CFOs can and should play a critical role in the CEO’s and firm’s overall success.

One of the most crucial elements for success of a CFO is their relationship with the CEO. There are very few people that a CEO can turn to for honest discussions to tough questions and strategic initiatives.
CFOs do not earn this trust automatically. It can take months or even years to develop this type of relationship.

Based upon my experience and discussions, CEOs look for the following traits in their CFOs:

1. Be the CEO’s Right-Hand Confidant
2. Create/Add Value to the Business
3. Communicate Effectively

Consistently, the most mentioned attributes and words were communicate, alignment, trust, integrity, and honesty. Great places to start!
Here is a sampling of most-repeated CEO quotes, grouped by these 3 highly sought-after traits:

CEO’s Right-Hand Confidant                              Create/Add Value to the Business
“Get on the same page with me”                       “Be a Business Partner to me–expand beyond numbers”
“Get the right issues on my plate”                     “Drive focus and seek constant improvement”
“Have my back, especially re: Board items”     “Be a businessperson first and foremost”
“Understand our business in its entirety”         “Offer viable solutions to our challenges”

Communicate Effectively
“Build Trust – with candor and facts”               “Communicate, communicate, communicate”
“Transparent Interactions – get to the point”  “No Surprises! Ever! Repeat.”

Of course, the role of each CFO reaches much further beyond these discussed. However, if you are on the road to mastering these three, you have a great start!