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Inside the Mind of a Strategic CFO

Using his background in corporate planning, Rich Fearon has helped Eaton Corp. cut its auto-industry exposure and boost its involvement in the electrical-efficiency business.

November 5, 2009

There are two routes to becoming a corporate CFO, says Richard Fearon, vice chairman and chief financial and planning officer for Eaton Corp., a $15.4 billion industrial manufacturer.

Twenty years ago, most CFOs came through the accounting and controller route, recalls Fearon. Today, "you'd probably find a more even mix between folks that have come up through the controller and accounting route and folks that have come up through a more general management route," says the executive, a planner and forecaster cut very much from the latter mold. Read more...

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