CFO

CFO Interview qualifications to look for

Chief Financial Officers (CFO) are senior-level executives that head up the entire financial department. A qualified CFO candidate typically holds a graduate degree in Finance, Business, or Economics and has plenty of experience under their belt. 

To find the right CFO, you need to determine the risk stage of your company.

Do you currently have high market, product and financial risk (product development, expansion, downsizing, etc.)?  Or are you in a phase of healthy stability where the future is pretty consistent? 

Your best candidate can deal with all types of risks regardless of what the future holds, and can help the company flourish when risk is easily manageable.

Keep an eye out for candidates who are:

• Analytical 
• Critical-thinkers
• Team leaders
• Risk evaluators
• Strategizers
  

Top tip: Diversity is key to a thriving workplace. Keep an eye out for management and exec-level candidates from varying backgrounds and aim to eliminate bias from your hiring process.

Problem-solving interview questions

• Our revenue forecasts for next year have decreased. How do you respond? 
• How do you decide whether a possible investment is profitable?
• Tell me an example of a landmark decision that was made in a product strategy with your previous company. What was your opinion of that decision?

Role-specific interview questions

• Who are your current customers? How have your customer relationships evolved since you started?
• Tell me about a pricing or packaging decision that your previous company made. How did you feel about it? How did you support the decision? 
• Tell me about your previous employer’s company culture. Did you feel you fit in? Were there things about it you would change? 
• What investment strategy do you use when funding departments during the annual budget cycle?
• What’s an accomplishment you are most proud of? How did it help you grow? 
• What metrics should a CFO always monitor?
  

Behavioral interview questions

• How do you resolve conflict with stakeholders if it arises? 
• How have your leadership skills helped to manage your department? Do you have any specific examples?
• What was your most important contribution to your current/previous company?