Posted by Ma. Jessica Paula Florita
Jun 10, 2025
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The role of a CFO has changed a lot over the years. It’s no longer just about keeping the books balanced and the company’s finances in order – it's about using a mix of important skills to lead the company forward.
Here are the 6 key skills every CFO needs to be successful today.
1. Strategic Thinking and Decisiveness
- What It Means: CFOs must look beyond numbers to craft strategies that drive business growth. This includes analyzing trends, identifying risks, and recognizing opportunities.
- Why It Matters: Effective strategic thinking ensures the company stays ahead of market shifts. Plus, decisiveness is equally important—as delayed actions can lead to missing out or falling behind in the market.
2. Advanced Knowledge of Data Analytics
- What It Means: CFOs must embrace data-driven tools to analyze performance, forecast trends, and make better decisions.
- Why It Matters: Data is the backbone of modern decision-making. With advanced analytics on the side, CFOs can deliver insights that enhance business outcomes and drive the company forward.
3. Management and Collaboration
- What It Means: CFOs must excel in leading their teams and collaborating with other company leaders across various departments.
- Why It Matters: A strong collaboration and good relationship within the team produce better ideas and results, which benefit the organization as a whole.
4. Adaptability and Innovation
- What it Means: CFOs must be flexible and open to embrace new tools to be able to gain an edge over the competitors.
- Why It Matters: Embracing new tools and innovation such as artificial intelligence (AI) can make the processes of the organization faster and smarter. Plus, it can also lessen the stress of the finance team as it can reduce their repetitive tasks.
5. Leading Sustainability Efforts
- What it Means: CFOs should lead the entire organization to meet sustainability and social responsibility objectives.
- Why It Matters: For sustainability initiatives to succeed, accurate and well-managed data—overseen by the CFO—is essential. This accuracy not only drives informed decisions but also strengthens the company's reputation, which is good in the long term.
6. Risk Management
- What It Means: CFOs must look at risks and rewards to make smart, careful decisions that help the company grow.
- Why It Matters: Having effective risk management in place allows a company to grow and innovate. Whether it’s entering new markets, investing in cutting-edge tools, or improving outdated processes, organizations can enhance their competitiveness.
The Bottom Line
CFOs play a huge role in a company’s success. To stay ahead and exceed the boundaries of traditional financial management, they must lead, adapt, and collaborate effectively to drive the organization forward.
Need a reliable finance and accounting outsourcing company to be your long-term business partner?
Consider reaching out to D&V Philippines. We have access to world-class finance and accounting talent who can assist you in fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of the modern CFO.
Contact us at marketing@dvphilippines.com to learn more about our services. You may also download our whitepaper, D&V Philippine’s Premier Finance and Accounting Solutions for CFOs to learn more about our services and how we can help you succeed.
