NSmen can stand aside?
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>YOUR PERSONAL ADVISER: A CAREER
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>My aim is to be a chief financial officer
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Q I will be doing a degree in accountancy at one of the three local universities. My ambition is to become the chief financial officer (CFO) of a multinational corporation (MNC) or a medium-sized company. What sort of career path should I follow to achieve my goal?
I hear the typical route is to first become an auditor, qualify as a certified public accountant (CPA) after three years, and then become a junior accountant and later a senior accountant.
What are the hard and soft skills a CFO must have? What is the average age of those who become CFOs, what sort of pay could I expect as a CFO, and what kind of stress levels would I have to deal with? Finally, what advantages would I have with a CPA, as opposed to someone who doesn't have one?
A There is no one path towards becoming a CFO.
Many accounting graduates choose to work a few years in audit firms before moving to a commercial accounting position that could ultimately put them in line for a CFO position.
The main advantage of this route is that you would gain exposure to various industries and companies. Such experience is worth accumulating as a CFO might be responsible for a group of companies with diverse backgrounds.
You could also become a CFO by taking up an accounting and/or financial position in a company and then moving up the corporate ladder.
The role of a CFO depends on how the position is structured in an organisation. Some CFOs assume a significant operating role in addition to the traditional finance and accounting one.
Refer to the Wikipedia website for more details.
To become a CFO, you normally require training in accountancy with several years of experience in financial and accounting work. Your age or the length of your working experience need not be a factor as the role really turns on your capability.
Being a CFO would put you in a senior leadership position, so in addition to accounting/financial skills, you would need strong leadership skills as well as soft skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. You would also need to be organised, persistent and analytical.
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore (Icpas) is the local accountancy body. Do visit its website at http://www.icpas.org.sg/
There are many similar accountancy bodies - such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), CPA Australia and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) - that are recognised internationally. Each body has its own area of focus.
The advantage of having a membership in such an association is that you could work in any industry anywhere in the world and be recognised. Potential employers would see it as a mark of professionalism and commitment.
To become a member of one of these bodies, you would need to complete your accountancy degree, work in an accounting and/or financial position for a few years and then sit for formal examinations set by the body.
A CFO's pay package depends on his background, experience, job scope and responsibility. The role is highly demanding and stress levels are tied to the individual's ability to cope.
Sam Chia
General Manager
HRnet Performance
Consulting
Advice provided in this column is not meant as a substitute for comprehensive professional advice. E-mail questions to [email protected] <!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start --><!-- vbbintegration : end --><!-- dennis change request 20070424 : start --><!---Google ad - Start : Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:47:02:858---><!-- AdSpace STI Google ad tag --><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://ads.asia1.com.sg/js.ng/site=tsti&pagepos=20&size=10X10"> </SCRIPT>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>YOUR PERSONAL ADVISER: A CAREER
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>My aim is to be a chief financial officer
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Q I will be doing a degree in accountancy at one of the three local universities. My ambition is to become the chief financial officer (CFO) of a multinational corporation (MNC) or a medium-sized company. What sort of career path should I follow to achieve my goal?
I hear the typical route is to first become an auditor, qualify as a certified public accountant (CPA) after three years, and then become a junior accountant and later a senior accountant.
What are the hard and soft skills a CFO must have? What is the average age of those who become CFOs, what sort of pay could I expect as a CFO, and what kind of stress levels would I have to deal with? Finally, what advantages would I have with a CPA, as opposed to someone who doesn't have one?
A There is no one path towards becoming a CFO.
Many accounting graduates choose to work a few years in audit firms before moving to a commercial accounting position that could ultimately put them in line for a CFO position.
The main advantage of this route is that you would gain exposure to various industries and companies. Such experience is worth accumulating as a CFO might be responsible for a group of companies with diverse backgrounds.
You could also become a CFO by taking up an accounting and/or financial position in a company and then moving up the corporate ladder.
The role of a CFO depends on how the position is structured in an organisation. Some CFOs assume a significant operating role in addition to the traditional finance and accounting one.
Refer to the Wikipedia website for more details.
To become a CFO, you normally require training in accountancy with several years of experience in financial and accounting work. Your age or the length of your working experience need not be a factor as the role really turns on your capability.
Being a CFO would put you in a senior leadership position, so in addition to accounting/financial skills, you would need strong leadership skills as well as soft skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. You would also need to be organised, persistent and analytical.
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore (Icpas) is the local accountancy body. Do visit its website at http://www.icpas.org.sg/
There are many similar accountancy bodies - such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), CPA Australia and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) - that are recognised internationally. Each body has its own area of focus.
The advantage of having a membership in such an association is that you could work in any industry anywhere in the world and be recognised. Potential employers would see it as a mark of professionalism and commitment.
To become a member of one of these bodies, you would need to complete your accountancy degree, work in an accounting and/or financial position for a few years and then sit for formal examinations set by the body.
A CFO's pay package depends on his background, experience, job scope and responsibility. The role is highly demanding and stress levels are tied to the individual's ability to cope.
Sam Chia
General Manager
HRnet Performance
Consulting
Advice provided in this column is not meant as a substitute for comprehensive professional advice. E-mail questions to [email protected] <!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start --><!-- vbbintegration : end --><!-- dennis change request 20070424 : start --><!---Google ad - Start : Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:47:02:858---><!-- AdSpace STI Google ad tag --><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://ads.asia1.com.sg/js.ng/site=tsti&pagepos=20&size=10X10"> </SCRIPT>
