The Strategic Role and Responsibilities of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

In a multifaceted field like sport management, the position of chief financial officer (CFO) holds significant importance within any organization, especially those where elite performance outcomes hold critical value. Beyond managing budgets and crunching numbers, the CFO in sports organizations assumes a strategic role in driving financial health and sustainability. This chapter explores the complex role and core responsibilities of a CFO, identifying the main responsibilities of the role, the relationships required with other senior stakeholders, and the expected qualifications needed to be successful. Qualifications that go beyond the typical accountancy examinations, and begin to touch on the softer, emotionally intelligent side of the role, if the post holder is to be successful in a multidimensional sport organization.