In today’s fast-paced business environment, a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is far more than a financial gatekeeper—they are a strategic partner who can help drive growth, shape long-term vision, and steer the company through uncertainty. But simply having a CFO is not enough. To truly unlock their potential, CEOs, founders, and leadership teams need to know how to engage and empower them effectively.
Here are some tips on how to get the highest value out of your CFO:
1. Bring Them Into Strategic Conversations Early
Your CFO should not be the last to know about major strategic moves. Whether it is a new product launch, expansion into a new market, or potential M&A activity, looping in your CFO early ensures financial feasibility is baked into the strategy from day one. They bring a critical lens to decision-making—balancing ambition with risk awareness.
Pro Tip: Invite your CFO to regular executive planning meetings, not just financial reviews.
2. Give Them a Seat at the Table, Not Just the Ledger
A modern CFO is deeply involved in more than just budgets and forecasts. They should be helping shape pricing models, customer acquisition strategies, and operational efficiencies. Treat them as a thought partner, not just a number-cruncher.
What this looks like:
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Asking for their perspective during brainstorming sessions
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Involving them in product or go-to-market decisions
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Leaning on them for scenario planning and trade-off analyses
3. Push for Forward-Looking Insight, Not Just Historical Reporting
Many organizations underutilize their CFO by focusing only on past performance. While accurate historical reporting is essential, your CFO’s true value lies in their ability to project and model the future. However, they cannot create these models in a vacuum, they need to have an udnerstanding of the broader goals and strategies of the company.
Encourage them to:
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Develop rolling forecasts
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Build financial models for different growth scenarios
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Provide early warnings on cash flow or runway issues
This shift from “what happened” to “what could happen” can be a game changer.
4. Prioritize Technology and Data Infrastructure
If your CFO is still buried in spreadsheets, it is time to level up. Equip them with modern financial planning tools and dashboards that can automate the basics and free up time for strategic work.
Also, ensure they have access to reliable, real-time data from across the organization—not just finance. This allows for sharper insights and better decision-making.
5. Support Their Relationship With Other Departments
Your CFO’s impact amplifies when they work closely with heads of Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Product. Support cross-functional collaboration and create opportunities for regular dialogue. When finance is embedded in every major team, the whole organization benefits from more aligned, financially sound decisions.
6. Challenge and Listen
The best CFOs are not “yes” people. They’ll challenge assumptions, stress-test strategies, and surface hard truths. That’s exactly what you want. Create a culture where healthy debate is welcomed, and dissenting views are respected.
At the same time, actively listen. A great CFO has their finger on the pulse of the business and may spot signals you’ve missed.
7. Invest in Their Development Too
Just like any key executive, CFOs need space to grow. Encourage participation in leadership development programs, industry conferences, and mentorship opportunities. A sharper CFO means a sharper business.
Final Thoughts
Getting the most out of your CFO starts with seeing them for who they really are: a powerhouse of insight, strategy, and foresight. When fully integrated into the leadership team and empowered to operate beyond the books, your CFO can help transform your business trajectory.
Whether you are scaling a startup or steering a mature company, it is time to think of your CFO not just as the financial voice in the room—but as one of your most essential strategic allies.