In summary, a CEO is the highest-ranking official in a company, responsible for formulating business objectives and making strategic decisions, while a CFO is an executive in charge of a company‘s financial operations. The CEO reports to the company‘s board of directors and focuses externally, collaborating with investors and partners, while the CFO reports to the CEO and board of directors and has an internal financial focus. The average salary for a CEO is $796,134 per year, while the average salary for a CFO is $415,427 per year.