New CFO Checklist: The First 90 Days

Episode 29 of the The CFO Show podcast, hosted by Vena Solutions, titled "New CFO Checklist: The First 90 Days" was published on April 30, 2024 and runs 31 minutes.

April 30, 2024 ·31m · The CFO Show

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Summary

A CFO is expected not only to lead financial reporting and the Office of Finance but also to provide strategic insights and strategies that propel the business forward. As a new CFO, you might feel eager to start doing the latter as soon as possible.   But you don’t need to build your long-term strategy in the first few months on the job. When starting a new role as a CFO, your first 90 days should focus on learning about the organization and its members, building relationships across the business, and setting up a long-term vision. Only then can you start making big changes and building a roadmap for the future.  Tom Seegmiller, CFO of Texada Software provides his five-bullet checklist for new CFOs. He reflects on what it’s like to navigate the first 90 days, both professionally and personally, and offers practical tips for anyone taking on a new CFO role. Learn how spending time in the trenches can help you better understand the business and secure some quick wins. Once you have a full understanding of the work your colleagues are doing and how each department operates, you’ll be in a much better position to create long-term strategic value for the organization.Discussed in This Episode: The value of building relationships and goodwill with stakeholders and partners across the businessHow to make yourself an invaluable partner to your CEO and other members of the C-SuiteAssuming best intent, keeping an open mind, and demonstrating an eagerness to help your colleaguesAligning your vision to organizational and business goalsWhy mentorship matters throughout your career, even as CFOFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Episode Description

But you don’t need to build your long-term strategy in the first few months on the job. When starting a new role as a CFO, your first 90 days should focus on learning about the organization and its members, building relationships across the business, and setting up a long-term vision. Only then can you start making big changes and building a roadmap for the future.

Tom Seegmiller, CFO of Texada Software provides his five-bullet checklist for new CFOs. He reflects on what it’s like to navigate the first 90 days, both professionally and personally, and offers practical tips for anyone taking on a new CFO role.

Learn how spending time in the trenches can help you better understand the business and secure some quick wins. Once you have a full understanding of the work your colleagues are doing and how each department operates, you’ll be in a much better position to create long-term strategic value for the organization.

Discussed in This Episode:

The value of building relationships and goodwill with stakeholders and partners across the business
How to make yourself an invaluable partner to your CEO and other members of the C-Suite
Assuming best intent, keeping an open mind, and demonstrating an eagerness to help your colleagues
Aligning your vision to organizational and business goals
Why mentorship matters throughout your career, even as CFO

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.