You don't need to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to be an effective Chief Financial Officer (CFO), nor do all CPAs need to aspire to managing corporate finances.

Should a CFO have a CPA?

A CFO does not need to have a CPA, CFA, or MBA designation. But of the three, having a CPA designation does help dramatically . I've passed the CPA, and I can say that it is the most important designation to have if you're considering being a startup CFO.

Can you be a CFO without being a CPA?

Inc. Advocates of the accounting profession say CFOs who lack accounting credentials could pose a risk to companies and investors. ... And while there is no regulatory requirement for internal CPAs to review financial statements, having a CPA in the finance chief seat can boost credibility, analysts say.