CFO / Chief Financial Officer: responsibilities, salary and studies

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plays a key role in managing a company. They oversee financial and administrative activities, monitor performance and support senior management in decision-making. This position is generally reached after several years of experience in auditing, management control or financial management roles.

Recommended education

MSc in International Accounting, Management Control and Auditing

The most suitable pathway for developing expertise in accounting, auditing, management control, reporting and financial management, before gradually progressing into senior financial management roles.

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Key figures:

€54,250

Average salary, 0–2 years’ experience, annual, including bonuses (in France)

audit finance

Where can you work?

86%

of RSB graduates working in this profession are very satisfied with their job

This career could be right for you if…

You enjoy working with figures, analysis and financial management.
You are thorough and comfortable working with complex information.
You want to understand how a company operates as a whole.
You know how to take a step back and support decision-making.
You are interested in accounting, management control, auditing and reporting.
You want to progress gradually into senior financial management responsibilities.

Recommended programme

MSc in International Accounting, Management Control and Auditing

A programme designed to develop expertise in accounting, auditing, management control, reporting and financial management.

Discover the programme

A typical day for a Chief Financial Officer:

A CFO’s day may begin with an analysis of the company’s key financial indicators: results, budgets, cash flow, forecasts or identified variances. This information allows them to identify areas requiring attention and support the management of business performance.

They may then meet with senior management and the company’s various department heads, oversee financial reporting or monitor the work of accounting and management control teams. Their role is to maintain a comprehensive view of the organisation’s financial position and provide the information needed for decision-making.

The main steps towards becoming a CFO

Role	Role in the career path
Auditing	Develop expertise in analysing and reviewing financial information.
Management control	Develop skills in performance monitoring, budgeting, reporting and management.
Financial management	Gradually take on greater responsibility for managing the organisation’s finances.
Chief Financial Officer	Oversee administrative and financial functions and support senior management in decision-making.

Main responsibilities

Managing financial performance

The CFO oversees the organisation’s financial monitoring, management control, budgets and reporting. They analyse results and help provide a clear view of the company’s financial position.

Supporting senior management

Using the financial information available to them, the CFO supports senior management in running the company and contributes to decisions concerning its development and performance.

What salary can you expect?

Experience	Average gross annual salary (in France)	Level
0–2 years	€54,250	Junior
3–5 years	€68,504	Experienced

Average gross annual salaries, including bonuses.

The position of Chief Financial Officer is generally reached after several years of experience in auditing, control or financial management roles.

What should you study to progress into a CFO role?

Building the foundations

The Bachelor in Management, with a specialisation in Finance, provides a first foundation of skills before progressing to more advanced specialisation in finance, accounting, auditing or management control.

The recommended pathway

The MSc in International Accounting, Management Control and Auditing is the most suitable pathway for developing expertise in accounting, auditing, management control, reporting and financial management.

Other related pathways

Other RSB pathways are also associated with this role: Programme Grande École, MSc in International Finance, MSc in International Negotiation and Business Development, MSc in Luxury Marketing and Brand Management, MSc in Data and Business Analytics and MSc in International Management.

View the related RSB programme

Partner companies recruiting graduates

ATLAYS · CARREFOUR · CRÉDIT AGRICOLE · BANQUE EUROPÉENNE D’INVESTISSEMENT · ASHTON THOMAS PRIVATE WEALTH

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Your first steps in finance

The path towards becoming a CFO can begin with roles in auditing, management control or finance. These early experiences allow you to develop the necessary technical skills and gain a better understanding of how an organisation’s finances work.

You progress into positions of greater responsibility

With experience, you can gradually take on greater responsibility for financial management, reporting, control and the coordination of the company’s financial activities.

You progress into financial leadership

The position of Chief Financial Officer is generally reached after several years in auditing, control or financial management roles. It combines financial expertise, management and support for senior management.

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FAQs about a career as a Chief Financial Officer

What salary can you expect on the path towards becoming a CFO?

Available data indicates an average gross annual salary of €54,250, including bonuses, for professionals with between zero and two years of experience and €68,504, including bonuses, for professionals with between three and five years of experience (based in France). The position of CFO is generally reached after several years of experience.

Can you become a CFO straight after graduating?

The position of Chief Financial Officer is presented as a career progression. It is generally reached after experience in auditing, management control or financial management roles.

Which RSB programme is best suited to progressing into a CFO role?

Which Bachelor should you choose to prepare for a career in financial management?

The Bachelor in Management with a specialisation in Finance is the Bachelor pathway associated with this career profile.

Which other RSB programmes are associated with this role?

What experience can lead to a CFO role?

The position of CFO is generally reached after roles in auditing, control or financial management.

Interested in a career in financial management?

Discover the MSc in International Accounting, Management Control and Auditing at Rennes School of Business to develop your skills in accounting, auditing, management control, reporting and financial management.

Discover the programme