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CFO, also known as Chief Financial Officer gets a monthly salary between Rs.1 crore and Rs.3 crore per year. The salary varies significantly based on experience, industry and location. In larger corporations, CFOs can earn a great salary and more than average salary.
Who is a CFO (Chief Financial Officer)?
A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the top executive in charge of a company's money matters and financial game plan. They keep an eye on key areas like planning the budget managing risks crunching numbers, making investments, and following the rules. A CFO teams up with the CEO and other big shots to make smart choices that boost business growth and profits while keeping the finances steady. In a nutshell, the CFO serves as the financial backbone of the outfit striking a balance between long-term aims and everyday money tasks.
CFO Salary Per Year in India
The table below gives a general overview of CFO salary in India:
| Particulars | Details |
| Average CFO Salary in India | ₹1 crore to ₹3 crore annually. |
| CFO Salary in Tech Industry | ₹1.5 crore and ₹4 crore per year |
| Entry-Level CFO Salary in India | ₹12-25 lakh per year |
| Senior and Experienced CFOs | More than ₹3 crore. |
Important Takeaways
The pay for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in India changes a lot based on their experience, the industry they work in, and how big their company is.
- CFOs take home between ₹1 crore and ₹3 crore each year. But in fast-growing fields like tech, they often make more anywhere from ₹1.5 crore to ₹4 crore.
- CFOs just starting out in smaller companies or at the beginning of their careers, earn less about ₹12–25 lakh per year. '
- On the other hand, CFOs with lots of experience in big corporations can get over ₹3 crore . This high pay shows how important they are in making big decisions and leading the company's finances.
CFO Salary Per Month in India
Tabulated below is a detailed overview of CFO salary per month in India.
Particulars | Details (Per Month in INR) | Insights |
Average CFO Salary | ₹8.3 lakh – ₹25 lakh | Typical range across industries for mid to large companies. |
CFO Salary in Tech Industry | ₹12.5 lakh – ₹33 lakh | Tech and IT companies pay significantly higher due to scale and profitability. |
Entry-Level CFO Salary | ₹1 lakh – ₹2 lakh | Found in smaller firms, startups, or early-career CFOs. |
Senior/Experienced CFOs | ₹25 lakh+ | In top corporations and MNCs, salaries exceed this, often with stock options and bonuses. |
Perks & Benefits | Varies (Bonuses, ESOPs, Profit Sharing) | Total compensation often much higher than fixed salary. |
- Small Corporations / Startups → Entry-level CFOs earn around ₹1 – 2 lakh per month.
- Large Corporations / MNCs → Average CFO salary is ₹8.3 – 25 lakh per month, often higher in tech or finance-heavy industries.
Components of CFO Salary in India
A CFO's pay in India isn't a monthly check. It's a mix of different parts.
The base salary is the sure thing changing based on how big the company is and what industry it's in. CFOs also get bonuses tied to how well they do. These extra payments depend on hitting money goals, making profits, or helping the company grow. Many businesses throw in profit-sharing or commissions too. This happens a lot in areas where the CFO plays a big role in bringing in more money and cutting costs.
In big companies and global firms, CFOs get more than just a paycheck. Their salary package has extras like employee stock plans, retirement funds, health and life coverage, money for travel, and other top-level perks. Long-term rewards such as stock options and yearly bonuses can boost their total pay sometimes making it two or three times their base salary. These add-ons make sure the CFO's goals match up with the company's plans to grow and last for the long haul.
All these parts of a CFO's pay do more than just reward them for their work. They also help to keep these key players focused on making the business succeed over time. By tying some of their earnings to how well the company does, it gives CFOs a real stake in seeing the firm thrive.
CFO Salary by Industry
Industry has a big role in determining the CFO salary in India. Some industries pay more and some industry pay less to entry-level CFOs.
- In BFSI industry, CFOs usually earn between 1 and 3.5 Crore per year.
- In technology industry. salaries can go up to 4 Crore a year.
- In manufacturing industry, CFOs generally earn less, with salaries ranging between 1 and 2.5 Crore per year.
- In Pharma and Healthcare industry, CFO salaries can earn between 1.2 to 2.7 Crore a year.
- In FMCG, CFOs earn between 1 and 3 Crore per annum.
CFO Salary in MNC vs Indian companies
The first modus of remuneration between CFOs in MNCs versus their home-country counterparts is one of disparity in setup and scale.
- In MNCs the CFO gets higher remuneration, broadly in the region of ₹2 crore to ₹5 crore per annum, global exposure, stock options, and performance-linked incentives.
- While Indian companies pay salaries in the range of ₹1 crore to ₹3 crore per annum, with the upper strata and conglomerates capable of competing at MNC levels, Indian Companies emphasize fixed and its annual variable pay in contrast to MNCs, which would put more weight on long-term incentives like ESOPs and international bonuses.
CFO Salary in Smaller Companies/Startups vs Larger Corporations in India (2025)
Get insights from the table below:
Particulars | Smaller Companies / Startups | Larger Companies / Corporations |
Monthly Salary Range | ₹1 lakh – ₹2 lakh | ₹8.3 lakh – ₹25 lakh+ |
Annual Salary Range | ₹12 lakh – ₹25 lakh | ₹1 crore – ₹3 crore+ |
Compensation Structure | Higher fixed pay, limited incentives | Mix of fixed pay, bonuses, ESOPs, and perks |
Growth Opportunities | Faster role expansion but lower pay scale | Slower hierarchy but higher financial rewards |
Perks & Benefits | Basic allowances, limited ESOPs | Comprehensive perks, ESOPs, insurance, bonuses |
Risk Factor | Higher risk due to instability of startups | Lower risk, more financial stability |
Role Scope | More operational, wearing multiple hats | Strategic, governance-focused, global exposure |
10 Key Factors Affecting CFO Salary in India
There are 10 key factors affecting CFO Salary in India by 2025:
- Company Size And Scale – Bigger companies and MNCs pay way more than small firms and startups.
- Industry/Sector – Higher pay is being offered by tech, finance, and FMCG sectors as compared to manufacturing or traditional sectors.
- Experience & Seniority – The more years of experience, paying higher with good track records with achievements.
- Educational Background – Having an MBA, CA, CFA, or foreign qualifications in finance offers good pay.
- Performance & Achievements – Successful fund raising, cost-cutting, M&A, or improvement in profitability aligns earning capacity.
- Company Revenues & Profitability – CFOs in high-revenue, profitable firms can make more from bonuses and incentives.
- Location/City – Metro cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi NCR, pay more than smaller cities.
- Exposure: CFOs with global experience in cross-border finance often command higher salaries.
- Salary Structure: Pay packages for CFOs vary, including base salary, performance bonuses, stock options, and long-term incentives.
- Domain or Industry: Salaries tend to increase in growing industries where skilled CFOs are in demand.
CFO Salary in India by Experience and City
Not only industry, but experience and city classifications substantially. influences CFO salary in India substantially.
Experience Level | Mumbai (Monthly) | Bangalore (Monthly) | Delhi NCR (Monthly) | Other Cities (Monthly) |
Entry-Level CFO | ₹1.5 – ₹2 lakh | ₹1.2 – ₹1.8 lakh | ₹1.2 – ₹1.7 lakh | ₹1 – ₹1.5 lakh |
Mid-Level CFO | ₹6 – ₹12 lakh | ₹5 – ₹10 lakh | ₹5 – ₹9 lakh | ₹4 – ₹8 lakh |
Senior CFO | ₹20 – ₹30 lakh+ | ₹18 – ₹28 lakh+ | ₹15 – ₹25 lakh+ | ₹12 – ₹20 lakh+ |
Highest CFO Salary in India
In India, top CFOs at big corporations and conglomerates can make ₹30 crore or more annually. This includes their base pay, bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. For instance, Tata Sons' CFO, Saurabh Agarwal, reportedly earns around ₹30 crore per year.
Another example is Pathamadai Balachandran Balaji, CFO of Tata Motors, who made ₹16.73 crore in FY23. That made him one of the best-paid CFOs in the Tata Group.
Generally, CFOs in India, especially at large firms or in fast-growing fields, often have base salaries between ₹1 and 4 crore each year. When you add performance bonuses, stock or RSU grants, and other benefits, their total compensation can be much higher.
Tabulated below are some of the top CFO salaries in India:
CFO | Company | Reported / Estimated Annual Compensation | Remarks |
Saurabh Agarwal | Tata Sons | ~ ₹30 crore | Total compensation including all perqs. |
P. B. Balaji | Tata Motors | ~ ₹16.73 crore | FY 2023-24 total package. |
Nilanjan Roy | Infosys | ~ ₹10.61 crore | Includes base + restricted stock units etc. |
Sample CFOs (large corporates) | Various industries | ₹1-4 crore to ₹30+ crore | Depends heavily on industry, scale, performance, equity component. |
Average/typical CFOs | General population | ~ ₹3.7 million/year base; up to ~ ₹9 million in top 10% | Based on Payscale data for CFO roles. |
Note that in many cases the “salary” includes base pay + bonuses + equity/stock options etc., making total compensation much higher than base salary alone.
Essential CFO Qualifications
Most Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) have a formal educational background in finance, accounting, or business administration.
Most executives in business have a Chartered Accountant (CA) degree, Cost Accountant (CMA) degree, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certificate, or even a CA, Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance or advanced business/finance programs.
These programs prepare a prospective CFO on vital and complex aspects of a corporation, such as financial planning, risk assessment, accounting, corporate governance, as well as strategic and advanced decision-making vital to the complex financial obligations of an institution.
How to Become a CFO in India?
Entering the C-level suite is a huge milestone for anyone pursuing a career in finance and accounting.
- Most people willing to take on this role in India usually begin with the fundamentals of business, finance or accounting and work in a corporate setting as a financial analyst, accountant, finance manager, or even controller.
- It is important to gain experience in budgeting, forecasting, risk assessment, and strategic finance in the organization.
- Numerous aspiring applicants pursue specialized certifications in accounting and finance, such as CA, CMA, or CFA, to gain more skills.
Climbing the ladder to a CFO position requires a steady display of leadership, strategic insight, and a solid grasp of business dynamics. - Typically, professionals transition from roles like finance manager or director to positions such as VP of Finance or Finance Head before reaching the CFO level.
- Building a strong network, seeking mentorship, and gaining experience across various business areas can really speed up this journey.
- Plus, working in high-revenue or multinational companies often opens doors to better pay and a wider impact on strategy.
