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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What You Will Learn
Emphasizing the case study method, this 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.
Emphasizing the case study method, this 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.
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.
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.
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.
"The goal of this program is to help "emerging CFOs" to start rounding out the skills they need to be successful."
