Financial executives who are light on accounting skills may still be able to find job opportunities in certain types of firms, according to Walt Williams, a partner at the recruiting firm of Battalia Winston Amrop.
For example, firms backed by private equity value operational skills over accounting expertise, said Williams in a recent article in CFO Magazine. He noted that private equity backed firms care less about financial reporting than about cash flow. In addition, investment professionals with strong financial skills who may not have any accounting experience can be a welcome addition to capital-starved public companies during the current credit crunch.
Conventional wisdom holds that financial professionals who aspire to a C-level position in a company must have substantial experience in all facets of the business: Operational experience, leadership ability, communication skills, compatibility with the CEO and integrity. Along with a compelling personality that inspires other staff.
But the article points out that those with strong financial credentials can find ways to compensate for gaps in their resumes through perseverance, savvy, good timing, personal connections and luck.
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