Today's Superstar CFO

Survey: Most Finance Executives are Taking on Expanding Roles, Including Operations and Sales

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - Extraordinary chief financial officers (CFOs) know no boundaries. Today's superstar CFO is a top-notch accountant, problem solver, and compliance specialist, and, according to recent research, an influencer in operations and sales. In a new Robert Half Management Resources survey, more than nine in 10 (91 per cent) CFOs interviewed said over the past three years their roles have expanded into areas outside of traditional accounting and finance, with operations and sales or business development as the most commonly cited areas.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources, the world's premier provider of senior-level finance, accounting and business systems professionals on a project and interim basis. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on interviews with 270 CFOs from a random sample of Canadian companies.

CFOs were asked, "Which one of the following areas outside of traditional accounting and finance responsibilities, if any, has your role expanded into most over the past three years?" Their responses:

Operations	28%
Sales or business development	27%
Human resources	20%
Information technology	11%
Marketing	5%
None/role hasn't changed	6%
Don't know	3%
Total	100%

"CFOs continue to tackle the day-to-day finance-function tax issues, internal controls and regulatory compliance, but more and more they are being called upon as strategic contributors at the leadership table," said David King, Canadian president of Robert Half Management Resources. "Compared to a few years ago when businesses were focused on cost containment and stability, in the current more optimistic period of growth, the CFO is increasingly involved in areas of the organization affecting both the top and bottom lines, such as sales, business development and operations."

King made special mention on the expansion into human resources and attributed it in part to the competitive hiring environment. In order to attract and retain top talent with in-demand skills, he added, organizations must review compensation and benefits programs to remain competitive in today's market and benefit from finance chiefs' expertise.

About Robert Half Management Resources
Robert Half Management Resources is the premier provider of senior-level finance, accounting and business systems professionals to supplement companies' project and interim staffing needs. The company has more than 150 locations worldwide and offers assistance to hiring managers and consultants at roberthalfmr.com and on its blog at blog.roberthalfmr.com or follow twitter.com/roberthalf_CAN for workplace news.

SOURCE: Robert Half Management Resources

Naz Araghian, 416.865.2140, [email protected]