The CFO Guidebook

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the key responsibilities of the CFO position, and key aspects of CFO relations with the controller and CEO.
• Specify the stages in strategy development, strategy types, and the role of the CFO in strategy.
• Cite the methods for identifying and mitigating risks, especially in regard to foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk.
• Identify the types of controls, when they should be used, and the characteristics of better controls.
• Recognize the characteristics of the cash conversion cycle.
• Identify the strategies under which acquisitions are made, the steps in the due diligence process, the characteristics of a strong acquisition candidate, and the various methods for valuing an acquisition candidate.
• Specify the advantages and disadvantages of budgeting, types of budgets, and how to operate without a budget.
• Itemize the different types of product pricing, and the situations in which they are most useful.
• Identify the methods and concepts used to evaluate capital budgeting proposals, as well as the alternatives to fixed asset acquisition.
• State the methods used to construct and update a cash forecast, as well as the methods employed to concentrate cash for investment purposes.
• Cite the available cash investment strategies and the more common investment instruments.
• Identify the types of debt funding, and associated covenants.
• Specify the types of equity funding, the investor rights associated with these instruments, and the types of investors who may invest in them.
• Identify the main credit rating agencies, the types of credit ratings, and the process for obtaining and appealing a credit rating.
• Specify the processes by which a company can go public or take itself private, and the reasons for going public or private.
• Cite the reasons for being listed on a stock exchange, and the qualifications for listing on the various exchanges.
• Identify the participants in and topics covered by an earnings call, the use of guidance, the topics covered in a road show, and the regulations governing investor relations.
• Identify the major public company reports, key reporting concepts, and the method by which reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Specify how float can be increased, as well as alternative methods for selling shares.
• State how competitive advantage can be gained from the use of information technology (IT), as well as how to manage risk with IT.