The scope of the role of a chief financial officer

• Main Authors: Chen, Jason Kwan-Sheng, Tang, Wei Kiang, Yaw, Cynthia Carmen
• Other Authors: Nanyang Business School
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/51205
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The purpose of this report is to capture information about the present role of a chief financial officer and how this role may change over the next decade, as perceived by them. The information in this report is therefore based on a survey instrument that were sent out to 500 members registered with the Institute Of Certified Public Accountants Of Singapore (ICPAS). The respondents are mainly finance directors and controllers, or otherwise occupying senior accounting positions. From the survey results, it could be concluded that most of the respondents are involved heavily in taxation and financial management, and also in reviewing financial performance against standards/budgets. There is also a trend that communication and information technology skills are expected of them. Taking a macro view, there is an overwhelming consensus that an accountant should have a greater understanding of global competitive environment and ethics in the next decade. This report also seeks to examine the evolution of the role of a CFO as nurtured by perpetual changes in the environment both internally and externally.