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What does the CFO want from the Financial Controller? The CFO has high expectations from the financial controller, which may seem like a challenging task to fulfill. Unless you have a clear roadmap and understanding of what is expected of you. From leading and developing teams to establishing a financial governance framework to managing financial operations. Additionally, you are expected to have abilities to manage compliance and assurance. Then, you put leveraging technology and automation into the equation. If that's not enough, you must be on top of managing day-to-day tasks and improving processes to enhance efficiency and optimize costs. If this feels overwhelming, there is no pressure! Here's "what the CFO wants from the financial controller" to help you understand and ace the role. These are the five areas you are expected to excel in: 1- Leadership 2- Managing Expectations 3- Finance Operations 4- Compliance and Governance 5- Processes and Technology Take these five areas and plan your journey to manage the CFO's expectations. What else can you add based on your experience as a financial controller? #MAKAlpha #TheFinanceMasterclass coming soon! ----------------------------- - Follow Abdul Khaliq + 🔔 - Sharing 20+ years of journey. - Providing Fractional CFO/Controller services to SMEs. - Download my work by clicking "View my portfolio" above.

During my interactions with aspiring youth in finance, I often face questions about what sets corporate finance apart. To put it simply, there are significant differences. Allow me to elaborate. As a team member of corporate finance, your role encompasses making critical financial decisions, including profit and loss analysis, financial planning, and cash flow management. When it comes to career opportunities, the options are abundant. At the helm is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the financial decision-maker responsible for steering the company's financial strategies. Following closely is the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) department, the financial brain of the organisation. FP&A manages the company's Profit and Loss Statement (P&L) and forecasts crucial financial elements. Next in line is Controllership, a role focused on maintaining the integrity of financial records, ensuring accuracy, and liaising with auditors. Along with that, Treasury oversees the company's cash flow, forecasting cash needs, securing funding, and maintaining financial liquidity. Corporate finance can offer you a plethora of opportunities, with a unique career path that may lead to the coveted CFO position or open doors to other exciting financial domains. #FinancialDomain #CorporateFinance #CareerPath #Opportunities #CorporateWorld #Professionalism

Great insights, Abdul Khaliq! The expectations of a CFO from a financial controller can indeed be overwhelming. Your breakdown of the five areas to excel in is spot on. As a financial controller myself, I would also add the importance of effective communication and collaboration with other departments. Building strong relationships with key stakeholders and fostering teamwork can greatly enhance the effectiveness of financial operations and contribute to overall business success. Looking forward to your upcoming TheFinanceMasterclass, it's always valuable to learn from seasoned professionals like yourself. Keep up the great work!

🔍 Why does a company need a Controller, a CFO, or both? 🤔💼 Financial Expertise: 💡 - Controller: Provides in-depth knowledge of accounting and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. 📊✅ - CFO: Offers a strategic vision and financial management skills essential for long-term decision-making. 🌟📈 Control and Oversight: 🔍 - Controller: Focuses on internal control, ensuring accounting processes are accurate and efficient. 🛠️📋 - CFO: Oversees overall financial performance and establishes policies that guide the company's direction. 🧭💼 Planning and Strategy: 🗺️ - Controller: Assists in budgeting and variance analysis, facilitating more effective financial management. 💰🔍 - CFO: Develops long-term financial strategies, manages investor relations, and seeks growth opportunities. 📈🌱 Risk Mitigation: ⚠️ - Controller: Identifies and controls operational and financial risks on a day-to-day basis. 🔒📉 - CFO: Evaluates strategic and financial risks, making informed decisions to protect the company. 🛡️💼 Decision-Making: 🧠 - Controller: Provides accurate data and analysis that help in operational decision-making. 📊🔑 - CFO: Uses that data for strategic decisions affecting the company’s direction and growth. 🚀📊 In summary, while the Controller handles daily financial control, the CFO steers the long-term financial vision. 🏦✨ #Finance #Controller #CFO #Accounting #FinancialManagement

The Evolving Role of Finance: Becoming a True Business Partner As a seasoned CFO, I fully acknowledge that the role of the finance function has evolved significantly over time and must continue to adapt in this ever-changing and challenging environment. Finance can no longer simply be the gatekeeper of the company’s assets and a scorekeeper of its financial results. It needs to be more connected to the business—it needs to be a true business partner. 🤝 This is something that I continually impress on my team! So what does being a Finance Business Partner mean? A Finance Business Partner plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between finance and other business functions. Key responsibilities include: 📊 Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models to support strategic decision-making. 📈 Business Performance Monitoring: Analyzing financial performance, identifying trends, and providing insights to drive business improvements. 🤝 Stakeholder Collaboration: Working closely with various departments to align financial goals with business objectives. How can a CFO and a Finance team deliver on this? To truly add value, a CFO needs to: 👥 Recruit, develop, and retain a talented team: Building a team with the right skills and mindset is essential. ⚙️ Ensure processes and systems are appropriate: Implementing efficient processes and systems that match the size and complexity of the business ensures financial results are delivered with minimal fuss. 💡 Focus on the basics first: Only when the basics are in place can the CFO and finance team look to add value by partnering with its internal customers, providing insightful business analysis, and supporting key strategic decisions. By embracing these principles, finance can transform from a traditional role into a dynamic and integral part of the business, driving growth and strategic success. 🚀 #Finance #BusinessPartner #CFOInsights #Leadership #StrategicFinance

What is the difference between a Finance Director (or CFO), Finance Controller, and Finance Manager? Well, I shall tell you 👇 The Finance Director is the most senior, and most experienced, finance person in the room 💪 A Finance Director provides important financial insights that gives senior leaders the best information for making sound business decisions. And that's good news for an MD, CEO, or business owner. For SME businesses, typically an FD is heavily involved in things like: ✔️ Formulating company strategy ✔️ Scenario planning and stress testing ✔️ Contract negotiations ✔️ Optimising cash flow and profitability ✔️ Helping secure grants, loans or investment as required Finance Managers and Financial Controllers, on the other hand, are responsible for the day-to-day running of their department. They're responsible for: - Monthly management accounts - Budgeting - Forecasting - Transactional accounting - Correct reconciliations - Tactical cashflow management They’re also involved in planning and analysis, especially around expenditure for operational or strategic work. There's often a bit of cross over between roles, and you could have an FD in a very small business who's not dealing with things that are anywhere near as complex as what a Group FC in a large corporate would have on their plate. But being the No.1 in finance, and having true commercial and strategic experience is what you're looking for if you're after Portfolio FD / Fractional CFO support. A true right-hand sounding board to push you onwards and upwards. ➡️ If you're an MD, CEO, or business owner - would you like to understand your business numbers better? I’ve designed a short quiz to help you score some valuable insights. Link in first comment👇 #PortfolioFinanceDirector #VirtualCFO #FractionalCFO #SMEFinance #SmallBusinessFinance

The Crucial Role of a Strong Financial Controller Recently, I came across a great post here offering insightful advice for new CFOs - the first bullet point covered the importance of hiring a strong Financial Controller! This resonated with me, as having a skilled controller to handle the details allows CFOs to focus on strategy and leadership, effectively delegating operational finance tasks. Reflecting on my experiences, the value of a competent Financial Controller extends beyond the CFO's office—it benefits the entire company. Financial Controllers often go unrecognised, yet their contribution is invaluable. I’ve had the privilege of working with outstanding FCs, enabling me to engage more as a business partner, confident in the solid financial foundation they maintain. Here are five key reasons why a great Financial Controller is indispensable: 1️⃣ Financial Reporting: FCs meticulously manage records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and legislation. Their attention to detail keeps our financial reporting accurate and transparent. 2️⃣ Budget Management: They coordinate budget preparation and forecasting, identifying variances and trends. This enables effective resource allocation and informed decision-making. 3️⃣ Risk Mitigation: By developing internal control policies and procedures, FCs play a pivotal role in risk management, safeguarding our business from financial pitfalls. 4️⃣ Operational Efficiency: Streamlining accounting systems and overseeing day-to-day operations, they keep the financial engine running smoothly, freeing up the CFO to focus on strategic growth. 5️⃣ Audit Liaison: FCs collaborate closely with external auditors to ensure a seamless audit process, guaranteeing compliance and accurate financial statements. A strong Financial Controller empowers the entire finance team, providing insightful financial analysis that drives the business forward. #CFOInsights #FinanceLeadership #FinancialController #PeopleMatter

What does it take to move from Controller to Chief Financial Officer? Would love to know what you think! Transitioning from a Controller to a Chief Financial Officer involves expanding skill sets and perspective beyond those that align with traditional accounting and financial reporting. Controllers are deeply involved in the accounting, reporting, compliance, and transactional aspects of finance while CFOs are expected to take on a more strategic role. Here's a list of areas that a Controller might need to develop or enhance before stepping into a CFO role: 1. Strategic Vision - The ability to contribute to strategic planning, forecasting, and guiding the future direction of the business. 2. Financial Analysis and Decision Support - Proficiency in financial analysis, modeling, and providing actionable insights that support business decisions. 3. Leadership and Communication - Strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate teams, manage change, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders. 4. Business Acumen - A well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of the business, including operations, sales, marketing, and technology. 5. Risk Management - A broader understanding of all types of risk (operational, strategic, compliance, etc.) and the ability to develop comprehensive risk management strategies. 6. Operational Finance - Knowledge of international finance, including foreign exchange risk management, and understanding of the financial implications of operational decisions. 7. Investor Relations and External Communication - Skills in effectively communicating the company’s financial status, strategy, and vision to external stakeholders. I have developed a program, where over 12 weeks, you will learn step by step how I progressed my career from Controller to CFO. This link will provide additional information: https://lnkd.in/ePCtMiYB

Such a helpful template to demonstrate how the Financial Controller supports the CFO in achieving the company’s objectives…. Also a useful reference regarding automation and streamlining processes and systems. #financialcontroller #automation #efficiency #objectives #streamlining #processimprovement