Ep. 509 - Unlock CFO Success Secrets No One Tells You About Hiring

Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron discusses one of the most critical hires a business can make, a role that directly impacts leadership alignment, financial clarity, and long-term success: the Chief Financial Officer or CFO.

The conversation highlights how small red flags during the hiring process, such as scheduling mishaps or lack of accountability, can be early indicators of deeper issues that shouldn’t be ignored. You'll learn why asking tough, direct questions in interviews can uncover whether a candidate truly embodies the ownership and resilience needed for high-stakes leadership.

Discover the relationship between this leadership role and the CEO, emphasizing the importance of trust, transparency, and mutual respect. Since not every CEO has the technical expertise to fully evaluate the position, Cameron shows how leaning on outside advisors or experienced professionals can provide the necessary insight to set clear expectations and define success from the outset. This ensures that both sides are aligned on responsibilities and performance measures.

This episode offers practical guidance for any company seeking to strengthen its executive team and navigate the complexities of making the right leadership decision. Before you hire your next CFO, hear Cameron’s insider strategies for defining the role and setting clear expectations.

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Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The nuances of hiring a CFO, including addressing red flags and setting clear expectations.

• The importance of outside experts like fractional CFOs or accounting firms in defining roles and setting new CFOs up for success.

• The role of outside experts in guiding a new CFO and ensuring they meet the company's needs.

• The value of having a fractional CFO participate in the interview process to assess the candidate's skills.

• And much more...

Resources:

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Video call with Cameron: Delphi

Disclaimer:

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