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  • June 2016 (Revised October 2016)
  • Technical Note
  • HBS Case Collection

The Role of the Chief Financial Officer

By: C. Fritz Foley and Michael Lemm
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:23
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Abstract

This note profiles the role of the modern chief financial officer (CFO). It presents insights based on a variety of surveys and descriptions of HBS graduates who hold or have held the CFO role. Although the role varies significantly from one organization to another, CFOs are currently responsible for far more than tracking financial figures. The note provides basic information about the responsibilities CFOs face, the paths that lead to the CFO role, the characteristics of CFOs, the compensation of CFOs, and the kinds of things CFOs do when they leave the CFO role.

Keywords

CFO; Chief Financial Officer; Corporate Finance; Finance

Citation

Foley, C. Fritz, and Michael Lemm. "The Role of the Chief Financial Officer." Harvard Business School Technical Note 216-079, June 2016. (Revised October 2016.)
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About The Author

C. Fritz Foley

Finance
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Related Work

    • June 2016 (Revised October 2016)
    • Faculty Research

    The Role of the Chief Financial Officer

    By: C. Fritz Foley and Michael Lemm
Related Work
  • The Role of the Chief Financial Officer By: C. Fritz Foley and Michael Lemm
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