When does a family office need a CFO?
A dedicated CFO may be appropriate when the complexity of the family’s finances requires senior, ongoing oversight. Multiple entities, international interests or an expanding investment portfolio can increase the need for coordinated reporting and financial planning.
The remit might include overseeing cash flow, leading the finance team and working with external investment, legal and tax advisers. Establish whether the person will advise on investments, oversee reporting or hold decision-making authority; these are different responsibilities.
What does a Head of Family Office oversee?
A Head of Family Office typically brings together the wider operation. This can include managing staff and advisers, overseeing projects and ensuring that decisions are carried through across the family’s business and personal interests.
Financial understanding is valuable, but the position may also require substantial operational leadership and experience managing sensitive family relationships.
Can one person cover both?
In some offices, yes. The question is whether the individual has the expertise and capacity to manage both remits. A combined role needs clear priorities, appropriate support and agreed limits on authority.
Our starting point is to understand what the family wants the office to deliver, where responsibility currently sits and what needs to change. That creates a more useful brief than a title alone.
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