Charles Austin graduated from a prestigious business school and took a job in a public accounting firm in Atlanta. A client hired him after five years of normal progress through the ranks of the accounting firm. This client was a rapidly growing, publicly held company that produced software for the healthcare industry. Charles started as assistant controller. The company promoted him to controller after four years. This was a timely promotion. Charles had learned a lot and was prepared to be controller. Within a few months of his promotion to controller, the company's chief financial officer abruptly quit. Upon submitting her resignation, she walked into Charles's office and said, "I have given Holmes (the company president) my letter of resignation. I'll be out of my office in less than an hour. You will be the new chief financial officer, and you will report directly to Holmes. Here is my card with my personal cell phone number. Call me if you need any advice or if I can help you in any way." Charles was in over his head in his new job. His experience had not prepared him for the range of responsibilities required of the company's chief financial officer