What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a CFO?

What are the essential qualifications and credentials required to become a CFO?
To become a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you typically need a combination of formal education, professional qualifications, and senior-level experience in finance. Most CFOs hold a degree in finance, accounting, or economics, often supported by a CPA, ACCA, or MBA. In today’s landscape, soft skills, tech fluency, and strategic leadership capabilities are also essential. If you’re asking “what qualifications do I need to be a CFO,” the answer spans both credentials and competencies — and GrowCFO is here to help you develop them.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a CFO in Terms of Education?

One of the first qualifications you need to be a CFO is a strong academic background. Most CFOs hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration. This foundation helps build financial fluency and technical competence. Many professionals go on to pursue postgraduate degrees, such as an MBA or a master’s in finance, to strengthen their leadership, commercial, and strategic acumen. These degrees demonstrate readiness for high-level decision-making.

✅ Pro tip: Formal education lays the groundwork, but it’s your strategic thinking and leadership skills that set you apart. That’s where GrowCFO’s Future CFO program comes in.

What Certifications Do You Need to Qualify as a CFO?

When people ask “what qualifications do I need to be a CFO?” they’re often referring to professional certifications. While not legally required, these credentials are highly regarded:

• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) – especially valuable in the U.S.
  
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) – globally recognized
  
• CIMA or CMA – strong for roles with a management accounting focus
  

These qualifications validate your technical expertise, compliance knowledge, and ethical grounding. In many industries, they are considered essential for credibility.

What Kind of Experience Do You Need to Be Qualified for a CFO Role?

Qualifications are not just about credentials — they’re about experience too. Most CFOs work for 10–20 years across a variety of finance roles before reaching the C-suite. This includes roles like:

• Financial Analyst
  
• Financial Controller
  
• Head of FP&A
  
• Finance Director
  

Over time, CFOs gain experience in areas such as:

Required Experience Areas	Why It Matters for CFOs
Financial planning & analysis	Enables forecasting, budgeting, and growth
Regulatory compliance	Maintains trust and transparency
Capital management	Maximizes shareholder value
Strategic decision-making	Aligns finance with business priorities
Team leadership & influence	Drives performance across departments

GrowCFO’s CFO Competency Framework is designed to help you benchmark and build the experiences that matter most Our course syllabus has been built specifically to grow these capabilities in current and aspiring CFOs.

What Soft Skills Are Part of the Qualifications to Be a CFO?

As the role of CFO evolves, soft skills are increasingly viewed as part of the core qualifications. Boards and CEOs are looking for CFOs who can do more than report the numbers — they want strategic partners. Today’s CFO needs:

• Leadership – to influence decisions at the highest level
  
• Communication – to explain financial insight in a compelling way
  
• Problem-solving – to navigate uncertainty
  
• Adaptability – to embrace transformation and tech innovation
  
• Collaboration – to work across business functions

Is There a Standard Path to Becoming a CFO?

Not exactly. Some CFOs rise through public accounting firms, others through FP&A roles, and some via consulting or even entrepreneurship. What matters is accumulating the right mix of: Credentials Track record of delivering results Leadership in strategic and operational decisions A growth mindset and continuous learning approach
Taking a CFO assessment can help identify where you are now — and what you need next to close the gap.

How Can GrowCFO Help You Qualify for CFO Roles?

GrowCFO offers a structured pathway to help you build both the hard and soft qualifications needed to step into a CFO role: CFO Competency Assessment – Benchmark yourself against CFO standards. Future CFO Program – Guided development with expert mentors and peers. Skills-Based Courses – Upskill in strategy, business partnering, leadership, and more.
If you’re serious about making the leap from senior finance professional to strategic CFO, now’s the time to act.

Next Step: Join our free Future CFO Preview Event to explore the journey and see if you’re ready.