From Financing to Scaling: What Really Matters to CFOs in High-Growth Companies

About this episode

The CFO role is undergoing a fundamental transformation in rapidly growing companies. What used to be primarily operational accounting and compliance has evolved into strategic business partnership. Remo Gerber from SkyCell and CFO expert Fabienne Doerig share their experiences from various growth phases – from startups to billion-dollar organizations.

The Evolution of the CFO Role

The modern CFO is no longer just a numbers provider. "The days when CFOs only did compliance and reporting are over," explains Fabienne Doerig. Today, it's about actively driving growth as a strategic partner while maintaining operational control.

This balancing act between strategic vision and operational excellence requires new skills. Today's CFOs must understand how operational and financial metrics interconnect and translate these insights into actionable strategies.

Systems and Automation: The Foundation for Scaling

One of the biggest challenges in growth lies in the IT landscape. "You must carefully analyze the system landscape and implement the right tools," emphasizes Remo Gerber. However, there are pitfalls: many companies implement systems too early or choose the wrong solutions.

The classic "build vs. buy" decision for ERP systems is particularly critical. While smaller companies are often well-served by standard solutions, larger organizations can benefit from customized systems. The key is identifying the right timing for the transition.

Data Quality and KPI Alignment

The art lies in meaningfully connecting operational and financial metrics. Many companies fail to consolidate their data from various areas and generate actionable insights from it.

A functioning KPI system requires:

• –Clear definition of the most important metrics
• –Automated data collection from various sources
• –Regular validation of data quality
• –Understandable dashboards for different stakeholders

Forecasting: Top-down Meets Bottom-up

In forecasting, two worlds often collide: the strategic top-down view of management and the operational bottom-up reality of teams. Successful CFOs manage to combine both approaches and create realistic forecasts.

The key lies in continuous calibration: strategic goals must be regularly aligned with operational capabilities. Only this way do forecasts emerge that are both ambitious and achievable.

Fundraising: Process, Negotiation, and Structure

Fundraising isn't just about securing capital, but about strategic positioning for the future. Experienced CFOs keep multiple options open and manage the process so that money actually ends up in the account.

Key success factors:

• –Early preparation and due diligence
• –Building investor relationships before the current funding round
• –Clear communication of growth strategy and capital needs
• –Understanding various capital structures and their implications

Capital Allocation and Team Involvement

Deciding where to invest is among the most difficult tasks for a CFO. This involves not just pure numerical analysis, but also team involvement and strategic prioritization.

Successful capital allocation requires:

• –Transparent evaluation criteria for investments
• –Involving operational teams in planning
• –Regular review and adjustment of strategy
• –Courage to make difficult decisions

Team Building: Generalists vs. Specialists

The composition of the finance team is crucial for success. In early phases, generalists are often the better choice as they can flexibly take on various tasks. However, as size increases, specialists become more important.

Particularly important is a motivated and resilient team. "Change is the only constant in growing companies," explains Fabienne Doerig. Teams must therefore be not only technically competent but also adaptable.

Personal Resilience and Stress Management

CFOs in high-growth companies face enormous pressure. The ability to deal with change and stress becomes a success factor. Clear processes, a strong network, and willingness to seek external support all help.

The Big Picture: Are We Moving the Needle?

In the end, it comes down to the central question: Are we really driving the company forward? Successful CFOs never lose sight of the big picture despite all operational challenges. They understand that their role is to create real value through data and analysis and lead the company to success.

The modern CFO role is complex and demanding, but it also offers the opportunity to sustainably shape companies and actively participate in their growth.