Finance Education Series · Companion Reference
The Finance Function,
Mapped
Org Charts, Roles, and What Everyone Actually Does · Version 3.1 · Complete · September 2026
A practical, organisational reference companion to the Global Economy Masterpiece Edition and The Practitioner’s Codex — mapping exactly how the finance department is structured under the CFO across different types of firms, and what every role in it actually does at a day-to-day, practical level. 22 chapters. Click any part below to jump straight there.
Part A
The CFO Role Itself
Part B
Org Charts by Firm Type
Part C
Role-by-Role Deep Dives
5. The Controller: The Person Who Owns the Mechanical Accuracy of the Books
6. The Treasurer: Making Sure the Company Never Runs Out of Cash
7. The Head of FP&A: Turning Historical Numbers Into Forward-Looking Business Decisions
8. The Head of Investor Relations: The Company’s Continuous Channel to Shareholders and Analysts
9. The Head of Internal Audit: The Organization’s Own Independent Check on Its Controls
10. The Tax Director: Balancing Tax Efficiency Against Compliance Risk Across Every Jurisdiction
11. The Chief Risk Officer: Why This Role Looks Different at a Bank Than at a Corporate
12. The Head of M&A / Corporate Development: Identifying, Evaluating, and Executing Deals
13. The Head of Revenue Operations: Owning the Quote-to-Cash Process at a SaaS Company
14. The Head of Stock Plan Administration: Managing RSUs, Options, and ESOPs
15. The Chief Actuary: Estimating What an Insurer Will Eventually Have to Pay Out
16. The Head of Fund Accounting: The Controller Function, Applied Fund by Fund
17. The Head of Portfolio Valuation: Pricing a Fund’s Illiquid Holdings Without a Public Market
18. The Chief Compliance Officer: Managing Fee Disclosure, Conflicts, and Marketing Rules
19. The Head of Regulatory Capital & Reporting: Basel III Capital Adequacy, Explained
20. The Head of Investment Management: Investing an Insurer’s Assets Against Its Liabilities