When you can speak the language of finance, you have the power to build stronger strategies, expand your influence, and make better business decisions. 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.

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. 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.

Key Benefits

By examining corporate finance from both internal and external perspectives, this executive finance 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 living 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 living 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

Participating Companies Have Included:

Akamai

BAE Systems

BASF

BHP Billiton Limited

Christus Health

Coca-Cola

Delta Air Lines

GlaxoSmithKline

Grupo Televisa, S.A.B.

L.L. Bean

Nucor

USAA

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

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

Participating Companies Have Included:

Akamai

BAE Systems

BASF

BHP Billiton Limited

Christus Health

Coca-Cola

Delta Air Lines

GlaxoSmithKline

Grupo Televisa, S.A.B.

L.L. Bean

Nucor

USAA

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Learn More Learn More

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Learn More Learn More

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Learn More Learn More

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Learning and Living at HBS: When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

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.

Admissions Criteria and Process

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, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

What You Will Learn

Through a rich learning experience that includes dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, interactive classroom sessions, and structured and informal group activities that explore the fundamentals of finance for executives, as well as the managerial context in which strategic choices require investor support. Topics include:

What You Will Learn: Through a rich learning experience that includes dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, interactive classroom sessions, and structured and informal group activities that explore the fundamentals of finance for executives, as well as the managerial context in which strategic choices require investor support. Topics include:

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 engage each day with the challenges confronting business leaders around the globe.

Faculty Cochair

C. Fritz Foley

André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration. Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Financial Planning. Member of the Finance Unit; faculty chair of "Succeeding as a Strategic CFO " and faculty cochair of "Finance for Senior Executives."

Read Full Bio

"FSE helps nonfinancial senior executives become big-picture thinkers."

Christopher J. Malloy

Sylvan C. Coleman Professor of Financial Management. Member of the Finance and Entrepreneurial Management Units; faculty cochair of “Building A Legacy: Family Office Wealth Management”; and faculty cochair of "Finance for Senior Executives."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Marco Di Maggio

Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Finance Unit. Faculty cochair of "Leveraging Fintech Innovation to Grow and Compete."

Read Full Bio

E. Scott Mayfield

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Finance Unit.

Read Full Bio

Emily R. McComb

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration in the Finance Unit.

Read Full Bio

Emil N. Siriwardane

Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Finance Unit.

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 engage each day with the challenges confronting business leaders around the globe.

Faculty Cochair

C. Fritz Foley

André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration. Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Financial Planning. Member of the Finance Unit; faculty chair of "Succeeding as a Strategic CFO " and faculty cochair of "Finance for Senior Executives."

Read Full Bio
"FSE helps nonfinancial senior executives become big-picture thinkers."
Read More

Christopher J. Malloy

Sylvan C. Coleman Professor of Financial Management. Member of the Finance and Entrepreneurial Management Units; faculty cochair of “Building A Legacy: Family Office Wealth Management”; and faculty cochair of "Finance for Senior Executives."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Marco Di Maggio

Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Finance Unit. Faculty cochair of "Leveraging Fintech Innovation to Grow and Compete."

Read Full Bio

E. Scott Mayfield

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Finance Unit.

Read Full Bio

Emily R. McComb

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration in the Finance Unit.

Read Full Bio

Emil N. Siriwardane

Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Finance Unit.

Read Full Bio

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More Admissions Information

Program content, dates, fees, 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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