CFO interview questions and answers. What to ask and what to answer?

Are you interviewing or looking for a job?

Looking for a job. Would like to get a better idea of what to expect and ideas of how to answer or prepare. Also, what questions to ask them.

Consider contacting a CFO career coach. There are multiple here on Proformative to choose from. Consider reviewing each of their websites and content posted to narrow your search. On their websites you will find useful resources to get you started. Best of luck with your search.

Assuming you are prepping for a CFO interview:

To Ask:
- General 'discovery' questions should be answered in advance by working with your network and trying to meet company insiders
- Reporting structure/peer group/staff questions - get those through HR

When you get to the interview, focus on their expectations for the role both immediate needs and within Year 1. What are expected the person taking the role to be able to deliver.

To Answer:
Again, your network comes into play to help get insight on hiring style or formats.

- Your skills and cultural fit: HR will do the screen of background - there are the required experiences (accounting, team, analysis, etc.) you should be able to answer rapidly.
- Your experience: The general discovery will guide your preparation. For example, if the company is growing rapidly or just expanded internationally - those would be high priority areas to see how you fit.

In both what to ask and answer, I recommend you understand the CEO - how she/he approaches business and their level of experience will be a good indication of what they need from the CFO.

Hope this helps.

Mark