Investigating the expertise of Top 500 financial directors

The findings of CIMA-funded research into the ideas, views, and observations of financial directors (FD) are presented. The report, called Inside Financial Management, is aimed at all readers who are prepared to make their own minds up about the ways in which FDs talk about their expertise. The CIMA-funded research began by writing to around 250 FDs employed by Top 500 companies as listed by the Financial Times. About 50 replied to the invitation, and 22 agreed to take part in the research. Three specific areas were chosen for more detailed work: capital investment, dividends, and capital structures. Based on the sample involved in the study, expert financial managers are generalists and not technicians. FDs need to be technically competent, but treasurers, controllers, and computers will deal with the details of calculations.