Chief Financial Officer

A chief financial officer (CFO) is responsible for the entirety of the financial and accounting functions of a business, including managing resources and financial assets of a company and subsidiary companies and providing leadership for the continuous evaluation of short- and long-term strategic financial objectives. CFOs work closely with an organization’s chief executive officer (CEO) and chief operating officer (COO).

What Responsibilities Will I Have?

  • Manage the finance, accounting functions, resources and financial assets of a company and subsidiary companies
  • Create, implement, administer and evaluate all financial programs, procedures and supporting information systems of a company
  • Provide leadership for the continuous evaluation of short- and long-term strategic financial objectives
  • Maintain credibility with a company’s finance team
  • Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts
  • Develop, implement and maintain a system that tracks the cost of a business
  • Coordinate changes and improvements in automated, computerized, financial information systems of a company
  • Ensure compliance with local, state and federal financial reporting requirements
  • Serve as the primary contact with lenders and certified public accountant (CPA) firms
  • Partner with senior management in the development and execution of strategic business and operational plans
  • Hire and retain key accounting and financing employees
  • Act as the point person for all tax and audit activities
  • Stay up to date with industry news that could affect the finances of the company
  • Provide recommendations to strategically improve a company’s financial performance and business opportunities

Recommended High School Courses:

  • agricultural education
  • accounting
  • mathematics
  • business
  • economics
  • government
  • computer skills

Education/Training Required:

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration is preferred. You may also consider earning your CPA certification. To become a CFO in agriculture, you must demonstrate a generally accepted minimum of five years of related experience and have a strong background in leadership.

AgExplorer Partners

Culvers
Syngenta
en_US