference between assuming they know something and actually knowing something. Real CFOs have learned from the mistakes of assumption.

Deal with audit staff– If you are a CFO and you are dealing with the manager or senior on the audit of your financial statements, you are not a Real CFO. You deal with the partner on the file. And tell him or her that the fee is too high.

Stand in the Shadow of the CEO – You give the presentations. You go on the road. You shake hands. You negotiate and you close the deal. If you are watching the CEO do this from the sidelines, you are not a Real CFO.

Melt into the crowd – A Real CFO has presence. You walk into the room, and people know you are a person with responsibility and power. People want to speak with you, want to know you and want to shake your hand.

So, are you a Real CFO?

Thank you to my partner Paul Landry for his important input in preparing this blog.