Navigating CFO Dynamics and Embracing Mistakes

This chapter explores the CFO's pivotal role in fostering communication between the CEO and the board, highlighting essential qualities for success. It emphasizes the significance of learning from mistakes to enhance financial management within the organization.

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Rick Smith, multi-time CFO, founder of Bonfire Advisory, and author, joins CJ to discuss the complexities and nuances of the CFO role in venture-backed companies. They delve into the dynamics of the CEO-CFO relationship and examine the qualities CEOs think they want in a CFO versus what they need. Rick introduces the concept of “The triangle of doom” that exists between the CEO, the CFO, and the board, and how to navigate situations when forced to pick sides. Having been a CFO of five different organizations across industries and stages, Rick then explains how he categorizes company stages relating to CFO needs. As the founder of Bonfire Advisory, Rick talks about how founders can set themselves up for financial success before they need a full-time CFO and breaks down some of the most common mistakes early-stage companies make.

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@cjgustafson222 (CJ)

LINKS:

Demystifying the Role of the CFO in Venture and Growth Stage Companies - https://www.amazon.com/Demystifying-Role-CFO-Venture-Companies/dp/B0DS9KF2C8

Rick Smith on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-smith-906939/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Preview and Intro

(02:13) Sponsor – Tropic | NetSuite | Planful

(06:49) The Challenges of the CFO-CEO Relationship

(12:59) What CEOs Think They Want in a CFO Versus What They Need

(17:46) Sponsor – Subscript | Rippling Spend | Vanta