Climbing the Finance Ladder: Lessons from Zimbabwean CFOs
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In the dynamic world of finance, reaching the top as a CFO is a journey marked by dedication, strategic thinking, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Zimbabwean finance leaders have navigated unique paths to leadership, each offering invaluable insights into career growth, effective decision-making, and the evolving role of the finance professional. This article profiles three Zimbabwean CFOs who’ve ascended to leadership roles, shedding light on the lessons they’ve learned and the strategies that have guided them to the top.
Starting at entry-level positions, many finance leaders work through various roles before reaching the CFO position. Each step along the way brings new challenges and learning opportunities. For instance, Joseph Moyo, CFO of a leading agricultural firm, began as a junior accountant, handling tasks that were far removed from executive decision-making. Reflecting on his early career, he says, “Each role taught me a different part of the business. I learned to value the day-to-day work of every team member and understand how even small operational choices impact the larger picture.” For Joseph, one of the most crucial insights was realizing that, as a CFO, numbers alone don’t tell the full story—understanding their impact across every department is what drives success.
For aspiring CFOs, understanding the entire business, beyond finance alone, can build the strategic insight that forms the foundation of effective leadership. “As a young finance professional, I thought my role was only about balancing the books and preparing reports. But over time, I learned that the best finance leaders are those who immerse themselves in all aspects of the business, from operations to sales and even marketing,” says Joseph. He encourages emerging finance professionals to be proactive in learning about the organization’s inner workings, a habit that positions them to make more informed decisions.
Another hallmark of the CFO’s role, particularly in Zimbabwe’s challenging economic landscape, is the ability to navigate organizational change. Sarah Dube, CFO of a major retail company in Zimbabwe, has seen her fair share of instability in the market, especially during her early years in the role. “When I first joined, the company was facing both internal and external pressures that could have derailed our growth,” she recalls. “My immediate priority was to stabilize our finances, but I had to keep our long-term goals in sight as well. It was a delicate balance that required resilience and flexibility.”
Sarah’s journey illustrates how the role of a CFO extends beyond technical skills. Flexibility and quick decision-making have become essential in volatile markets, where changing conditions can impact operations overnight. According to Sarah, finance professionals working in such environments must develop adaptability to make sound decisions in times of crisis. “There were times when it felt like we were adjusting our strategy every month, but as long as we stayed true to our core objectives, we managed to stay on course,” she explains. Her experience highlights the need for finance leaders to focus on sustainable growth while navigating unpredictability, a balancing act that has become even more essential in today’s fast-paced market.
In the modern finance landscape, technology has transformed the way CFOs approach their roles, and for Zimbabwean CFOs, this shift is significant. Tendai Chikowore, CFO at a major tech firm, has witnessed first-hand how the adoption of technology can redefine what a finance team can accomplish. “When we integrated AI into our reporting systems, it was a game-changer. We saved countless hours on routine tasks, which allowed us to focus on more strategic initiatives. It also helped us make data-driven decisions that aligned more closely with our business goals,” says Tendai.
Tendai’s experience underscores the importance of technological adoption in finance leadership. For today’s finance leaders, technology is both a tool and a strategy, offering ways to streamline processes, reduce errors, and make more accurate predictions. Tendai believes that finance leaders who understand and embrace technology gain a competitive edge, as digital tools enable them to contribute to their organizations at a strategic level. He encourages aspiring CFOs to stay updated on the latest tools and trends in finance technology, adding that “a deep understanding of technology doesn’t just add value to the finance team—it elevates the entire business.”
Across the board, Zimbabwean CFOs agree that advancing in finance is a combination of technical expertise and strategic acumen. But beyond skills and experience, the journey to CFO is also marked by soft skills that often distinguish great leaders from good ones. For Sarah, communication and negotiation skills were vital in her journey, especially when working across departments. “A CFO doesn’t work in isolation; you’re constantly interacting with colleagues from other teams, so you need to be a bridge that connects finance with the rest of the organization. That means listening as much as you talk and building consensus around your decisions,” she explains.
For Joseph, the influence of mentors and continuous learning was critical in his ascent. He advises up-and-coming finance professionals to seek mentors who can provide insights that go beyond what’s taught in textbooks. “Having a mentor means learning from someone who’s been where you are and can help you see the bigger picture,” he says. Likewise, Tendai underscores the importance of learning and adapting, especially in a rapidly evolving field like finance. “The finance landscape changes constantly. To stay relevant, you have to be willing to learn continuously, whether through formal education, workshops, or even self-study,” he suggests.
The journeys of Zimbabwean CFOs illustrate that resilience, a holistic business perspective, adaptability, and interpersonal skills are crucial in achieving leadership success. Aspiring finance leaders can take inspiration from these experiences, applying these lessons as they pursue their own paths to growth and success. Each journey is unique, but the core values of dedication, adaptability, and strategic thinking remain essential for those looking to reach the pinnacle of finance leadership.