CFOs and other financial executives must always keep an eye on the bottom line as well as risk/reward. When you have a top performer, your options are to keep him or her happy and with the company. Cash may be king, but top talent helps a company perform. Three key areas to focus on as reported in Compensation Today are:

1) Compensation: no surprise there, but many companies worry about giving all employees an increase and fail to recognize or compensate outstanding performers. Don't make that mistake.

2) Clear targets: Make sure goals, and incentives tied to them, are clear.

3) Correct compensation info: Get market-based data, not national trends, when determining correct compensation.

For full story CFO corner: retaining top performers