Become a CFO

• Strategic financial planning
• Establishing goals
• Managing a company's assets and debt
• Arranging budgets
• Keeping up with financial trends
• Attending conferences
• Reporting to boards of directors, stock holders, chief executive officers

A CFO career path can be very lucrative, but can also mean long hours, business travel, and vigorous demands.

CFO Career Path: Helpful Skills

CFOs, like all senior executives, need a broad range of abilities in order to fulfill their job requirements:

• Attention to detail
• Leadership and communications skills
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking
• A grasp of business operations
• Tracking market trends
• Sales and negotiation experience
• Skills in finance and accounting management

How to Become a CFO

There are numerous degrees that lead to the CFO position. CFOs have varied backgrounds, although many hold a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Given the executive nature of the job and the high-level of responsibility required, CFOs commonly have a master's degree in business, finance, or management.

CFOs typically have years of on-the-job experience before rising to the rank of chief financial officer, and continuing education in the form of online courses or management seminars may be helpful as well.

What to Expect from a CFO Career Path

CFO income varies as much as the businesses that employ them. Employment can include benefits like salary, stock options, and performance bonuses, as well as the use of company-owned vehicles and memberships.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial managers had a median annual wage of $101,109 in 2009, while the top 10 percent earned more than $166,400 annually.

The CFO career path can be a fast-paced, competitive journey. You are not alone in seeking the prestige and financial rewards of the job, and while executive positions are opening and closing every day, competition continues for the highest spots.