Executive Education
    ... Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Succeeding as a Strategic CFO Right arrow Overview
    ... Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Succeeding as a Strategic CFO Right arrow Overview

    Succeeding as a Strategic CFO

    Succeeding as a Strategic CFO
    C. Fritz Foley

    "The goal of this program is to help "emerging CFOs" to start rounding out the skills they need to be successful."

    C. Fritz Foley
    Faculty Cochair
    Learn More
    Apply
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    C. Fritz Foley

    "The goal of this program is to help "emerging CFOs" to start rounding out the skills they need to be successful."

    C. Fritz Foley
    Faculty Cochair
    Learn More
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

    Summary

    As capital markets and organizational strategies have evolved, so has the role of the chief financial officer (CFO). 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 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.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    Summary

    As capital markets and organizational strategies have evolved, so has the role of the chief financial officer (CFO). 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 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.

    Key Benefits
    This 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.

    DetailsCollapse 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 living 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 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 living 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 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    Play video
    Play video
    Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
    See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
    Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video

    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 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    Play video
    Play video
    Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
    See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
    Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video

    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.

    Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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.

    Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

    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, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests 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.

    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, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests 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.
    ApplyDownload Brochure
    ApplyDownload Brochure
    ApplyDownload 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.
    C. Fritz Foley

    "The goal of this program is to help "emerging CFOs" to start rounding out the skills they need to be successful."

    C. Fritz Foley
    Faculty Cochair
    Learn More
    Apply
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    C. Fritz Foley

    "The goal of this program is to help "emerging CFOs" to start rounding out the skills they need to be successful."

    C. Fritz Foley
    Faculty Cochair
    Learn More
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    Related Programs
    Finance for Senior Executives
    Date TBD
    Format Blended Blended programs combine both in-person and virtual learning.
    Location Virtual, HBS Campus
    Leveraging Fintech Innovation to Grow and Compete
    Date TBD
    Format In-Person
    Location HBS Campus