... Programs for Individuals Topic-Focused Programs Finance for Senior Executives—Virtual Overview

... Finance for Senior Executives—Virtual Overview

Upcoming Session
(1 of 1)

Dates: 10–26 FEB 2021
Format: Virtual
Fee: $7,500

The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials.

This program includes live online classes, self-paced work, discussion groups, and virtual networking. Download brochure for detailed schedule.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Summary

When you can speak the language of finance, you have the power to build stronger strategies, expand your influence, and make better business decisions. In a live online format, Finance for Senior Executives delivers a foundation in corporate finance that is essential for leaders across every functional area. Exploring the flow of financial resources, capital markets, and systems for financial management and control, this executive finance program positions you to drive new levels of profitability for your organization.

You may also be interested in the related in-person program: Finance for Senior Executives.

Summary

You may also be interested in the related in-person program: Finance for Senior Executives.

Key Benefits

By examining corporate finance from both internal and external perspectives, this virtual program provides a solid grounding in the fundamentals of finance. You will build the skills and confidence to immediately apply financial analysis techniques, set realistic performance goals and compensation incentives, and play a bigger role in helping your company optimize its financial resources and strengthen its bottom line.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Apply strategic financial insight Apply strategic financial insight

Make informed strategic decisions regarding capital structure
Utilize capital markets for the most profitable outcomes
Balance profit, growth, and control in dynamic environments
Implement restructuring strategies
Understand the implications of financial reports

Establish optimal systems for management and control Establish optimal systems for management and control

Develop successful and realistic performance plans, incentives, and financial controls at corporate and divisional levels
Recognize and address biases within financial systems and structures
Identify the best performance metrics
Forecast and monitor outcomes with greater confidence

Improve collaboration with senior-level peers Improve collaboration with senior-level peers

Become a more effective leader through greater financial acumen
Communicate effectively about finance with executives from all functional areas
Engage in more productive discussions with financial specialists in your organization and ask the right questions
Address the concerns of colleagues who are not financial specialists and present information in ways that support their decision-making

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits

Details

Apply strategic financial insight

Make informed strategic decisions regarding capital structure
Utilize capital markets for the most profitable outcomes
Balance profit, growth, and control in dynamic environments
Implement restructuring strategies
Understand the implications of financial reports

Establish optimal systems for management and control

Develop successful and realistic performance plans, incentives, and financial controls at corporate and divisional levels
Recognize and address biases within financial systems and structures
Identify the best performance metrics
Forecast and monitor outcomes with greater confidence

Improve collaboration with senior-level peers

Become a more effective leader through greater financial acumen
Communicate effectively about finance with executives from all functional areas
Engage in more productive discussions with financial specialists in your organization and ask the right questions
Address the concerns of colleagues who are not financial specialists and present information in ways that support their decision-making

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

Executives from a variety of functional areas, including operations, marketing, information technology, human resources, research and development, legal affairs, and financial administration
Financial executives seeking to update their core skills in a broad strategic context

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Who Should Attend

Executives from a variety of functional areas, including operations, marketing, information technology, human resources, research and development, legal affairs, and financial administration
Financial executives seeking to update their core skills in a broad strategic context

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Leaders in Virtual Learning

When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

head and shoulder images of people in polygon shapes connected to a laptop with the HBS shield in the center

Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations

Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.

Learn More

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Youngme Moon teaching in the HBSonline studio

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Leaders in Virtual Learning: When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations

Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.

Learn More

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 14 days before the program start date to receive a full refund. Cancellations received 7 to 14 days before the program start date are subject to a payment of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests received within 7 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Your rich learning experience includes dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, virtual classroom sessions, and structured virtual group activities. Throughout the program, you will explore finance fundamentals essential for today's executives, as well as the managerial context in which strategic choices require investor support.

What You Will Learn: Your rich learning experience includes dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, virtual classroom sessions, and structured virtual group activities. Throughout the program, you will explore finance fundamentals essential for today's executives, as well as the managerial context in which strategic choices require investor support.

Program Format

The program takes place over three weeks, with live, synchronous classes from 11:00 to 2:30 PM ET Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, which includes a 30-minute break. Optional networking and faculty engagement sessions are also available on select days in the afternoon.

Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. Participants can expect to spend three hours per week in virtual discussion groups and five hours per week for asynchronous, self-paced work. There is also ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups.

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

The role and tools of finance The role and tools of finance

Understanding the role of finance in supporting the functional areas of a firm
Employing basic analytical skills and the principles of corporate finance
Applying standard analysis techniques, including capital budgeting, cash flow, valuation, and risk analysis

Performance and compensation Performance and compensation

Establishing and monitoring executive compensation policies
Setting performance goals and incentives
Using diagnostic and interactive control systems to achieve objectives

Capital markets and financial institutions Capital markets and financial institutions

Working with capital markets and financial institutions
Examining best practices for maximizing available resources
Understanding the implications of recent market developments

Growth, profit, and investors Growth, profit, and investors

Analyzing the pursuit of margin and growth, and their respective returns
Understanding the decision-making processes of corporate managers, stockholders, creditors, unions, financial advisors, investors, and turnaround specialists
Managing corporate distributions—including cash, property, and stock dividends—within the context of redemptions and liquidations
Restructuring and strategically employing valuation and financial analysis
Mastering the theory and best practices related to profit planning, strategic profitability analysis, resource allocation, residual income techniques, and performance scorecards

Key Topics

The role and tools of finance

Understanding the role of finance in supporting the functional areas of a firm
Employing basic analytical skills and the principles of corporate finance
Applying standard analysis techniques, including capital budgeting, cash flow, valuation, and risk analysis

Performance and compensation

Establishing and monitoring executive compensation policies
Setting performance goals and incentives
Using diagnostic and interactive control systems to achieve objectives

Capital markets and financial institutions

Working with capital markets and financial institutions
Examining best practices for maximizing available resources
Understanding the implications of recent market developments

Growth, profit, and investors

Analyzing the pursuit of margin and growth, and their respective returns
Understanding the decision-making processes of corporate managers, stockholders, creditors, unions, financial advisors, investors, and turnaround specialists
Managing corporate distributions—including cash, property, and stock dividends—within the context of redemptions and liquidations
Restructuring and strategically employing valuation and financial analysis
Mastering the theory and best practices related to profit planning, strategic profitability analysis, resource allocation, residual income techniques, and performance scorecards

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

C. Fritz Foley

André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Finance

Read Full Bio

W. Carl Kester

George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Finance

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

C. Fritz Foley

André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Finance

Read Full Bio

W. Carl Kester

George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Finance

Read Full Bio

Apply Download Brochure

More Admissions Information

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

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Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

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