Undergrad: My aim is to be a chief financial officer

[makapaaa]

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
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<!-- 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>

 

[DerekLeung]

This is so shallow !
You must done at least 10 - 20 different things or jobs before you can safely say I love this job !

 

[makapaaa]

This is so shallow !
You must done at least 10 - 20 different things or jobs before you can safely say I love this job !

How else does one expect 66% Sporns to behave? When the Familee shouted, "Life Science!", Ah Beng's and Ah Lian's ran toward it. Then Familee said, "Finance!", the next batch of Bengs and Lians jumped on it while the earlier batch of them were still licking on their wound. The Old Fart did not decide to replace them with FTrash for no good reason.

 

[madmansg]

she is very smart as the last time there was also a 25 year old CFO of listed company.

 

[myfoot123]

My uncle opened a small local firm and put his "O" level son with LCCI bookkeeping cert to work for him. The son title is Chief Accountant. Another friend of mine with A level cert opened a $2 pte ltd company after working for few years and called herself CEO.

There are also people working as CFO earning $4000/month, others worked as accountant earning $5000 or more a month, than another accounts executive drawing $3500 per month. Who is more stressful and who relatively earns more? Same applies to engineers, technician, hr practitioners, sales, marketing and even teachers.

What is title anyway? I was almost coned by a guy who claims to be senior financial consultant but he is just an ordinary salesman.

 

[tonychat]

After working outside for sometime, i feel that the best job for me is to be a bum. That is the happiest job of all. Title and status seems important to them.

I only look up to people who serve others wholeheartedly or create something out to benefit the world. THe whole piece of article only talks about his own progress and achievement and none about how he is going to do his job even more creatively and better to serve.

My hello to him: PHUI....... ( this whole piece of article reflects sinkie behavior )