CFO’s concerned for their health - especially if you’re male!

(22 October 2012 – Australia) The role of a Chief Financial Officer at a leading Australian corporate is a stressful one, and new research from East & Partners shows just how often CFOs are visiting their doctors.East’s survey of 893 corporate CFO’s in October showed that 77 percent of
respondents said they had had a significant interaction with their medical
practitioner in the past 12 months, with male CFOs rating the seriousness of
their visit much higher than their female peers.

Of the male CFOs interviewed by East, 5.2 percent had paid a medical visit in
the previous month, 7.6 percent within the last three months, 25.3 percent
during the last three-six months while 44 percent noted that their last medical
visit had been six-twelve months ago. Only 8.6 percent of male CFOs have managed
to stay away from their GPs or specialists for longer than twelve months.

The survey results from female CFOs were quite different and in stark contrast
to what their male peers had to say. Only 3.2 percent of female CFOs had paid a
medical visit in the last three months, 16 percent noted three-six months and
24.8 percent in the last year. 43.2 percent of female CFO’s couldn’t even
remember the last time they visited their doctor or specialist.

CFOs were also asked to rank the seriousness of their most recent visit on a
scale of one to five, with one being serious and five not serious at all. The
averaged response from male CFOs was 1.69, while that of female CFOs was 2.49,
right in the middle of the range.

Number of visits to the Doctor




Source: East & Partners Australian Corporate Transaction Banking Markets program
– August 2012

Lachlan Colquhoun, East & Partners’ Head of Markets Analysis commented, “The
research runs contrary to public perceptions about men being reluctant to visit
doctors.”

“It is clear that male CFOs, in particular, are very concerned about their
health levels and are taking steps to have them monitored. Stress is clearly an
occupational hazard for CFOs and perhaps their employers need to be more
cognisant of that. Notably, both NSW male and female CFOs are nearly twice as
likely to visit their medical professional as CFOs in other states, possibly due
to ease of access as much as a heightened concern or interest in health matters.
CFOs in Queensland, by contrast, were least likely to spend time with their
medical provider relative to the national ‘norm’”, Mr Colquhoun added.

About East & Partners’ Australian Corporate Transaction Banking Markets service


A six monthly demand research service focussed on the A$20-530 million turnover
‘middle market’. Consisting of some 11,160 companies the program interviews a
structured sample of 890 plus enterprises twice yearly.

Geographical Distribution

About East & Partners


East & Partners is Asia-Pacific’s leading business banking and advisory firm.
East’s research programs and expertise in the Institutional, Corporate, SME,
Business, Investment and Financial services markets has enabled the firm to work
with virtually every major bank within the region and international clients
based in North America and Europe.

Focusing on the needs and priorities that make every client different, East
devises and implements evidence based strategic action plans that have
measurable return on investment for its clients through the delivery of bespoke,
thought-leadership and demand-side multi-client research programs. This enables
the firm’s clients to execute bullet-proof regional, national and global
strategies based on the “real voice” of thousands of business customer
interviews annually.

Note: Business customer Segments
› Institutional – A$530+ million
› Corporate – A$20-530 million
› SME – A$5-20 million
› Micro – A$1-5 million

For more information or to interview East & Partners, please contact:
Sian Dowling
Marcomms & Client Services
East & Partners
t: +61-2-9004 7848
m: + 61-420 583 553
e: sian.d@eastandpartners.com