The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is every company's linchpin. But CFOs are struggling in today's environment, to put it mildly. There isn't a great deal of capital floating around with which to finance operations or new ventures. Our labour market is decidedly unfriendly. And the role of the CFO itself is evolving at a rate that frightens many of them – with good reason. Some top local CFOs and CIOs weighed in on their experiences as financial executives in South Africa today. According to Laurandi Kriel, CFO of Fintech, access to capital is a nasty and current problem.

"Access to capital is getting more difficult," she says. "Basel III regulations mean there's more regulatory compliance required. You have to go to banks' credit committees if you want capital."