From accountant to CFO: What I learned by taking risks

When I started out in finance, my dream was not to be a CFO. I didn’t think it was possible. That might sound short-sighted in this day and age. But when I graduated university in 1992, there were no female CFO role models out there for me. 

What I did know was that I wanted to be in business. And, as the first of my family to graduate from university, I also planned to be self-sufficient. Accounting seemed like the right move–I figured people would always need an accountant! 

Fortunately, at that time, the Big 8 accounting firms (now the Big 4) thought so, too. I headed straight to E&Y after graduation. The education I got there was instrumental in getting me to where I am now. I spent my fair share of time in accounting, of course–I also got experience across everything business-related. 

Since then, my career trajectory has always been about growth, development, and…risk. Those concepts are some of what I love about finance. When I look back at where I’ve been, it’s clear that when I’ve tended to make moves, it’s been after about five or six years with a company, when I could celebrate all I had learned, and also be ready for something new and different.  

My family has asked me, “Why can’t you just be happy where you are?” I love to push the envelope and I thrive on challenges outside my comfort zone. For me, that’s where the most learning and highest growth happens. And I’ve found that when I’m willing to take a leap, there has always been someone–oftentimes, several people–there to help me land and keep going. 

For example, my first big career risk was moving to Revlon in 2007. Revlon’s stock when I joined was at an all-time low and they were facing many difficult challenges. But I’d realized that I wanted to be on the CFO path; I also knew that to get there, I would have to broaden my role and responsibilities and expand my experience even more. Even though I had limited experience working outside of accounting, Revlon was willing to take a chance on me. That meant everything, so I took a chance on them. 

Helping others helps you

One of the keys I’ve learned over nearly 30 years is that when you work your butt off, and you’re smart and you’re willing to just work hard, people gravitate toward you. When you’re not thinking about yourself, but rather, thinking about how to drive results and how to help your boss be as successful as they can become, they make room for you. They will bring you up. That helps everyone.

My journey with Revlon was amazing. I started as their international CFO. I was promoted from VP to SVP while on maternity leave with my first child, and I added the role of chief accounting officer to my responsibilities. (See, accountants are always in demand!) My boss and others were great mentors. And I was a big fan of the product. But...you can’t get too comfortable, right? 

You can do more than you think you can

When an opportunity with Ingram Micro came along, plenty of risk came along with it. I didn’t know the industry; it was a bigger business than what I’d run previously; and I would have to convince my family to move from the East Coast to the West. 

Another important thing I’ve learned is that when that little voice in the back of your head starts doubting your abilities, silence it. Several articles over the years have referenced the finding that women are more likely to apply for jobs when they feel they meet 100% of the requirements, while men apply when they meet approx. 60%. I would tell you that perfection doesn’t exist. Our Chief Talent Officer Pat Wadors encourages us to be “perfectly imperfect.” Capitalize on all the ways you do meet the criteria and show them what they’d be missing if they didn’t hire you.    

Pay it forward

Fast-forward to today. I’m in my dream job as CFO at ServiceNow. This has probably been the biggest risk of all: heart of Silicon Valley, incredibly fast growth, and a CEO change at the same time. But I remember thinking back to my early career and how few female CFO’s there had been. I feel a responsibility to set an example for new grads and young women: It’s possible to forge a path to CFO–or to any other role in the C-suite!

I haven’t forgotten what it took to get here. My advice: Be open to risk. Work harder than anyone else. Find a boss who brings you up. Support other women. Now more than ever, that’s critical. Research shows that working women who also have caregiving responsibilities at home are feeling increased pressure to juggle the needs of their family with the requirements of their work. I can understand! I feel it every day. Any career path will have challenges–even mine did! But I know there will be victories, too, along the way. Enjoy the wins–big and small–and then look for the next smart risk.