Leadership Microsoft

CFO 2.0 – The Evolution of the Chief Finance Officer


Sponsored by Microsoft

Learn from the past to shape the future – this article traces the origins of the CFO role and the trends in history that have fundamentally changed it.

Have you ever wondered how the CFO role evolved? This article traces the origins of the CFO role and the trends in history that have fundamentally changed it. From a pure accounting role to a seat in boardroom, the role of Chief Financial Officer has gone through some major changes since its inception. Today, in the wake of a global economic recession, the role of the CFO has become even more elevated, as corporations increasingly rely on the financial and strategic prowess of their most senior financial leader and his or her team.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Finance leaders and their teams face an array of new challenges, from managing a globally diversified business to mitigating new technology risks. They are responsible for reporting on the past, managing the present, and creating the future. Their role is ubiquitous throughout the organization. There is no longer a singular definition of the CFO role. This piece takes a look at the evolution of corporate finance and the CFO role, the state of today’s CFO, changes for the future, and strategies to help CFOs better manage their shifting job description.

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