Hire Or Train?
In this brief advisory segment, Shanli Liu, CPA, CTP, argues that the competencies required to serve as a chief financial officer (CFO) of a $100 million enterprise cannot be effectively taught through an internal training program. She emphasizes that hiring a candidate who already possesses proven, high‑level finance leadership experience is far less risky and more cost‑effective than attempting to develop a novice on the company’s dime, which could lead to costly mistakes. Liu recommends seeking individuals who have repeatedly “won the gold” – i.e., demonstrated success in comparable CFO roles – and using the interview to gauge whether the candidate’s expertise far exceeds the hiring manager’s own, as a sign that the right person has been found.
