Transition to CFO role or stay in Comm. Banking?

Background: I'm an SVP in a commercial banking credit role at a medium-sized bank. My job is "fine" and there is nothing intolerable about it except that I am bored to tears doing it. In addition, the firm is going through some growing pains and making poor decisions about how to navigate this path. I have seen this movie before at a previous bank where we went through the same things and made the same mistakes. Given these factors, I had decided a couple weeks ago to start cultivating new options. I am relatively well-compensated for the level of work that I do and I have a great deal of liberty to manage myself.

Situation: I've been approached by one of our clients who is in search of a CFO and I've sat for a couple interviews. This company is relatively young and small (think 5 years old and $50MM in revenues) but has been growing quickly and has the potential to grow further still. They currently do not have a CFO (just a weak controller) and recognize the need for this function if they are to manage the growth into the future. I find the business itself to be interesting and I mesh well with the owner. Taking the job would come with a haircut on compensation, but not an amount that would greatly disrupt my personal financial situation. In addition, there would be some % points of the bottom line as a bonus structure that could make long-term pay equal to or greater than current total compensation.

Dilemma: I'm generally bored and disappointed with my current firm. Do I try to leverage this new offer into something else where I am and just take the paycheck home or do I take the plunge and try something completely different?

3 Comments
 

Think about what you want to do long-term and whether you can accomplish that in your current role or in the new role.

Far beit from me to advise (mid-30s in Corporate Development), but I'd jump -- especially if you're bored. Help grow the business and move on to bigger and better things (or stay there and profit...)

Director of Finance and Corporate Development: 2020 - Present Manager of FP&A and Corporate Development: 2019 - 2020 Corporate Finance, Strategy and Development: 2011 - 2019 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 
Most Helpful

I find it very difficult to see myself in my current role for the long-term. The only reason to stay would be compensation and potential for advancement within the bank. That said, I do not work in the same city as the HQ (and am unwilling to move there) so I will forever be out of the loop on new jobs because we all know banks/corporations are unwilling to embrace the working remote paradigm. I do not think they, if asked, could articulate a long-term plan for me.

If I stayed and took higher compensation but had to keep doing the same job for the intermediate term, I would still be feeling out other options.

What I want to avoid is taking this opportunity because its the first one to come across my desk since I've made this decision. I do think it's actually a good company with good prospects and I'd enjoy the challenge, but still want some food for thought.

"And where we had thought to be alone we shall be with all the world"
 

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