CFO turnover remains high in 2024 as the role expands beyond traditional finance

The Global CFO Turnover Index shed one percentage point y-o-y to close 2024 at 15.1% — its second-highest level on record, advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) said in a press release (pdf). Some 54% of outgoing CFOs retired or took board positions, while another 34% took on presidencies or CEO roles.

By the numbers: The S&P 500 turnover spiked to a six-year high at 17.8% with 89 new CFOs, driven by a churn in the tech and industrial sectors. Meanwhile, the FTSE 250 saw the appointment of 25 new CFOs in 2024, dipping by four percentage points y-o-y to 25%, from a record high of 29% in the previous year.

“The changing nature of the CFO role” is the main reason behind the high CFO turnover, RRA argues. The role seems to have expanded well beyond traditional finance and become more complex as CFOs are now expected to deploy AI to increase efficiency, possess a strong understanding of geopolitics, and mediate between boards and investors.

CFOs are also taking over tasks traditionally reserved for COOs, Jenna Fisher, RRA Co-Lead of Global Financial Officers Practice, said. “The CFO has become the de facto COO with more direct reports – whether it’s real estate, facilities, IT or legal – and so the role has become more complex.”

Shifting landscape: The average CFO tenure dropped to 5.8 years in 2024, pulling the average transition/retirement age down to 56.6 years old. A record 70 women were tapped for the role — double the number seen in 2023. Meanwhile, some 60% of new CFOs were first-timers, signalling a trend to rely on younger talents.

Boards are also doubling down on internal talent, which represented 54% of incoming CFOs in 2024. The reason? Internally promoted CFOs tend to stay longer in a company, with an average tenure of 6.5 years, compared to 5.9 years for external hires, according to RRA.

Our neck of the woods is more demanding: “Local market experience is becoming increasingly critical for CFOs in the Middle East. Companies are prioritizing candidates who understand the regional legal framework, regulatory landscape, and unique market dynamics,” Burak Gorbon, RRA Head of Financial Services and Financial Officers Practice, said.

About the index: The Global CFO Turnover Index provides insights on global CFO departures and appointments in publicly traded companies on a quarterly and yearly basis, analyzing trends regarding gender, tenure, and internal/external hires.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are strongly in the green after Trump paused most of his tariffs, with Japan’s Nikkei up 8.4%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng up almost 4%, and Shanghai Composite slightly up at 1.6%. Wall Street futures are indicating an expectedly lower opening after yesterday’s record rally.

THE CLOSING BELL-

The DFM rose 0.1% yesterday on turnover of AED 674.3 mn. The index is down 3.8% YTD.

In the green: Dubai Refreshment Company (+10.7%), Taaleem (+2.9%) and Emirates Reem Investments Company (+2.3%).

In the red: Sukoon Ins. (-10.0%), National Cement (-7.8%) and Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (-4.8%).

Over on the ADX, the index rose 0.9% on turnover of AED 1.5 bn. Meanwhile, Nasdaq Dubai was up 1.2%.

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

Fertiglobe’s shareholders approved plans to repurchase up to 2.5% of its issued shares and distribute a USD 125 mn dividend for 2H 2025, bringing the total for the year to USD 275 mn, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf).

Dubai Ins.’s general assembly approved the distribution of AED 80 mn in dividends for 2024, according to a DFM disclosure (pdf). The paid amount represents 80% of the company’s capital — equivalent to 80 fils per share.

Abu Dhabi National Hotels’ shareholders approved a dividend distribution of AED 567 mn for 2024, according to an ADXdisclosure(pdf).