In my articles on the changing role of finance, competitive analysis using financial data perhaps is one area where finance personnel can make a good contribution. This is in line with the SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and threats) analysis where we scan outside for information to form certain decisions. Sun Tzu’ theory also states that […]

Presented below is an overview of a typical Corporate Finance function:
• Senior VP and CFO
• Vice President and Corporate Controller
• Director of Accounting Controls and Systems
• Director of Internal Audit
• Tax Manager
• Accounting Systems Manager
• Senior Business Analyst
• Cash and Credit Manager
• Senior Accountant
• International Accountant
Job Descriptions:
Below are very brief descriptions of the minimum activities […]

In my four part articles on the changing role of finance, I have frequently mentioned the word “business partnering with operational heads”  instead of  allocating over substantial time on transaction processing role.
I have also mentioned earlier that transaction processing role should be there but if it of low value transaction per se then it can […]

In Part 3 of this series of articles, I have also advocated the importance of having a vision for the finance role.
Example of a Finance vision might include statement like:
·         Be a business partner to other business unit operating managers by offering strategic financial advice
·         Build on a world-class finance processes and activities
·         Overcome organization […]

Continued from my earlier articles, we can now ask ourselves what can then be our strategies to transform the finance function to take on more strategic financial advice or what we called business partnering.
The following suggestions are:

The need to have a Vision and Mission For the “New” finance role

Strategically, the CFO should embark on the […]