What qualifications do you need to be a chief financial officer?

After earning your bachelor's degree, the second requirement to be a chief financial officer is to gain relevant work experience. Many CFOs worked in finance roles first, with accounting, banking, and consulting being some of the most prevalent.

Nearly all chief financial officers had eight to ten years of professional experience in a finance-related role first, with five or more years in a senior leadership position.

While not a requirement, many chief financial officers also earned advanced certificates and degrees. A certified public accountant (CPA) license and globally-recognized certified management accountant (CMA) certification are strategically beneficial for aspiring CFOs.

Many chief financial officers earned their master's degrees, with most earning a Master's in Business Administration. Holding an advanced degree can give a CFO candidate a competitive edge and yield higher salaries.

A 2015 Business Insider survey reported the top-earning CFOs earned the following degrees:

• Master's in Business Administration 37%

• Bachelor's in Business Administration 18%

• Bachelor's in Accounting 17%

• Bachelor's in Economics 13%

• Juris Doctorate 4%

• Bachelor's in Finance 3%

• Master's in Economics 2%