{"id":27609,"date":"2025-02-05T08:19:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T13:19:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=27609"},"modified":"2025-02-07T08:26:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T13:26:47","slug":"real-world-advice-from-a-financial-services-cfo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/real-world-advice-from-a-financial-services-cfo\/","title":{"rendered":"The first 90 days: real-world advice from a financial services CFO"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe first 90 days: real-world advice from a financial services CFO\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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For new CFOs in financial services, the first 90 days set the foundation for long-term success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what does that foundation really look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff Whaley, CFO at Haversine Funding<\/a><\/strong>, shares candid insights from his journey transitioning into his first CFO role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with the fundamentals\u2014even if it feels basic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming from nine years at Goldman Sachs in private credit and private equity, Jeff had deep industry expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet his approach focused on mastering the basics before tackling advanced initiatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In financial services, the widgets are dollars,” says Jeff. “A lot of people who come into CFO positions think basic accounting is beneath them. But especially in small to medium-sized organizations, you don’t have that luxury. There are no unimportant tasks because organizations run lean.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build credibility through action<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first 90 days are all about establishing trust and demonstrating competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff’s approach focused on three key areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Understanding core processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Building rapport with team members<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Delivering consistently on basic financial functions<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    “You listen a lot more than you talk,” Jeff explains. “You need to understand what’s important to all stakeholders and what your service level agreements are with other groups. Then focus on getting really, really good at those core functions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Create a tech foundation for growth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When Jeff arrived, Haversine’s financial infrastructure needed modernization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    His team focused on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n