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The Role of the Financial Manager

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The Role of the Financial Manager

Case Assignment (Module 01)

25 August 2010

TUI University

Abstract

This paper explains why I think the finance department is a good place to train future CEOs. I will also give a few examples of Pros and Cons regarding this subject. Additionally, I will briefly describe both of the responsibilities associated with these positions.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the person who manages the company towards its goals, guided by its vision and relying on its mission and values. As the highest ranking corporate officer, the CEO aspires to ensure competitiveness and engage innovative strategies to reinvent and differentiate amongst competitors, regardless of products. While the rest of the company reports to this ‘big boss’, the CEO reports to the board of directors, in which the CEO may also be a part of. The CEO may be the owner of the company or may be appointed or elected. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the top financial advisor, and it is the top finance position of the company. The CFO is responsible for the accounting, department, budgeting, reporting, audits, financial business practices, undertaken in compliance with industry standards, and ensuring the company is financially sound for meeting its business goals. The CFO is responsible for the finance strategy in the company on the basis of market trends, projections, forecasts and in consensus with other senior members of the company. The CFO at times may hand the investments of the company as well. The CFO reports to the CEO and may be a part of the board of directors. In today’s business world acquisitions, mergers, and the overall consolidation of certain industries have reduced the number of opportunities for CFOs to move to CEO positions. However, the realities of the changing marketplace are reflected in CFOs,

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