IT staffs should be subject to the same financial checks and controls as other departments. The IT manager should report to the CFO on a regular basis, keeping the finance chief informed about on-going projects, expenditures and operational glitches. In addition, the IT department should be responsive to other departments as well. Experts say the IT staff should have a simple system for logging complaints, as well as a point person for dealing with those complaints. Moreover, IT should announce planned system shutdowns via company e-mail, and explain why unexpected crashes occurred.
Good communications goes a long way in soothing illwill between departments.
Technology projects are notorious for running over budget and behind schedule. Therefore, once a CIO submits a budget and a deadline for a project, finance managers would do well to run a few numbers of their own. Tech experts say CFOs should devise a worst-case scenario for all tech projects, doubling the cost and tripling the rollout schedule. If the project still makes sense, then sign off on it. In addition, the project leader should be held accountable for any deficits that may occur.