Barclay Stanton

Capital Markets How to navigate both the “going public” and “being public” phases. “The one regret I have is not investing more in the development of our finance function early on.” So said a chief financial officer who, after completing a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger, realized that his company was not as prepared for the rigors and stresses of life as a publicly traded entity as it should have been.

Of the many vitally important roles and responsibilities of a chief financial officer, the ability to deliver compelling financial presentations would likely not make the top five. But as many CFOs would attest, these presentations can make or break careers. Deliver a compelling and persuasive presentation and you’re a hero. Deliver a rambling, unfocused one, and that next promotion is in jeopardy.