July 9, 2025

Nature vs. Nurture: What Makes a High-Impact CFO?

As the role of the CFO continues to evolve from financial steward to strategic business leader, the debate grows louder: Are great CFOs born, or are they made?

At Conexus, we believe it’s both. While innate qualities — such as resilience, analytical acumen, and executive presence — often set high-performing CFOs apart, today’s finance leaders also need intentional development, diverse experiences, and hands-on operational leadership to truly excel.

In our latest publication, we explore the seven core competencies that define a high-impact CFO:

  • Strategic leadership
  • Operational expertise
  • Private equity acumen
  • Technology fluency
  • Crisis & change management
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Communication & storytelling

Combining deep operational advisory expertise with proven talent strategy, Conexus empowers finance leaders who are not just keeping pace — but leading transformation.

Download the full PDF here

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