By Christy Hamilton
Let’s start at the beginning: a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) isn’t just someone who “runs the numbers.” A strong CFO is a thought partner—someone who helps you lead the daily operations of your organization with strategy, clarity, and confidence.
There are plenty of articles out there on what makes a good CFO, what red flags to watch out for, and how to vet technical skills. But let’s skip ahead to the real question:
What kind of CFO do you need?
It’s easy to say, “I need someone to oversee finance and keep my board and funders comfortable.” But what kind of leadership is actually right for your organization? What skills and mindset are you looking for? No two CFOs are alike—and the right fit depends on where you are and where you’re headed.
Here are a few questions to help clarify what kind of CFO will serve you best:
- Do I need someone who can speak directly to the board? Will they need to translate financials into mission-aligned storytelling that resonates with funders and stakeholders?
- How are my audits and systems? Do I never think about them because they’re in great shape—or do I think about them constantly because they’re always on fire?
- What does the rest of my finance team look like? Do I already have technical expertise and just need strategy—or vice versa? Or do I need a leader who can bring both?
- How modern (or manual) are our processes? Are we relying on outdated systems and people-dependent workarounds, or have we invested in tools that help things run efficiently? (This matters—a clean house makes it a lot easier to invite someone to stay.)
- What are the financial complexities I’m navigating? Do we have endowments, real estate, or tricky payroll scenarios—or is our model relatively straightforward?
These are just a few of the questions I ask when getting to know a potential client. It’s not about perfection—it’s about understanding your environment, your expectations, and your organizational personality.
The goal isn’t to make sweeping changes overnight or hire someone who’ll give your team whiplash. It’s about evolving with intention—making the right changes over time.