India, Oct. 23 -- Getting an acquisition across the finish line can take months of negotiations, due diligence, paperwork and financial scrutiny. But closing the deal is only half the battle. The real challenge comes when you integrate the business, unlock synergies, and deliver the value that justified the deal in the first place.

Much of this heavy lifting falls on CFOs, who are expected to go beyond balancing the books to evaluate acquisition targets, assess financial risks, structure deals and ensure the business derives long-term value from the transaction.

This is part of a broader shift in the CFO's role, from financial oversight to strategic decision-making. Whether determining how to extract value from an acquisition or assessi...