No, the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) is not higher than the CEO (Chief Executive Officer). The CEO is the highest-ranking position in an organization.
Organizational Hierarchy: CEO vs. CFO
The reference material clearly establishes a hierarchical difference between these two "Chief" positions.
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer): The top executive; responsible for the overall vision, strategy, and direction of the company. The CEO typically reports to the board of directors.
- CFO (Chief Financial Officer): Responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This includes financial planning, record-keeping, and financial reporting. The CFO generally reports directly to the CEO.
According to the provided reference: CEOs and CFOs are not equal in the organizational hierarchy. Specifically, the reference states: the CEO reports to the board of directors, whereas the CFO reports to the CEO (06-Jan-2024). Therefore, the CEO holds a higher position than the CFO.
In summary, the CEO is at the top of the executive structure, and the CFO is a key member of the executive team who reports directly to the CEO.