Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Storm4 has gathered an unrivalled database of experienced Chief Of Finance Professionals Who are the stepping stone between profit and long-term success

Storm4 has built an unrivalled database of Chief Financial Officers operating at the sharp end of Clean Energy, Infrastructure, and Mobility. These are finance leaders who sit at the intersection of profit, performance, and long-term impact.

If you’re hiring a Chief Financial Officer to safeguard the financial health of a high-growth CleanTech business, or you’re a CFO ready to accelerate the next generation of climate innovation, Storm4 connects the right leaders to the right missions.

The Chief Finance Officer is a senior executive, responsible for overseeing a company’s financial operations, including its investments, capital structure, and methods for managing its revenue and expenses. On the basis of their financial insights and domain expertise, they offer suggestions on everything from supply chain to marketing, aiding in setting the technology path.

What Is A Chief Financial Officer (CFO)?

The Chief Financial Officer is the strategic and financial backbone of an organization. Sitting at the C-suite level, the CFO oversees all financial operations – from managing cash flow and forecasting growth, to securing funding and guiding the company’s capital allocation strategy.

In CleanTech, this role goes beyond traditional finance leadership. The CFO must ensure that financial performance aligns with impact goals, balancing profit with sustainability. They help scale renewable energy companies, climate technology startups, and infrastructure innovators through capital efficiency, strategic partnerships, and investor relations.

Acting as both a strategic advisor and financial steward, the CFO ensures that every business decision is data-driven, transparent, and aligned with the mission to accelerate the global energy transition.

Key CFO Responsibilities Include:

Carving a leading finance and accounting team
Maintaining revenue and expense balance
Overseeing financial planning & analysis tasks
Recommending mergers and acquisitions
Securing funding
Collaborating with department heads to analyze financial data and create budgets
Certifying the veracity of reports and advising boards of directors and the CEO on strategy

CFO Skills Requirements

To excel as a CFO, professionals must possess a rare blend of financial expertise, strategic acumen, and commercial awareness – coupled with the ability to navigate the fast-changing landscape of the CleanTech sector.

Financial & Technical Skills

Deep understanding of corporate finance, accounting, and financial modeling.
Expertise in capital markets, investor relations, and fundraising strategies.
Strong knowledge of mergers & acquisitions, due diligence, and valuation.
Proficiency with ERP systems, forecasting tools, and data analytics platforms.
Understanding of CleanTech-specific financing models (e.g., project finance, carbon credit markets, or renewable asset valuation).

Leadership & Strategic Skills

Exceptional stakeholder communication and board-level presentation abilities.
Proven ability to balance short-term liquidity with long-term growth objectives.
Skilled in strategic planning, risk management, and performance optimization.
Collaborative leader capable of aligning cross-functional teams behind common goals.
Entrepreneurial mindset – comfortable operating in fast-scaling, investor-backed environments.

CFO Experience Requirements

CleanTech organizations typically seek CFO candidates with:

10–15+ years in finance and accounting leadership roles, with at least 5 years at an executive or VP level.
Proven experience managing fundraising rounds, IPO readiness, or M&A transactions.
Demonstrated success scaling a finance function within high-growth or venture-backed companies.
Experience within CleanTech, EnergyTech, Infrastructure, or SaaS sectors strongly preferred.
A degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business Administration (CPA, CFA, or MBA highly desirable).
Track record of building relationships with investors, boards, and external auditors.

The Chief Financial Officer is one of the most senior and strategic roles within any organization. As a key member of the C-suite, the CFO not only leads all financial activities but also plays a central role in shaping the company’s direction, investment priorities, and growth strategy.

This is a role for seasoned finance executives who have demonstrated commercial leadership, investor trust, and operational excellence. A successful CleanTech CFO combines financial rigor with a deep understanding of how sustainable innovation impacts valuation and profitability.

CFO Salary Expectations

As a C-Suite leaderAs one of the most critical members of the C-suite, Chief Financial Officers are among the highest earners in an organization, with compensation typically consisting of a base salary, performance-related bonuses, and equity options.

While salaries vary by sector, funding stage, and company size, CFOs in CleanTech markets can generally expect competitive six-figure packages reflective of their seniority and impact, with an average range being around $260,000 – $320,000 for 2026.

For detailed benchmarks and regional comparisons, download Storm4’s latest U.S. CleanTech Salary Guide.

Download US CleanTech Salary Guides

CFO Organization Hierarchy

The CFO typically reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serves as a key advisor to the Board and investors. They oversee the entire finance function and play a central role in aligning business growth with financial sustainability.

The CFO collaborates closely with the CEO, COO, CTO, and CPO, ensuring that financial resources are effectively deployed to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and profitability.

CTO Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

CTO Direct Reports:

VP of Finance / Head of Finance
Financial Controller / Accounting Manager
FP&A Lead
Head of Investor Relations
Head of Legal / Compliance (depending on company structure)

Example CFO Job Description

When hiring a Chief Financial Officer, the job description should reflect both the strategic leadership and financial stewardship expected of the role. It should communicate the organization’s mission, funding stage, and the impact the CFO will have in enabling growth and sustainability.

Below is an example of how a compelling CFO job description for a Clean Energy company might look:

⚡ Role: Chief Financial Officer

💼 Industry: CleanTech | Electric Vehicle Charging

🌎 Location: Boston, MA or Remote

💰 Salary: Competitive base salary based on experience, starting at $175k + Equity + Bonus

This major CleanTech Charging company is looking for their next CFO. You will be a key leader as you tackle climate change. This company focuses on developing and deploying Electric Vehicle Charging solutions for leading global automotive OEMs. Come join a growing team of world-class accountants and help keep development of the next generation of turnkey charging systems on track and on budget.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for financial strategy, financial planning and analysis, financial reports, company audits, compliance, and bank relationships. They will collaborate with the CEO and the executive team to make decisions regarding the company’s financial strategy and operations. The candidate will possess a strong background in finance and management.

Responsibilities:

Create and present financial and tax strategy recommendations to CEO
Support the financial planning and analysis efforts
Oversee cash flow, cash management, working capital, and company audits
Prepare financial statements and reports
Ensure legal compliance on all financial functions
Manage relationships with banks

Qualifications:

Strong finance-based analytical skills
7 – 10 years’ of finance experience
CPA or MBA preferred but not required
Experience in EV Sector

Why Apply?

Full health benefits, including dental and vision, 401k, share options, bonuses.

A company with long term outlook – come grow and develop professionally

Lead your colleagues to solving this generation’s biggest questions

The Climate Crisis is real – come be a part of the solution

📧 Sounds like you? Please click on the ‘Apply’ button. You can also send your resume directly to recruiter@cleantech-org.com

CFO Hiring Process

Hiring a CFO is a mission-critical decision that requires careful evaluation of both technical competence and leadership alignment. The process is typically structured as follows:

Initial Consultation: Define ideal candidate profile and core competencies with the CEO and Board.
Profile Sourcing: Identify proven CFOs or senior finance leaders from relevant industries.
Preliminary Screening: Assess financial expertise, sector experience, and cultural fit.
Panel Interviews: Combine technical deep dives (financial strategy, fundraising) with leadership and scenario assessments.
Executive Interviews: Final round focused on strategic alignment, investor communication, and leadership philosophy.
Offer & Negotiation: Confirm package, equity, and performance structure in line with company growth stage.

Speak To A Recruitment Consultant

CFO Interview Questions

Interviewing a Chief Financial Officer should explore financial rigor, strategic insight, and the ability to guide a business through scaling, investment, and risk.

The following questions help hiring teams assess key competencies across four dimensions:

Financial & Strategic Questions

How do you approach balancing short-term liquidity with long-term strategic investments?
Describe a time you led a successful fundraising or capital restructuring initiative – what were the key challenges?
What’s your process for evaluating mergers or acquisitions in a high-growth environment?
How do you ensure financial strategies are aligned with company mission and stakeholder expectations?

Industry-Specific Questions

How do you approach financing for capital-intensive CleanTech projects (e.g., solar, EV infrastructure)?
What trends in ESG reporting or green finance do you believe will most affect CleanTech companies in the next 5 years?
How have you navigated government incentives or regulatory frameworks related to renewable energy?
What’s your experience managing project finance, carbon credit markets, or sustainability-linked funding?

Leadership & Culture Questions

How do you foster collaboration between finance and non-finance teams to drive business performance?
Describe your leadership style – how do you build and mentor a high-performing finance function?
How do you manage communication between investors, boards, and internal teams?
What steps do you take to ensure transparency and accountability across all financial operations?

Experience & Background Questions

What has been the most challenging financial transformation you’ve led, and what was the outcome?
How have you supported IPO readiness, investor relations, or major financing rounds in previous roles?
Tell us about a time you guided a company through financial instability or downturn – how did you adapt?
What motivated your move into the CleanTech or sustainability space, and how does it influence your financial strategy?