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Also known as: Chief Financial Officer, finance chief

CFO

ConceptualRolesFinance

Definition

CFO: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads a company's financial strategy, including accounting, financial planning, risk management, and investor relations. In startups, CFOs typically join at Series B or later when financial complexity requires dedicated expertise. Before that, finance may be handled by founders or a VP Finance.

Example Usage

“We hired a CFO before Series C. She built the financial infrastructure for due diligence and now manages our $50M in the bank.”

Common Misconceptions

Hire a CFO early. Most startups don't need a full CFO until Series B+; VP Finance or fractional works earlier.
CFO is just accounting. Strategic CFOs drive business decisions through financial analysis and forecasting.
CFOs are just for fundraising. Day-to-day financial operations, planning, and risk management matter more long-term.

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