How to Become a Chief Financial Officer?
Are you thinking of becoming a Chief Financial Officer or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Chief Financial Officer, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Chief Financial Officer job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Chief Financial Officer
If you're considering starting your Chief Financial Officer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Chief Financial Officer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Chief Financial Officer career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Chief Financial Officer career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Chief Financial Officer internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Chief Financial Officer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Chief Financial Officer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Chief Financial Officer specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Chief Financial Officer
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Chief Financial Officer. In general, you can become a Chief Financial Officer after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Chief Financial Officer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified public accountant.4
Advance in Your Chief Financial Officer Career
Following entry-level, there are several Chief Financial Officer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Chief Financial Officer to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Chief Financial Officer position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Chief Financial Officer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Chief Financial Officer career path.5
Continued Education for Your Chief Financial Officer Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Chief Financial Officer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Business Administration can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $320,180 compared to $87,279 for those without that type of degree.We don't have enough career path data for Chief Financial Officer jobs. Below are job titles that share similar skill sets.
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Chief Financial Officer Career Path
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