CFOs overwhelmingly happy with their jobs, survey shows

Many finance workers spend their careers trying to become the CFO.

And, according to a new survey, they usually are happy after they land that coveted position.

Asked to describe what they hope will be their next career move, 57% of 2,100 US CFOs surveyed said they are satisfied in their current role. An additional 18% said they hope their next move will be to retire. The survey was conducted by professional staffing resources firm Robert Half.

“The CFO role comes with wide-ranging responsibility and accountability, as well as a high level of job satisfaction,” Paul McDonald, Robert Half’s senior executive director, said in a news release. “Today’s financial executives influence all areas of their organisations, from operations to information technology to human resources.”

One in 10 CFOs said their goal is to become a CFO of a larger company, and 9% said they hope to start their own business in their next career move. Two per cent said they would like to be chief executive or president of a company.

McDonald said top finance executives also are taking consulting or interim CFO roles instead of retiring. This allows them to continue earning income while working a flexible schedule with diverse project opportunities, McDonald said.

Related CGMA Magazine content

“38% of CFOs Rethinking Retirement”: Many executives are re-examining retirement plans, and more professionals nearing the traditional retirement age are exploring part-time work so they can continue their careers, Robert Half says.

—Ken Tysiac (ktysiac@aicpa.org) is a CGMA Magazine senior editor.