Since enterprises have started to get more and more involved in international markets and have simultaneously come into the focus of interested third parties like banks and analysts, the classic fields of activity have gone through a profound change and expansion. The CFO has become the most important counterpart of the CEO and the decision makers in the operative units.
Today’s CFOs are characterised by a new conception of themselves. The model against which leading CFOs let (want) themselves to be measured, is to guarantee a maximum of efficiency and effectiveness in mastering their tasks and thus contribute substantially to the increase of the corporate value.
The current and future tasks of the “new” CFO that are derived from the changed conception of themselves are:
- Orientation of the costs of finance and controlling towards the international standard (see figure 2).
- Safeguarding and preservation of the financial substance and the capital, abiding compliance-requirements and risk management.
- Constant readiness for discussion about the strategic orientation of the enterprise and identification of possible acquisitions to safeguard the market.
- Professional poise opposite equity owners and analyses: Focussed communication to support target achievement.
