The path from CFO to CEO avoiding burnout

Reaching chief executive is not straightforward for finance leaders facing multiple legacy operations issues, but as CFOs are promoted to CEO at the fastest rate in a decade, Michelle Stalick, chief accounting officer at BlackLine provides tips and advice on promotion priorities

The path from chief finance officer to the corner office increasingly hinges on an unexpected partner: the chief accounting officer. Driven by the rapid advancement of AI in finance operations, the chief accounting officer is evolving beyond traditional book-closing into a proactive business growth leader alongside the chief financial officer (CFO).

In 2025, 10.26% of sitting CEOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 firms came directly from the CFO role, the highest level of CFO-to-CEO promotions in a decade, according to the latest Crist|Kolder Associates Volatility Report of the Leading Companies.

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