What is the primary role of a CFO in a small business?

The primary role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in a small business centers around managing financial strategies, risks, and cash flow. The CFO is responsible for ensuring the organization's financial health by analyzing revenue streams, controlling expenses, and managing the company’s financial planning and analysis. This includes forecasting cash flow needs, making strategic decisions regarding investments, and guiding the business through financial challenges.

In a small business context, the CFO plays a critical role in providing insights based on financial data that support overall business strategy and operations. By overseeing financial risks, the CFO helps to safeguard the business against uncertainties that could affect its viability. This responsibility is particularly important in smaller organizations, where resource constraints may amplify the impact of financial mismanagement.

Other roles mentioned, such as managing marketing strategies, overseeing human resources, or developing product lines and services, while important for the overall operation, do not fall within the primary scope of responsibilities for a CFO. Their focus is specifically on the financial aspects, making option C the most accurate representation of the CFO's role in a small business.