Becoming the CFO of a listed business is a huge step.

Becoming CFO of a listed business is a huge step. Here are 10 priorities every new public company CFO must focus on in their first few months.

1️⃣ Get control of the numbers – if cash flow or close processes are shaky, investor confidence disappears fast. 2️⃣ Build trust with the CEO and board – alignment and commercial insight matter more than technical detail in month one.

3️⃣ Understand the investor landscape – listen to past earnings calls before setting a new narrative.

4️⃣ Pressure-test forecasts and KPIs – over-promising on guidance is a rookie mistake that costs credibility.

5️⃣ Assess the finance team – do you have the right leaders in FP&A, tax, and treasury, or do gaps need closing?

6️⃣ Take control of cash and capital allocation – decisions on liquidity, debt, and dividends are board-critical from day one.

7️⃣ Identify risks and weak spots – whether regulatory or operational, raising them early builds trust with stakeholders.

8️⃣ Tighten the company story – link performance to strategy in plain English for investors and analysts.

9️⃣ Make finance a strategic enabler – show how finance supports growth and investment decisions, not just reporting.

🔟 Spot red flags early – misaligned incentives, weak controls, legacy issues. Better in month one than month twelve.

Control and influence — that’s the balance every new CFO has to strike. If you’re hiring one, stepping into the role, or advising one — this list is your playbook.

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