Succeeding as a Strategic CFO—Virtual

... Programs for Individuals Topic-Focused Programs Succeeding as a Strategic CFO—Virtual Overview

... Succeeding as a Strategic CFO—Virtual Overview

Upcoming Session
(1 of 1)

Dates: 01–04 DEC 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

Today's CFOs are not just gatekeepers of a company's financial information; they serve as key strategic partners who must fulfill a broad set of responsibilities. In this virtual program, you will learn what it takes to meet the demands of the CFO role. You will begin to build a robust set of skills in strategy, communication, and leadership that will enable you to drive innovation and lead organizational change.

You may also be interested in the related program: Succeeding as a Strategic CFO.

Summary

You may also be interested in the related program: Succeeding as a Strategic CFO.

Key Benefits

This live online program helps individuals develop the knowledge and capabilities they need to succeed as a modern CFO. In the company of other senior financial leaders, you will discover how to build your skills in key areas, identify blind spots or competency gaps, and gain tools and insights relevant to the CFO role.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Enhance your financial decision-making skills Enhance your financial decision-making skills

Review and practice applying frameworks and tools of value-based management
Learn about financial policies and practices used by other organizations and determine which ones best suit your organization
Formulate processes and understand the key considerations of financial policy decisions

Become a strategic partner to the CEO Become a strategic partner to the CEO

Discover how to formulate, evaluate, and implement strategic choices that are grounded in financial metrics, but not limited to them
Learn how to determine which metrics are most appropriate for your organization
Make crucial choices about investment, divestitures, and the optimization of distinct product and geographic segments
Identify new opportunities to use finance to advance the strategic goals of your organization

Develop your leadership capabilities Develop your leadership capabilities

Lead, motivate, and engage people with expertise different from your own
Oversee processes, such as capital budgeting and managing risk, in an effective manner
Gain confidence in situations outside of your areas of expertise

Strengthen your communication skills Strengthen your communication skills

Improve how you describe your plans and performance results to stakeholders
Become a more effective advocate for actions that create value
Effectively communicate and collaborate with leaders and teams across different functional areas and levels

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 around 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

Enhance your financial decision-making skills

Review and practice applying frameworks and tools of value-based management
Learn about financial policies and practices used by other organizations and determine which ones best suit your organization
Formulate processes and understand the key considerations of financial policy decisions

Become a strategic partner to the CEO

Discover how to formulate, evaluate, and implement strategic choices that are grounded in financial metrics, but not limited to them
Learn how to determine which metrics are most appropriate for your organization
Make crucial choices about investment, divestitures, and the optimization of distinct product and geographic segments
Identify new opportunities to use finance to advance the strategic goals of your organization

Develop your leadership capabilities

Lead, motivate, and engage people with expertise different from your own
Oversee processes, such as capital budgeting and managing risk, in an effective manner
Gain confidence in situations outside of your areas of expertise

Strengthen your communication skills

Improve how you describe your plans and performance results to stakeholders
Become a more effective advocate for actions that create value
Effectively communicate and collaborate with leaders and teams across different functional areas and levels

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around 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

New CFOs who want to enhance their skills
CFOs of smaller or divisional entities who are transitioning to larger entities or evolving CFOs taking on increased responsibilities
Finance professionals—such as analysts, treasurers, controllers, and those in financial planning and analysis—seeking to enhance their strategic acumen
Financial leaders from early-stage companies or technical backgrounds (e.g., digital startups), as well as government and nonprofit financial leaders seeking to be more effective in their roles

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Who Should Attend

New CFOs who want to enhance their skills
CFOs of smaller or divisional entities who are transitioning to larger entities or evolving CFOs taking on increased responsibilities
Finance professionals—such as analysts, treasurers, controllers, and those in financial planning and analysis—seeking to enhance their strategic acumen
Financial leaders from early-stage companies or technical backgrounds (e.g., digital startups), as well as government and nonprofit financial leaders seeking to be more effective in their roles

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 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

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

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

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

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

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

Emphasizing the case study method, this virtual program uses a variety of interactive teaching methods to prepare you for the demands of the CFO role. The program also features sessions with current or retired practitioners who will offer insight on their career paths and share practices that have helped them and their organizations succeed.

What You Will Learn: Emphasizing the case study method, this virtual program uses a variety of interactive teaching methods to prepare you for the demands of the CFO role. The program also features sessions with current or retired practitioners who will offer insight on their career paths and share practices that have helped them and their organizations succeed.

Program Format

The program takes place over four days, with live online classes daily (9:00 AM to 1:30 PM ET, including two 15-minute breaks), and small group discussions for learning and networking. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. You will also have 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. We advise setting aside a total of 1-3 hours per day for program work in addition to the synchronous class sessions.

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Finance Finance

Applying frameworks and tools employed in value-based management
Evaluating the financial policies and practices that firms often use
Analyzing tradeoffs that arise when making and implementing choices with a financial component
Considering potential pitfalls of some approaches to financial management

Strategy Strategy

Using financial tools to illustrate the value implications of alternative strategic choices
Making strategic decisions in pursuit of margins and growth
Linking strategic choices to appropriate financial metrics
Balancing the disciplining aspects of finance with its ability to support innovation
Serving as a trusted strategic partner

Leadership Leadership

Engaging in an introspective analysis of your leadership style and capabilities
Managing and motivating teams of people with deep technical knowledge
Developing a plan for enhancing your leadership skills

Communication Communication

Observing the habits and traits of strong communicators and learning how to incorporate best practices into your own communication style
Developing storytelling skills to better communicate results and plans to employees, investors, and the board of directors
Communicating effectively with different functions and business units

Key Topics

Finance

Applying frameworks and tools employed in value-based management
Evaluating the financial policies and practices that firms often use
Analyzing tradeoffs that arise when making and implementing choices with a financial component
Considering potential pitfalls of some approaches to financial management

Strategy

Using financial tools to illustrate the value implications of alternative strategic choices
Making strategic decisions in pursuit of margins and growth
Linking strategic choices to appropriate financial metrics
Balancing the disciplining aspects of finance with its ability to support innovation
Serving as a trusted strategic partner

Leadership

Engaging in an introspective analysis of your leadership style and capabilities
Managing and motivating teams of people with deep technical knowledge
Developing a plan for enhancing your leadership skills

Communication

Observing the habits and traits of strong communicators and learning how to incorporate best practices into your own communication style
Developing storytelling skills to better communicate results and plans to employees, investors, and the board of directors
Communicating effectively with different functions and business units

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 Chair

C. Fritz Foley

André R. Jakurski 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 Chair

C. Fritz Foley

André R. Jakurski 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.

View In-Person Program Offering

Apply

Download Brochure

Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

View In-Person Program Offering

Apply

Download Brochure

Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us: