Earlier this week, the Association for Financial Professionals released its "2013 AFP Compensation Report," which tabulates the results of a survey of more than 2,700 finance professionals throughout the United States. Respondents across the board reported increases in their base salaries from January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2013. Those at the executive level earned the largest increase—3.8 percent, on average, vs. 3.5 percent for managers and 3.1 percent for finance staff. CFOs and treasurers each saw an average increase of 4.3 percent in their base salary.

In addition to their base salaries, 73 percent of this year's survey respondents reported that their company provides incentive-based compensation bonuses for finance executives, managers, and/or staff. Among the companies that offer incentive pay, 98 percent give cash bonuses and 34 percent give stock-option bonuses.