Abstract
This paper covers the complexity of being a modern chief financial officer in a large company. The paper takes a look at what governs the CFO in business today and examines whether or not the writer would want to be a CFO.

From the Paper
"After looking through the article "The CFO's Great Balancing act" I would have to express the opinion that it would a lot more difficult to be a CFO in today's market. Many factors play a role in a company's financial position. Today the amount of pressure placed on generating a profit has really escalated. It appears at no time would a CFO be able to predict exactly what's expected of them since the market keeps generating new desires. In this paper, we will cover some of the difficulties placed on the modern CFO and analyze some possible hurdles they might have to overcome to meet the CEO's demands and look at what laws or Acts that have been put in place to help govern their responsibilities."

Tags:act, cfo, chief, decisions, finacial, officer, oxley, sarbanes

Abstract
The paper explains the educational requirements and experience that are valued by those selecting chief financial officers (CFOs). The paper discusses the greater need for leadership and soft skills that include communication skills and personal integrity. The paper notes the importance of building relationships with the CEO or the CEO's bosses on the board of directors. The paper concludes that while there is no one clear path to becoming a CFO, executive recruiters, CFOs and other executives all seem to agree that these skills, traits and experiences form the core of today's CFO. The paper provides an annotated bibliography.

From the Paper
"The role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has been increasing in prominence over the past decade. Accounting scandals such as those at Enron and WorldCom, or the recent failures in the banking industry, have illustrated that failure to manage the accounting, risk controls and compliance of a company can lead to the downfall of CEOs or even of the firm itself. The passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has also contributed to the rise of the CFO, by placing more emphasis on the control and reporting function. With this rise in importance, the role of the CFO has been expanded, sometimes to the point where the CFO begins to supplant the Chief Operating Officer. The increase in responsibility is reflected in the need for additional skills, education, personality traits and experience. "CFOs are more involved in discussions that don't involve their typical bean-counter role -- discussions like build versus buy, offshore operations, and political impacts ." The result is a new breed of CFO, one that takes on direct responsibility."

Tags:leadership, accounting, communication, integrity, degrees

Abstract
This essay is a research proposal for a study to answer to the question: What education, experience, personality traits and skills are needed to become a CFO? The essay offers background into the role of the Chief Financial Officer, discusses literature relevant to the field, presents research methodology and discusses possible findings. The essay states that the expected findings include that the CFO role in today's business world places almost as much emphasis on soft skills and personality traits as it does on education and experience.

From the Paper
"The literature highlights that with the CFO's increased value to the organization comes a greater need for soft skills and leadership, and the ability to build relationships with the CEO or board. "Responsibility for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 rests on the shoulders of CEOs, CFOs and the board of directors. " This fact has put the CFO into a much closer relationship with both the CEO and the Board. Therefore a prospective CFO needs to meet the needs and expectations of the CEO and the Board . David Johnson, CFO of the Hartford Services Group, states it succinctly: ""The CEO connection is the single most important thing a CFO must understand and maintain," and that a sound strategy will depend on myriad interpersonal factors."

Tags:education, finance, leadership

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the growing trend to promote the company CFO to the position of CEO. Over the past 18 months an increasing number of company boards have decided that this transition would best serve their shareholders. Traditionally, however, there were few CFOs who were aiming for the top job and even fewer shareholders who would consider appointing them.

From the Paper
"There are many reasons for which companies could appoint former CFOs as chief executive officers. Their financial expertise and market approach, their prudent manner to take on new challenges and the well supported arguments of their investment decisions are definite advantages. There are two qualities required from someone reaching the position of CFO: a comprehensive knowledge of finance and internal controls and an understanding of the operational and commercial aspects of business. These attributes are also demanded for CEOs.
The strong financial background is an important quality. Nick McCall, chair of the London chapter of The Financial Executives Networking Group (Feng), cited in one article published in Corporate Finance, April 2005, explains that: "Business is becoming increasingly complex - and deal making highly technical - [so] CEOs need to have a sound financial background."

Tags:finance, management, investor, board, operations

Abstract
This paper examines the major duties of the chief financial officer (CFO) for the American Heart Association (AHA). It looks at the background of the organization and highlights the strategic elements of the CFO's position. The paper also examines the duties and functions within a non-profit organization that are not being addressed by the AHA and thereby presents suggestions for improvement.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
History of the American Heart Association
Mission/Vision of the American Heart Association
Brief Description of Products and Services
The CFO of the American Heart Association: Job Description
Core Functions of the CFO
Financial Reporting: CFO at the American Heart Association
Strategic Planning: Reinventing the CFO at the American Heart Association
Budgeting, Forecasting, and Performance Measurement
Fraud Management
Fundraising
Conclusion: Suggestions for Improvement

From the Paper
"In conclusion as stated by Hope, CFOs can transform their roles and for organizations like AHA, it adds greater value (Hope, 2006, page 104). The AHA CFO needs to embrace being a freedom fighter, analyst and adviser, architect of adaptive management, warrior against waste, master of measurement, regulator of risk, and more importantly a champion for change (Hope, 2006, page 3). Nevertheless, there has to be balance for these activities, since the CFO has to focus on activities that increase the marginal value in research and upholds the mission of AHA."

Tags:revenue, responsibility, forecasting, budget, fundraising, nonprofit

Abstract
This paper discusses CPI's price elasticity and defines unitary, elasticity and elastic and inelastic pricing, concluding with questions and recommendations for CPI's CFO and VP of Marketing.

From the Paper
"The pricing for CPI's products in Brazil is expected to have greater elasticity than originally thought and in addition, depending upon how much business CPI does abroad, the firm could expose to percent of its revenue to currency fluctuations. This paper will explain the concepts of inelastic, elastic and unitary price elasticity, ask relevant questions and offer recommendations to CPI's CFO. Price elasticity is a function of elastic demand which states that; "If the percentage change in quantity sold is greater than the percentage change...""

Tags:price elasticity, demand, CPI

Abstract
This paper examines the history and growth of Tyco, which was founded in 1960 by Arthur J. Rosenberg as a small research laboratory that did testing for the government. The paper specifically discusses Tyco's acquisitions and expansions, followed by the conviction of the CEO and CFO of the company in 2005. In addition, the paper discusses how the scandal that occurred at Tyco International demonstrates the importance of business ethics and proves that stronger internal and government controls may be essential to corporate honesty.

From the Paper
"In the case of Tyco International, we have seen what corporate greed can eventually lead to. After this scandal as well other scandals such as the Enron and WorldCom scandals, many citizens lost trust in corporations. In order to reestablish trust and prevent future executives from acting dishonest, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed, and more internal control are now being implemented. In the future, if an executive is confident enough to try and bypass the regulations and steal money from an organization, he will face even more serious charges. Corporate executives such as CEO's of major corporations are among the most elite members of American society. They are extremely well paid, they have excellent benefits, and they are in the position to bring wealth to their families. Given the amount of money they are already receiving, many would find it ridiculous that a corporate executive would even consider stealing money. It is important to understand, however, that people with so much pride and ambition often have no limits, and to them, nothing is ever enough. Their greed often gets in the way of their honesty and loyalty to the people around them, resulting in scandals like the one described and demonstrating the need for ethics in business and more acts of government intervention."

Tags:corporation, acquisition, expansion, theft

Abstract
The paper discusses how each link in an organization must support and create sustainable practices within a business The paper details the responsibility of each individual and department, including the roles of the chief executive officer (CEO), the chief financial officer (CFO), human resource managers, product engineers, procurement specialists, warehouse employees, customer service agents and salespersons.

Outline:
Introduction
Sustainability Responsible CEOs
Sustainability Responsible CFOs
Sustainability Responsible Human Resource Managers
Sustainability Responsible Product Engineers
Sustainability Responsible Procurement Specialists
Sustainability Responsible Warehouse Employees
Sustainability Responsible Customer Service Agent
Sustainability Responsible Salesperson
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The standards and practices associated with sustainability require the development of a structure within an organization that supports sustainable practices. An organization has yet to be developed which does not employ many individuals to create and support its goals. For this reason it is essential that many if not all participants in an organization, no matter its purpose create systems and support functions that maintain the standard of sustainability. Each individual participant, no matter the level of employment has significant impact upon the decisions and standards used to create a greener business and therefore a better world. Each individual within the chain of command, development, procurement, production and support must independently and collaboratively support a standard of greener business practices in order for a business to maintain such standards and practices."

Tags:CEO, CFO, human, resource, managers, product, engineers, procurement, specialists, warehouse, employees, customer, service, agents, salespersons

Abstract
This paper discusses the organizational roles of chief financial officers (CFO), comptrollers, treasurers, reimbursement directors and internal auditors within a health care setting. It discusses whether or not all of these positions are necessary in today's health care setting and why it is necessary to have multiple positions in a health care organization.

From the Paper
"Kirkegaard (1997) proposes that the concept of liquidity is extremely familiar in the theory of accounting and financing. It is defined as having a direct relationship with the action of "paying." Enterprises or individuals are said to be liquid at a moment or within a period when they are able to pay their due debts now or within the period concerned. Payment can be made either in cash or by using references to cash. The daily language of accounting contains expressions such as "liquid capital" or simply "liquidity," terms that simply refer to means of payment that are easily accessible. In practice, "liquid capital" and "liquidity" can have three and only three forms. The ability to pay can be demonstrated by the presence of means of payment in the form of: cash holdings, deposits in bank accounts of various kinds, and prearranged rights to draw on credits of various kinds."

Tags:CFO comptroller treasurer, reimbursement director, internal auditor

Abstract
Using the case of Enron as a backdrop, this paper asks and answers several questions relating to the prosecution of management in corporate crime. The questions involve which laws are broken in the current cases at issue; whether prosecution should include accounting firms and the CFO, how much authority managers have in accounting activities, whether managers should be prosecuted if they had no role in the crime, whether prosecution is becoming a deterrent,and whether corporations are exempt from criminal prosecution?

From the Paper
"Recently, a number of headline-grabbing cases, such as the accounting fraud that existed at the Enron Corporation, have highlighted the role of management at various corporations and in the financial industry, in the commission of corporate crime. The role of accountants and the major corporate accounting firms, as well as the chief financial advisors of corporations and the management personnel whom may or may not be aware of illegal accounting activities, are now under strict scrutiny by the SEC."

Tags:enron, cfo, accounting, deterrent, corporation, crime, authority