Chief Financial "Future" Officer (CFO) Job Description

After hearing Aris Castro’s (Regional Finance Lead at Microsoft ASEAN) inspiring presentation on AI at The World Finance Forum (WFF), I couldn’t help but ask ChatGPT to create a job description and an image that captures the key takeaways from WFF Singapore 2024. What do you think?🙂

Position Overview

We are looking for a strategic, purpose-led CFO who drives financial excellence while fostering a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and sustainability. This role requires a blend of traditional financial expertise and a passion for creating positive impact, balancing strategic foresight with tactical execution. The ideal candidate will integrate M&A, compliance, and risk management with a broader mission to build a business that benefits people, profits, and the planet.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership:

• Lead the financial strategy of the company, aligning it with both business objectives and the broader mission of benefiting all stakeholders, including Earth.

• Oversee financial planning and analysis (FP&A), annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling to drive value creation.

• Optimize capital structure and manage capital allocation, ensuring strategic investments that align with growth and sustainability goals.

• Drive mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including due diligence, integration, and value realization, while maintaining alignment with ethical and sustainable principles.

• Ensure financial strategies incorporate micro, macro, and universal perspectives of balanced short-term financial results with long-term value creation.

Compliance, Risk Management & Governance:

• Develop and maintain robust financial controls, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and international accounting standards.

• Oversee risk management frameworks, identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks (e.g., CTC, carbon tax, evolving regulations) to ensure sustainable growth.

• Ensure the company's adherence to ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards, integrating sustainability into compliance and financial reporting, and making ESG a profit center.

Empathetic Leadership:

• Cultivate a culture of empathy, transparency, and trust, leading by example with humility and integrity.

• Serve as a storyteller, translating complex financial data into clear narratives that inspire and drive alignment across the organization.

• Be present and in tune with the mood of the organization, shifting from anxiety to curiosity and fostering a culture of mindfulness and growth.

• Champion inclusive communication, acting as a bridge between finance and other functions, ensuring financial transparency and understanding across the company.

Catalyst for Change & Innovation:

• Transition the CFO role from management to leadership and coaching, driving change and aligning teams around a unified vision.

• Spearhead the adoption of AI-driven financial tools to enhance data accuracy, streamline processes, and enable strategic focus.

• Break down silos, serving as a co-pilot to non-finance leaders, supporting their decision-making, budget allocation, and strategic initiatives.

Foresight & Scenario Planning:

• Develop and implement comprehensive scenario planning, accounting for extreme cases and system complexities.

• Balance short-term survival with long-term aspirations, anticipating shifts in the global economic landscape and their potential impacts on the business.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; advanced degrees (MBA, CPA, or CFA) preferred.

• 15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, with a strong track record in strategic planning, M&A, capital structure optimization, compliance,and risk management.

• Proven expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and performance analysis.

• Demonstrated success in managing financial operations, leading due diligence efforts, and integrating acquisitions.

• Experience in ESG reporting and integrating sustainable practices in financial strategies.

• Strong understanding of AI-driven financial tools and digital transformation in finance.