Eligibility Requirements
CFO of the Year Awards
The award honors financial professionals in North Texas for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards.
The award honors financial professionals in North Texas for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards.
Nominees should be either a chief financial officer or hold an equivalent position at a company or organization based in North Texas.
Nominees must be residents of the North Texas area who are employed in the region. They should be established business leaders with a strong record of innovation in their fields, outstanding performance in their businesses and a clear track record of meaningful community involvement.
Nominees must not have previously won this award. Prior CFO of the Year winners are not eligible to win again, but prior finalists may be nominated.
The CFO of the Year Awards are given to the chief financial officers and their teams who deliver the most outstanding performance for their companies. A panel of independent judges, drawn from the region's top financial leaders, will determine the winners based on criteria that will include:
- Demonstrated financial growth during the year
- Success in overcoming significant business challenges or barriers
- Examples of team leadership and superior management
- Other factors may include a chief financial officer's contributions to the community (such as social, nonprofit or charitable giving)
- Demonstrated commitment to the company's financial best practices and accounting standards, or success as a strategic visionary for the enterprise
All honorees will be profiled in a Dallas Business Journal special publication and online. The special publication will be inserted in the October 23 issue of the Dallas Business Journal.
A Judges Reception will be held on Sept. 10 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (location TBD). This provides an exclusive and intimate opportunity for all nominees and judges to interact before the Judges Meeting on Sept. 11. It is strongly suggested that all nominees attend.
Finalists will be required to attend a video shoot prior to the awards event. Videos will be made part of the event presentation and posted on the Dallas Business Journal's website. Location, dates and times will be determined at a later date.
Finalists will also be required to attend the CFO of the Year Awards luncheon on October 22, 2015. Please do not nominate someone who will be on vacation or who will have prior commitments during the time frame of the event.
Frequently asked questions
Whom should I nominate?
You should nominate someone who is an established business leader, who has accomplished specific achievements in the business world in the last 12 to 18 months. We’re looking for quantifiable results and compelling stories to tell our readers. Our nominees are the best and brightest our community has to offer. Yes, you can nominate yourself. And no, multiple nominations for the same person do not enhance the nominee’s chances of being selected as a finalist or winner.
Can I nominate a previous winner?
No. Previous winners of this award are not eligible, but prior finalists may be nominated again. We encourage finalists to participate again, and we have had past finalists become winners in subsequent years.
Why should I nominate someone?
This is a chance to honor a peer or a mentor. This is also an opportunity to share an inspiring story of success with others. If you know someone who serves as an example to you, this is your chance to help share that person’s story with a larger audience.
How are the winners chosen?
Finalists and winners are selected by a panel of judges based on nomination forms. The judges try to select finalists and winners that best represent the award category. The criteria for selection varies with each award, but generally judges are looking for a compelling story about a locally based business leader who has achieved demonstrated success in the past 12 to 18 months.
What makes for a well-done nomination?
Well-done nominations tell a personal story of the nominee’s path to success, obstacles overcome, unique talents, etc. The adage “show, don’t tell” applies here: Use concrete examples to persuade the judges that the nominee has made a mark on the local business community. The best nominations are clear, concise and complete. They include specifics such as dates, dollar amounts and growth rates that substantiate the nominee’s success.
Does the company have to be local?
Yes. Both the company and the nominee need to be based in North Texas.
What do judges look for?
The judges look for inspiring stories from inspiring people. They also look for specific examples from the nominee’s professional life. It is important to “show” the judges rather than “tell” them. For example, “Chris Smith opened six new stores and provided more than $50,000 in scholarship funds last year to local high school students” rather than “Chris Smith grew the business into the best in the area and has helped many students go to college.”
Can I just send you a resume or boilerplate from a press release?
No. We’re looking for stories, and a resume or press release doesn’t tell the whole story. You should include information (education, previous experience, awards) from the resume, but don’t just paste it into the form or attach it in an email. Nominations received in this manner will not be accepted.
How about a link to a website?
Sure. You can include a link to additional information if you want. The judges are not obligated to open the link, but it could prove useful if they have further questions or seek additional information.
The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. CST August 21, 2015.
If you have any questions regarding the nomination process or publication, contact dbjnominations@bizjournals.com
For advertising and sponsorship opportunities, contact Director of Advertising Dave Parsons at dparsons@bizjournals.com