Understanding the Difference Between an FD and a CFO: More Similar Than You Think

The debate over the role titles of Finance Director (FD) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has been an ongoing topic in the finance world, but how different are they really?

Semantics vs. Substance

While the rise of the CFO title may suggest a hierarchy, the reality is often more nuanced than it appears.

In essence, both roles signify the top finance position within an organisation, and their differences can largely boil down to semantics and individual business preferences. As James Roach, Managing Director at Headstar, discusses in our latest video, the choice between calling a senior finance professional an FD or CFO depends predominantly on how an organisation chooses to structure its finance team.

Structuring Your Finance Team

For many larger businesses, the CFO title allows for a clearer hierarchy, with several FDs reporting into the CFO. However, this does not diminish the significance of the FD role; instead, it illustrates how organisations adapt their titles to suit their operational needs.

Curious about how to navigate these titles in your own organisation? Watch the full video below to learn James’s insights on making the most of the finance titles available to you.

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Interested in hearing more about how we can solve your challenges? We’d love to hear from you.

James Roach

Managing Director


james.roach@headstar.co.uk

LinkedIn: James Roach

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