Coworking with John Heyel

Coworking is a weekly segment where we talk to CFOs and others in the finance space about their experiences, their companies, and the larger economy. Let us know if you are—or you know—a CFO we should interview.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in finance?

Each work day is new and exciting because I wear many hats as a chief financial officer. I’m a part-time fortune teller when forecasting, a part-time scorekeeper when evaluating metrics to make informed data-driven decisions, and a part-time repairman in case something goes wrong.

How do you think the CFO role has changed over the past five to 10 years, both for you, and in general?

CFOs have shifted their risk-management focus. Internal threats to accounts payable and accounts receivable have always been present. However, over the past five years, external threats have dramatically increased, requiring CFOs to have more visibility into the day-to-day operations of their company.

Fraud schemes like vendor impersonations and business email compromise mean that our business’s daily activities now require an investment from the CFO to ensure practices and policies are in place to protect our organization. One small mistake can cost a company millions of dollars.

What's something we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile?

My LinkedIn highlights my professional interest but not much about my personal life. I dabble in lots of hobbies to keep life interesting: cycling, beekeeping, orchids, and music.

What advice do you have for future CFOs?

My advice would be to engage in activities where you can improve problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. All are vital to becoming a successful CFO.

Who’s a CFO you admire or you try to model yourself after?

Gary Perlin, former CFO of Capital One. He was pragmatic and the contrarian voice for the company.

If you weren’t a CFO you would be... ?

In the Navy. I left the Navy after seven years to spend more time with my wife, who served in the Marine Corps, and my family. Ideally, if the military had a program that allowed people to join the service after they are established in their careers, I would do that. Veterans returning to the service could fill management or logistical roles and provide a high level of experience.—DA