9 ATTRIBUTES OF SUCCESSFUL CORPORATE CPAs By CHERYL MUCHA, CPA
CFO YOUR WAY LLC
Corporate CPAs play a pivotal role in their companies’ success, helping to drive business forward and contribute to its profitability. This is especially true when the CPA is in the position of chief financial officer (CFO).
How does a corporate CPA/CFO enhance their skills in the C suite and/or on the board of directors? How do they develop long-term career-building relationships? Whether the employer is a for-profit or nonprofit organization, there are several attributes and qualifications that define (and can elevate) that professional’s value to an organization. 1. PERSPECTIVE CFOs are valuable partners to the board or leadership because they are able to see and convey the company’s big picture. From the business owner to the mail clerk, the CFO understands how every employee fits into the company puzzle and how each role affects the other (intraand inter-departmentally). Because of their perspective on each area’s revenue stream and the company’s overall operation and financial health, they are in a unique position to help direct the CEO towards more strategic growth. 2. BUSINESS ACUMEN Hand in hand with operational perspective is sharp business acumen. Those who
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MAY/JUNE 2019 | NEW JERSEY CPA
understand business beyond the data are well suited to an advisory role in upper management. They know how financial metrics affect short-term and long-term stability and growth and where the key business drivers are. As such, they are instrumental in making solid business judgments based on current financial data, market changes and industry trends on an executive level. 3. TECH SAVVINESS Staying abreast of rapidly changing technology is a challenge in many fields, and accounting is certainly one of them. CFOs must be aware of all the accounting software and systems available that streamline processes and produce better reporting. Whether it’s bookkeeping and accounting modules, order processing, timekeeping and payroll, sales or inventory, a savvy CFO is always looking to deploy business technology that improves accounting practices and back-end reporting. The goal: to drive smarter business decisions, improve profitability and contribute to the company’s future growth. As technology