How Long Does It Take to Become a CFO?
How long does it take to become a CFO in today’s finance world?
It typically takes between 10 to 20 years to become a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), depending on your education, career path, and industry. Most CFOs accumulate at least 8–10 years of progressive finance experience, with many pursuing advanced degrees and leadership roles along the way. If you’re wondering how long it takes to become a CFO, the timeline depends on how quickly you build the right skills, qualifications, and strategic visibility — all of which GrowCFO can help you accelerate.
What Is the Average Timeline to Become a CFO?
On average, it takes about 15 years to become a CFO from the time you enter the workforce. This includes:
- 4 years to complete an undergraduate degree
- 0–2 years for a master’s or MBA (optional but valuable)
- 8–10+ years of professional experience in finance or accounting roles
2–5 years in leadership or executive-level positions
While there’s no fixed path, most CFOs follow a long-term trajectory shaped by continuous learning, promotions, and proven impact across financial and strategic functions.
How Long Does It Take to Become a CFO After Earning a Degree?
For most people, the journey begins with a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business. After graduation, you’ll typically spend a decade or more working your way through finance roles such as:
- Financial Analyst
- Accounting Manager
- Controller or Finance Director
- Head of FP&A
If you’re pursuing a master’s degree or MBA, it may add 1–2 years to your timeline, but it often opens doors to faster promotions and higher earning potential. In fact, over 50% of CFOs hold a postgraduate qualification.
What Kind of Experience Is Required — and How Long Does It Take to Get It?
Most employers expect 8 to 10 years of experience in finance or accounting before considering someone for a CFO role. Key experience includes:
- Financial planning and analysis (FP&A)
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Audit, compliance, and controls
- Capital allocation and funding strategy
- Cross-functional leadership
Some CFOs accelerate their path by gaining experience in high-growth environments or taking on cross-functional projects early in their careers. GrowCFO’s CFO Competency Framework helps you identify and fast-track the skills and milestones that matter most.
Can a Master’s Degree or MBA Speed Up How Long It Takes to Become a CFO?
Yes — an advanced degree can shorten the time it takes to become a CFO by making you more competitive for promotions and strategic roles. According to one global data set, 51% of CFOs hold a master’s, and some even hold doctorates.
Benefits of a master’s or MBA include:
- Stronger commercial and strategic thinking
- Access to executive-level opportunities
- Higher salary potential
- More credibility with boards and investors
That said, advanced education is only valuable if paired with experience and results. GrowCFO helps you connect your education to real-world executive readiness.
How Does Your Career Path Affect the Time It Takes?
The route you take will influence how long it takes to become a CFO. Here’s a comparison of three common paths:
| Career Path | Typical Timeline | Strengths |
| Public Accounting → CFO | 10–15 years | Deep audit, compliance, financial rigor |
| Corporate FP&A → CFO | 12–18 years | Budgeting, forecasting, strategic insight |
| Startups → CFO | 8–12 years | Agility, fundraising, rapid scaling |
No matter your path, progression depends on your ability to deliver impact, manage complexity, and lead across the business.
How Can You Shorten the Time It Takes to Become a CFO?
If your goal is to reach the CFO role faster, focus on the following:
- Build core competencies early – Get exposure to financial reporting, FP&A, and stakeholder communication.
- Pursue strategic roles – Volunteer for cross-functional initiatives, transformation projects, and board-facing work.
- Invest in your leadership development – Join programs like GrowCFO’s Future CFO or Leading with Impact to develop executive presence.
- Take a CFO assessment – Benchmark your progress and identify where to focus your development.
So, How Long Does It Really Take to Become a CFO?
For most finance professionals, becoming a CFO takes between 10 and 20 years, depending on how early you specialize, the roles you take, and how intentionally you develop your leadership and strategic skills. There’s no shortcut — but there is a smarter, more structured way to get there.
Want to fast-track your CFO journey?
Join our free Future CFO Preview Event to see how GrowCFO can help you reduce how long it takes to become a CFO — and step confidently into the C-suite.
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