Most of my life, and until quite recently, I have always unconsciously felt like there were many levels that separated the two positions within a company.

A few weeks ago, I altered my reasoning and actually found a number of similarities between the two responsibilities.

Each answers to a higher power to whom they serve and are subservient to them.  Both are charged with protecting the assets of the company while being expense-conscious.

Both contract with and monitor outside contractors; i.e. the CFO with their bank, payroll vendor, and other suppliers with which there were negotiations in selecting. Same goes for the fleet manager who must deal with a fleet management firm, and/or a remarketing, safety, or other supplier.

While the CFO is tasked with the financial welfare of all associates, the fleet manager may have dozens or hundreds of drivers who look to him/her for interpreting the company's policies, their safety, and a myriad of management support.

My question now is why does the ordinary outsider (as did I until very recently) view the CFO as far more superior in every way? Why does executive management do the same thing? Where are we going wrong in crusading for this understanding?

About the author
Ed Bobit

Ed Bobit

Former Editor & Publisher

With more than 50 years in the fleet industry, Ed Bobit, former Automotive Fleet editor and publisher, reflected on issues affecting today’s fleets in his blog. He drew insight from his own experiences in the field and offered a perspective similar to that of a sports coach guiding his players.

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