The Chief Financial Officer: What CFOs Do, the Influence they Have, and Why it Matters

The rapid rise in importance of the role of the chief financial officer-from back-office accountant to front-line executive-is unrivaled by that of any other corporate position. With access to every facet of the business, CFOs now wield a level of influence matched only by chief executives. This book explains how CFOs earned their privileged status, and what the future may hold for them. It describes their ever-expanding role, and how they are reshaping their departments to help them deal with that transformation. Insights from current and former CFOs provide a first-hand perspecti.;Copyright Page; Dedication Page; Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Chapter 1 Origins: from the back office to the front line; Chapter 2 Role: ensuring control, driving strategy; Chapter 3 Responsibilities: internal affairs; Chapter 4 Relationships: colleagues and partners, friends and foes; Chapter 5 Prospects: a world of possibilities; Notes and sources; Appendix; Index.