CFO hopefuls should broaden skills beyond accounting: ACCA

Aspiring chief financial officers should look beyond traditional accounting qualifications and develop a diverse skill set to remain competitive in the evolving business landscape, according to senior figures in the accounting profession.

Helen Brand, head of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), has advised finance professionals to consider complementary qualifications spanning fields such as data science, professional counselling, and other non-traditional areas. The recommendation underscores a broader shift in how organisations view the role of CFOs, who are increasingly expected to contribute strategically across multiple business domains.

The accounting profession has long been characterised by credential-stacking within finance and audit functions. However, Brand's guidance suggests the modern CFO must bridge technical financial expertise with softer skills and emerging competencies. Data science credentials, for instance, equip finance leaders to interpret complex analytics and guide data-driven decision-making. Counselling or people-focused qualifications enhance emotional intelligence and stakeholder communication—critical as CFOs engage with boards, regulators, and diverse teams.

The advice comes amid rapid digital transformation and changing corporate governance expectations across Asia-Pacific markets. Regulators and investors increasingly scrutinise not just financial performance but also risk management, sustainability reporting, and corporate culture—areas where finance leaders with interdisciplinary knowledge hold distinct advantages.

Professionals considering the CFO track should begin exploring these broader skill areas early in their careers, rather than waiting until senior positions demand them, according to the ACCA guidance.