Have you ever employed a part-time CFO on a permanent basis? I currently serve as the finance Director at a $20 million organization, and our CFO is soon to depart. He believes that his role can be filled by someone part-time, working 2-3 days a week, while I take on some additional responsibilities for a salary increase. (I’m not interested in stepping into the CFO role myself).
I already oversee daily operations and manage a team of three quite comfortably, but I’m uncertain about the implications of not having a full-time supervisor in the finance department.
One response
It sounds like you’re in a challenging position, and it’s completely valid to have concerns about the transition to a part-time CFO. While a part-time CFO can certainly bring valuable experience and oversight, it’s crucial to consider how their availability could impact your team and the overall financial strategy of the organization.
One potential advantage of a part-time CFO is that they might bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of expertise without the full-time commitment. However, the lack of a full-time supervisor may lead to gaps in leadership, especially if urgent issues or strategic decisions arise when the part-time CFO isn’t available.
It might be helpful to discuss your concerns with your leadership team. You could express the importance of having consistent support for your role and for your team. It might also be worth exploring whether having a part-time CFO includes adequate support and clearly defined expectations regarding their availability and involvement.
Ultimately, it’s important that the organization has a financial leader who can contribute effectively while ensuring you have the necessary support in your role. You deserve to have clarity about your responsibilities and the resources available to you.