The CFO and the IT Organization

Recently I was reading a Blog titled: "What makes a CFO uniquely qualified to be heading up IT? - You can read the Blog here

The discussion in that Blog is mainly focused on large Organizations where there is a full spectrum of C-level executives, and although my experience is with medium size Companies where there is not a C-Level structure, I still have the same question:

Who should the IT Organization be reporting to?

Before this question is answered, we have to understand how the Senior Management perceives the role of Information Technology in their specific Organizations

Either

A cost center where IT plays a reactive role and it's not viewed as a Strategic partner

Or

Brings value to the Organization, It's a strategic partner to the business and helps bring value to it.

If Senior Management has a misunderstanding of IT as part of the business, it really doesn't matter who the IT function reports to, IT will never be more that what was stated earlier – A cost center.
On the other hand, if Management understands the strategic place of Information Technology in helping a Company achieve its business goals and generate value, The IT function should report to an Executive that understands that vision.

In conclusion:

- It's very important to have the proper Organization Structure in regards to Information Technology.
- Management has to involve Information Technology with the Company's strategic plans.

Only them you will unleash IT value.