Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting (minimum requirement)
  • Master’s degree in finance, accounting, or MBA (preferred)

Professional certifications:

  • CPA (Certified Public Accountant): Gold standard for financial reporting, taxation, and audit expertise
  • CMA (Certified Management Accountant): Strategic financial management and performance optimization focus
  • CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): Investment expertise, valuation modeling, capital raising
  • FCFO (Fractional CFO Certification): Specialized training in fractional executive leadership

Experience requirements:

  • Minimum 8-15 years in senior finance roles (CFO, VP Finance, Finance Director)
  • Prior CFO or VP-level experience (not just controller or accounting manager)
  • Proven track record with companies in your revenue range