The chief financial officer (CFO) is an essential member of the management team. This professional is responsible for managing a company's finances. However, the career path is much more complex than just taking a few courses to polish one's CV. There are various proven steps required to become a professional CFO.
One of the key steps to becoming a CFO is to acquire the relevant degrees and qualifications. Fundamentally, a CFO requires a bachelor's or master's degree in finance, business administration, or a related field. It is also important to get some professional qualifications along with the degree to enhance one's chances of career progression.
Gaining financial industry experience is another important step in becoming a CFO. To do this effectively, pursuing jobs involving financial planning and management is advisable. Such jobs will significantly help to improve one's financial skills. Similarly, applying for internship positions in these roles can also help gain the required experience and skills.
In addition to gaining relevant industry experience, building useful professional connections and networks is essential. Professional networks can be very helpful when seeking to advance in the career path of a CFO. The people in one's career network will most likely recommend them for any great job opening or position.
