Healthcare CFO compensation: salaries grow, but gains unequal.

A recent HFMA survey finds that chief financial officers of healthcare organizations today receive higher levels of compensation than ever before, though quite likely they are required to do more to earn it. The 1999 survey found average annual cash compensation to be $111,200--an 11 percent increase over the $99,900 respondents reported in a similar 1995 HFMA-sponsored poll. Increasing merger and acquisition activity since the 1995 study was conducted, however, has resulted in more CFOs assuming greater levels or responsibility in ever-larger organizations. The survey found factors influencing CFO compensation include the individual's experience, supervisory responsibilities, eligibility for bonus or profit sharing, education, gender, and CPA certification. The size of the CFO's organization and its geographic location also had an effect on compensation.