When searching for your new CFO, asking the proper interview questions is imperative. These questions can help tease out the information you need to decide if this is the right candidate to optimize the financial performance of your company.

Orion Talent Account Executive Tiasha Bowie explains, “Finding the right CFO means everything for the business. The CFO is the driving force behind the profitability of an organization and can set the business up for success or failure. Allocation of financial resources, strategy and understanding how external factors such as the economy, supply chain, etc. affect growth is how the organization will position itself to be a leader and ahead of the game.”

So what questions should you be asking? Read on for a comprehensive guide to CFO interview questions.

How to Interview a CFO: Tips for Hiring Managers

When beginning the search for a CFO, it is important to look for candidates with the right mix of hard skills, leadership, and vision. CFOs need to be strong leaders that understand the entirety of the business and its model. They should lean forward into change and work to make processes efficient. Your top candidates should also have an understanding of technology and the impact it has on the success or failure of an organization. Overall, a strategic mindset and the ability to address potential problems before they begin are must-haves.

The Best Types of CFO Job Interview Questions to Ask

Hard Skills Questions

These types of questions can help pinpoint a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities. Answers should illustrate that the candidate is in touch with relevant economic, industry, and marketplace trends.

Leadership Questions

Ask questions that tease out not just how they operate as an individual, but also as a leader. And remember that the leadership skills needed for a CFO are very similar to a CEO.

Behavioral & Culture Fit Questions

A CFO candidate that fits with your culture and shares the company’s goals is more likely to be successful in their role. Determine what those goals are and what type of personality is a match.

Hard Skills Questions for CFOs

High level financial strategy

Budgeting and financial forecasting

Growth strategies

Technical finance proficiency

Mergers and acquisitions

Leadership Questions

Leadership style

Communication

People management & talent acquisition

Behavioral & Culture Fit Questions

Behavior & personality

Culture fit

Questions You Can Answer for Your CFO Candidates

Good CFO candidates will come to the interview with a few questions of their own. Be prepared to answer questions like:

CFO Recruiting

“A CFO is not just a finance person, they are the glue that holds everything together and the mind behind expansion/growth. They lay the foundation and then stack the building blocks,” says Tiasha. CFOs improve business performance, turn risk and compliance into opportunities, develop strategic initiatives, and accelerate growth. When it comes time to hire your next CFO, leveraging the interview questions listed above can help you find the right leader who can inspire trust and drive value.

Orion Talent is here to connect you with the top talent and industry leaders you need for your open CFO position. Visit us online to learn more. And for more CFO recruiting advice, check out How Much Industry Experience Does Your New CFO Need? by Orion Talent Director of Recruiting Yasmine O’Brien.

You can also check out our Manufacturing Finance CFO Job Template to find out more about what to look for in a candidate in that industry.

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