Emerging Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program
Chief financial officers (CFOs) are leading businesses into the future. They serve as strategic business partners, drive financial success, and align functional strategies with larger financial objectives. Strategic thinking, technical leadership, and holistic knowledge of the business have become critical competencies for future finance leaders.
The six-month Emerging Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program from Wharton Executive Education will equip aspiring CFOs to lead strategically, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and manage organizational dynamics. Through the comprehensive curriculum, experienced finance and accounting professionals will learn to lead with a global mindset, cultivate a powerful network for professional growth, and drive initiatives with a vision for the future. At the end of the program, you will be ready to successfully navigate the responsibilities of a future CFO and come away with a personalized action plan that will guide you as you harness new opportunities that move you closer to the C-suite.
Program Highlights
- Cultivate future-ready leadership skills through personalized assessments and evidence-based exercises.
- Create a detailed strategy to evolve your leadership abilities that leads you toward your objective of becoming a CFO.
- Acquire rich, real-world insights into finance and social networking through the expertise of renowned Wharton faculty.
- Expand your professional network through virtual meetups and an on-campus event with a global cohort of peers.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Duration: 6 months
Location:
Online + On Campus*
*Includes a two-day immersion on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, USA
The program fee is US$14,000 and covers teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include accommodation for the on-campus recognition ceremony and networking event, transport expenses (domestic, international, visa fee, and more), and other expenses not specifically mentioned in the fees.
Program Format
The six-month learning journey includes 14 weeks of core leadership knowledge and two specialized phases that will help you develop the skills required for future C-level leadership. The program also offers an optional two-day networking event and recognition ceremony** on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, where you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and build connections with your peers.
Three core modules
(Fourteen weeks)
| Foundations of Effective Leadership | Leading Through Complexity |
| Leading for Long-Term Sustainability and Growth | |
Two specialized phases
| Upskilling Advancement (6 weeks) | Transformation Mindset (4 weeks) |
Two-day on-campus recognition ceremony and networking event
Who Should Attend
The Emerging Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program will help experienced finance and accounting professionals enhance their strategic skills and build leadership competencies to advance in the realm of finance.
The program is ideal for:
- Those working in corporate finance or financial planning and analysis who are looking to drive financial stability, capitalize on new growth opportunities, and enhance their leadership skills to inspire their teams
- Those working in financial accounting who want to gain a broad understanding of corporate finance concepts for financial decision making and develop leadership traits that are essential to becoming a successful financial leader
A minimum of 8 years of professional work experience and fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Delivered in collaboration with program partner Emeritus:
Marissa King, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Alice Y. Hung President’s Distinguished Professor; Professor of Health Care Management; Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Itay Goldstein, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Joel S. Ehrenkranz Family Professor, Professor of Finance, Professor of Economics; Chairperson, Finance Department, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Corporate finance, financial fragility and crises, financial markets
Christopher Geczy, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Adjunct Professor of Finance; Academic Director, Wharton Wealth Management Initiative; Academic Director, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research, The Wharton School
Anthony Landry, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Deputy Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, MBA Program; Adjunct Full Professor of Finance, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, international finance, and international trade and investment
Lindsey D. Cameron, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Assistant Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Mauro Guillén, PhDSee Faculty Bio
William H. Wurster Professor of Multinational Management; Vice Dean, MBA Program for Executives, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Globalization, international political economy, multinational management
Witold Henisz, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Vice Dean and Faculty Director, Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative; Deloitte & Touche Professor of Management in Honor of Russell E. Palmer, former Managing Partner
Research Interests: Political and social risk management; project management; ESG integration; stakeholder engagement
Rahul Kapoor, PhDSee Faculty Bio
David W. Hauck Professor; Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Innovation, technology management and strategy, industry evolution, firm boundaries, business ecosystems
Harbir Singh, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Mack Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Wharton School Faculty Director for the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Corporate governance, corporate restructuring, management buyouts, strategies for corporate acquisitions