ENG2610. Next in Line: Making the Leap to CFO (FIN, EDG)

The transition from Controller or Head of FP&A to CFO is one of the most significant—and often misunderstood—career leaps in the finance profession.

Controllers are trained to protect the system, to make sure nothing breaks, every account ties out, and the company stays compliant.

Under pressure, the natural instinct is to dig deeper into the weeds or fix process gaps. That makes you dependable, but it can also make others see you as tactical and too focused on “keeping the books” instead of shaping the bigger picture.

FP&A leaders are trained to analyze, advise, and refine the numbers. Under pressure, the natural instinct is to run another model, explain another variance, or provide more options. That makes you valuable as a partner, but it can also leave others seeing you as an advisor rather than a decision-maker.

This session provides a clear, practical roadmap for finance leaders preparing to step into this expanded sphere of impact.

By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of what differentiates a successful executive candidates and how to bridge that gap with purpose and confidence.

Whether attendees are actively pursuing a CFO role or preparing for future opportunities, this session will equip them with insights and tools to step into the next chapter of their leadership journey with intention and impact.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the key differences between the controller, head of FP&A and CFO roles in terms of focus, expectations, and influence.
• Assess gaps in leadership, strategic thinking, and communication that must be addressed to step confidently into the CFO role.
• Outline a development plan to build the executive presence, cross-functional credibility, and business acumen required of a CFO.