Anyone who suspects that finance types can't rock and roll should talk to Jared Poff. The treasurer and vice president of Big Lots, a $4.9 billion closeout retailer, has a side gig playing keyboards and auxiliary percussion with the Debits, a rock and roll cover band composed of long-time friends with whom he used to work in finance at another retailer, Limited Brands.

Jamming on the piano is “a good release,” Poff says, from the rigors of his day job, not to mention those involved in raising four young sons with his wife. Still, playing in the band has its parallels to a treasurer's role. Wrong notes stand out, while true ones blend to make the group even better.

Poff has hit several sweet notes for Big Lots since joining the Columbus, Ohio-based company seven years ago. When he arrived, Big Lots had debt outstanding, no share repurchase program, and cash tied up in the accounts payable line of the balance sheet.