Tech frees finance chiefs for broader roles

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An accountancy background was once essential for aspiring chief financial officers, but if Daryl Wang is hiring for his team today he is more likely to favour a candidate with strategic skills who can advise leaders within the business.

As organisations increase their use of technology, finance chiefs have been freed up from number crunching, which is crucial as the role becomes ever more strategic. Digital transformation also means the skills companies are looking for in a finance chief have changed, and the pool they are recruiting from is becoming wider.

“I’m a numbers-driven person. But throughout my career I’ve seen technology as an enabler,” says Mr Wang, chief financial officer for PwC’s consulting arm in south-east Asia. He was hired two years ago to lead the overhaul of the firm’s financial systems and processes.

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