The full form of CEO is Chief Executive Officer.

A CEO, which stands for Chief Executive Officer, is the highest-ranking individual in a company or organization. The CEO is responsible for the overall success of a business entity or other organization and for making top-level managerial decisions. They may ask for input on major decisions, but they are the ultimate authority in making final decisions. There are other titles for CEOs, such as chief executive, president, and managing director.

The Chief Executive Officer reports directly to, and is accountable to, the Board of Directors for the performance of a company. The Board of Directors (BoD) is a group of individuals who are elected to represent the shareholders of the company. The CEO often sits on the board and, in some cases, she or he is the chairperson.

In addition to the overall success of an organization or company, the CEO is responsible for leading the development and execution of long-term strategies, with the goal of increasing shareholder value.

The roles and responsibilities of a CEO vary from one company to another, often depending on the organizational structure and/or size of the company. In smaller companies, the CEO takes on a more “hands-on role”, such as making lower-level business decisions (e.g., hiring of staff). In larger companies, he or she usually only deals with high-level corporate strategy and major company decisions. Other tasks are delegated to managers or departments.

There is no standardized list of the roles and responsibilities of a chief executive officer. The typical duties, responsibilities, and job description of a CEO include:

1. Communicating, on behalf of the company, with shareholders, government entities, and the public
2. Leading the development of the company’s short- and long-term strategy
3. Creating and implementing the company or organization’s vision and mission
4. Evaluating the work of other executive leaders within the company, including directors, vice presidents, and presidents
5. Maintaining awareness of the competitive market landscape, expansion opportunities, industry developments, etc.
6. Ensuring that the company maintains high social responsibility wherever it does business
7. Assessing risks to the company and ensuring they are monitored and minimized
8. Setting strategic goals and making sure they are measurable and describable

A CEO’s salary can vary greatly depending on the industry, location, experience, and employer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects salary data for CEOs across the country:

• Median Annual Salary: $189,600
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $208,000 
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: $68,360