As soon as you go from solo programmer to building a team, you need to be aware of these financial issues. How to structure equity and compensation are fundamental issues faced by all founders. Focusing on the details may not be necessary, but if you don't at least understand the basics of the financial side - which are not hard - it will be hard to build a company.

PS. I don't think it's fair to call him a "financial guy" based on one post.