This document provides advice from several CFOs on how to succeed in finance. It outlines 9 key lessons: 1) understand the business outside of finance and use numbers to tell the story; 2) be motivated, passionate, and persistent to achieve goals but also patient and engaged; 3) take on challenges others won't and don't get bored; 4) have a positive mindset and don't wait for instructions; 5) most things are harder than they seem so show trust and connect stories to numbers; 6) be bold and courageous to change industries; 7) build a great diverse team without "yes" people; 8) be approachable as a leader so you hear the real problems; 9) finance is about

1. 9 LESSONS FROM
CFOS WHO LEAD
HOW TO GET AHEAD IN FINANCE
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

2. To get ahead in finance, the best advice
is from those who are already there. Read
on for 9 big lessons from talented CFOs.
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

3. LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

4. Many people think finance is the domain
of the bean-counters, but finance is really
everybody’s business. It’s about leadership,
bringing people on a journey and all
contributing to that one outcome.
LEARN MORE
Lily Viertmann FCPA
CFO, Department of the Environment, Australia Finance
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

5. You have to be motivated, passionate
and persistent to get where you want
to go. Once you’re there, you have to
be patient, focused and engaged with
stakeholders. If you don’t do both,
you might get there, but you’ll fall
over pretty quickly.
LEARN MORE
Wayne Stokes FCPA
CFO, Carnival Australia
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

6. Make sure you understand what’s going
on across the business, outside of finance,
then use the numbers to tell that story. You
add value by providing insight around the
future implications of what’s happening
and its impact on performance.
LEARN MORE
Kylie Archer CPA
CFO, Seafolly
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

7. Have a positive mindset and
attitude – and never wait for your
boss to give you instructions.
Be proactive as it’s always easier
to set the pace rather than run
after another person. Never be
insecure or defensive. Be sincere,
gracious, patient and confident.
LEARN MORE
Tan Wee Ko FCPA
CFO, Challenger
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

8. Most good things are harder than they
might appear at the outset; there will
always be hard yards ahead. Show trust and
let good people do good things. Also, you
have to connect the story to the numbers.
LEARN MORE
Scott Dilley FCPA
CFO, Department of Social Services
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

9. Take on the challenges others won’t.
Don’t be put off because it’s hard or
dirty – it will become an opportunity.
If you get bored, get out.
LEARN MORE
Andrew Clark FCPA
CFO, Airservices Australia
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

10. Be bold. Have the courage to
change industries because skills
are transferable. You’ll learn
about a whole new world.
LEARN MORE
Nicole Peck CPA
CFO, Barwon Health
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

11. You need a great team. How to build a
great team, with diversity of thinking –
you don’t want a bunch of “yes” people
– is one of the most important things to
learn as a leader.
LEARN MORE
Laura Lillas FCPA
CFO, Partners in Performance
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

12. One of the worst things you can do as
a senior leader is not be approachable.
You become like the emperor with
no clothes – no one tells you what
the problems are, they only tell you
the good news or what they think
you want to hear.
LEARN MORE
David Spong FCPA
CFO, Ericsson
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS

13. Sign up for the fortnightly INTHEBLACK
e-newsletter and get a complimentary eBook,
“Masters of Strategy: 7 leaders shaping
the world of business”.
LIKEWHATYOU’REREADING?

14. Usual end slide
LEADERSHIP .STRATEGY . BUSINESS
INTHEBLACK.COM