You’ve mastered the spreadsheets. You’ve earned your CPA. But if your sights are on the CFO’s seat, technical skill alone won’t get you there. Plenty of accountants stay stuck in the middle of the ladder, not because they lack ability, but because they fail to make the strategic moves that lead to executive leadership.
The CFO role has evolved. It’s no longer just about closing the books and managing compliance. Today’s CFOs are strategic partners. They drive growth, shape investment decisions, and help lead companies through transformation. To reach that level, you’ll need more than accounting expertise.
At CPS, we’ve worked with finance professionals across the country. We know what separates future CFOs from everyone else. If you’re aiming high, here are the career decisions that can get you there faster.
The Path to CFO: Step Into Cross-Functional Roles
One of the most common roadblocks to CFO advancement is staying siloed. Accountants who want to rise through the ranks must go beyond the numbers. That means working closely with operations, sales, technology, or HR to understand how financial decisions impact the broader business.
Seek out roles where you can lead cross-departmental initiatives. If you can help launch a new product or improve forecasting in collaboration with other teams, you’ll show leadership that you understand the whole business.
Learn to Tell the Story Behind the Numbers
Data tells you what happened. But strategy is about understanding why it happened and what comes next. To along the path to a CFO role, you must learn to translate financial data into insights that support smarter decisions.
Practice presenting financial reports to non-financial stakeholders. Make the case for or against an investment based on projections and risk. The more you can tie data to action, the more valuable you’ll be to executive leadership.
Don’t Skip the Leadership Experience
Many future CFOs assume their accuracy and efficiency will get them promoted. But accuracy is expected. What sets CFO candidates apart is their ability to lead people and influence decisions at the highest level.
Look for opportunities to manage teams, mentor junior staff, or lead internal projects. The CFO job is as much about communication and trust as it is about precision. Show that you can build and manage high-performing teams, even if those teams start small.
Build Relationships That Open Doors
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of your professional network. Mentors, former managers, and recruiters can all play a role in opening doors to the right opportunities.
At CPS, we help finance professionals align their experience with long-term goals. Whether you’re ready for a controller position or seeking exposure to a new industry, we can match you with roles that put you on a real path to the CFO chair.
Your next career move should be intentional. Let CPS help you chart the course from accountant to executive. You’ve got the skills. Now it’s time to make the moves that matter. Contact us. We can help.
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