A CFO can significantly contribute to a company's growth and profitability through various ways:

1. Strategic Planning: CFOs can provide strategic financial insight to shape the company's future direction. They identify investment opportunities, mergers and acquisitions, new markets to enter, and business models to pursue.
2. Financial Management: They ensure efficient use of resources and implement cost-saving measures. By analyzing the company's financial performance, they can identify areas of wastage, suggest improvements, and drive operational efficiency.
3. Risk Management: CFOs play a key role in identifying, assessing, and managing financial and business risks. By doing so, they can prevent losses, safeguard the company's assets, and ensure the company's sustainability in the long term.
4. Investor Relations: CFOs often communicate with investors and shareholders, presenting a clear and optimistic vision of the company's future. They can attract more investment, leading to increased financial resources for growth.
5. Data-Driven Decision Making: By harnessing financial and non-financial data, CFOs can drive strategic decisions based on analytics and business intelligence. This can lead to improved efficiency, profitability, and growth.
6. Capital Structure Management: A CFO determines the best mix of debt, equity, and internal financing. By optimizing the capital structure, they can reduce the cost of capital and increase the company's value.
7. Innovation and Transformation: In the digital age, CFOs are often involved in driving technological innovation, such as automation, AI, and digital transformation initiatives. These can create efficiencies, improve profitability, and provide new avenues for growth.
8. Talent Development: CFOs help develop financial acumen across the company and build a high-performing finance team. This talent pool can be a significant driver of company performance and growth.

In summary, a CFO contributes to a company's growth and profitability by blending their traditional finance duties with a broader strategic and operational role.