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Executive Education
    ... Right arrow Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Succeeding as a Strategic CFO—Virtual Right arrow OverviewCurriculumTeaching Team
    ... Right arrow Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Succeeding as a Strategic CFO—Virtual Right arrow OverviewCurriculumTeaching Team
    New Program

    Succeeding as a Strategic CFO—Virtual

    New Program
    Succeeding as a Strategic CFO—Virtual
    • Upcoming Session
    • Carousel left arrow (1 of 1) Carousel right arrow
    • Dates: TBD
    • Format: Virtual
    • Fee: TBD
    • 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.
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    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
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    Print
    • Overview
    • Curriculum
    • Teaching Team
    • Teaching Team Dropdown down
      • Overview
      • Curriculum
      • Teaching Team
    Program Announcement
    The information below is based on the prior program session and does not reflect potential changes to faculty and course content for future program offerings. For a list of upcoming programs, visit our program finder.

    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.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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.

    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 AllCollapse All

    Enhance your financial decision-making skillsEnhance your financial decision-making skills
    Dropdown down
    • 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 CEOBecome a strategic partner to the CEO
    Dropdown down
    • 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 capabilitiesDevelop your leadership capabilities
    Dropdown down
    • 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 skillsStrengthen your communication skills
    Dropdown down
    • 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 networkExpand your personal and professional network
    Dropdown down
    • 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 Dropdown up

    Key Benefits Dropdown down

    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.
    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 Dropdown down

    Who Should Attend Dropdown down

    • 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
    Image/@Alt Play video
    Image/@Alt Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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
    Image/@Alt Play video
    Image/@Alt Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch 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.
    Read More
    Dropdown down

    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 Dropdown down

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    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.

    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.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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.

    Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All

    FinanceFinance
    Dropdown down
    • 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
    StrategyStrategy
    Dropdown down
    • 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
    LeadershipLeadership
    Dropdown down
    • 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
    CommunicationCommunication
    Dropdown down
    • 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 Dropdown up

    Key Topics Dropdown down

    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
    C. Fritz Foley
    C. Fritz Foley

    C. Fritz Foley

    André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Finance

    Read Full Bio

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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
    C. Fritz Foley
    C. Fritz Foley

    C. Fritz Foley

    André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Finance

    Read Full Bio

    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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