Business Acumen for Executives

Get an introduction to finance and accounting for managers — from learning to evaluate financial statements to understanding how organizations make investment decisions — and the link between strategic decision making and finance.

• Distinguish between the components of key financial statements

• Interpret the financial statements of an organization to determine financial health

• Analyze the impact of a project or investment by applying the time value of money

• Deconstruct cash flow assumptions using discounted cash flows

• Compare different methods used by organizations to make investment decisions

Recognize the importance of building a strategy and aligning management around it to attract, develop, and retain top talent while maintaining diversity in your organization.

• Identify the essential components of a talent strategy

• Evaluate practices for hiring top talent

• Develop employees' skills to help them reach their potential

• Examine the future potential of your workforce

• Build strategies for attracting and retaining a diverse workforce

Gain a deeper understanding of customers, the consumer decision-making processes, and the management of consumer experience and journey.

• Identify a customer's marketing segment by mapping their journey

• Examine the best methods for collecting data about customers on their journey

• Learn how to interact with customers in multiple channels over time

• Determine the best ways to utilize the lifetime value of a customer for marketing 

Discover what is possible with big data, analytics, machine learning, and AI. Learn how descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics approaches can inform business decisions and automate processes in organizations.

• Evaluate an organization's preparedness for leveraging data analytics

• Identify critical data concerns for an organization's data initiatives

• Identify decisions to test and learn and the associated hurdles in an organization

• Assess customer-centric approaches for data use across industries

Understand yourself as a leader, identify your unique leadership style, and develop personal leadership skills essential to growth, including negotiation, influence, effective communication, team building, network building, and executive presence.

• Recognize leadership attributes and characteristics

• Identify the attributes that motivate employees in the workplace

• Examine the factors that drive employee engagement

• Determine the cause of missed leadership opportunities

How much time is required each week?

Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.

How will my time be spent?

We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:

• Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty

• Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule

• Reading or engaging with examples of core topics

• Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities

• Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers

• Completing your final project, if required

The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.

What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

More than 350,000 learners across 80 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.

How do I interact with other program participants?

Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.

What type of certificate will I receive?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.

The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.

Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.

How long will I have access to the learning materials?

You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.

Do I need to be online to access the program content?

Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.

What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

• Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).

• Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.

I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.

How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.

Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.

How can I obtain a W9 form?

Please connect with us via email for assistance.

Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.

Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?

Program fees for Emeritus programs with Wharton Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.

What is the program refund and deferral policy?

For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.

The Business Acumen for Executives program from Wharton Executive Education is designed to build business acumen, strengthen business understanding, and provide a structured approach to business acumen training. It introduces professionals to key business functions and concepts that define how modern organizations operate.

The program helps participants develop a deeper understanding of how business works, enabling them to contribute to successful organizations and align decisions with evolving business goals in a dynamic business environment.

The best program is one that helps you build skills needed to understand the business model, align decisions with business strategy, and drive impact across functions. The Wharton Business Acumen for Executives program enables you to develop effective strategies and apply them across business operations, ensuring better alignment with strategic initiatives and overall organizational value creation.

The fee for the Business Acumen for Executives program is listed on the program page and includes faculty-led learning; structured content; and practical applications focused on finance, financial, and interpreting financial statements and financial reports. Flexible options may support participants investing in their professional development and expanding their capabilities through continuous learning.

Yes, a business acumen course helps build leadership, strengthen interpersonal skills, and improve communication across teams. It enables professionals to align decisions with business goals and improve performance across business operations. The program helps you develop confidence, apply frameworks in real-world contexts, and enhance your ability to lead within companies and across leadership teams.

The program is suitable for professionals with experience in marketing, sales, operations, or general management. It is ideal for those with functional expertise who want to expand their perspective and collaborate with cross-functional leaders. Participants gain a foundational concepts base and build a deeper understanding of how different functions connect to drive growth across the organization.

You can build business acumen through structured training, practical exposure, and continuous learning. The Business Acumen for Executives program introduces key concepts, supports problem-solving, and builds confidence in navigating business challenges.

It also emphasizes data collection, data analysis, and data analytics to support data-driven decision making and improve outcomes across business situations.

Choosing the right program depends on your goals, whether it is improving strategy, enhancing skills, or building cross-functional expertise. Look for a program that focuses on process, real-world application, and measurable outcomes.

The Wharton Business Acumen for Executives program enables you to explore, identify, and apply insights that improve decision making and align with evolving business environment needs.

Training for leadership requires building emotional intelligence, strengthening interpersonal skills, and developing the ability to guide teams toward shared goals. The program prepares you for leadership positions by helping you engage with teams, improve decision making, and contribute effectively to leadership teams across functions.

A business acumen program helps professionals understand how business functions connect through business intelligence, data analytics, and structured decision-making frameworks. It enables better business decisions, supports business strategy, and improves how professionals contribute to the success of their organizations.

A business acumen course is beneficial for professionals across functions who want to strengthen their understanding of how organizations operate and make more informed, strategic decisions. It is particularly valuable for managers, functional specialists, and emerging leaders who are looking to move beyond their domain expertise, interpret financial and operational data, and contribute more effectively to business outcomes.

The Business Acumen for Executives program from Wharton Executive Education is designed to support this transition by helping participants build cross-functional knowledge across strategy, finance, and operations. Through practical frameworks and real-world applications, the program enables you to enhance decision-making, align initiatives with business goals, and drive meaningful impact within your organization.

Choose a program that helps you build skills, improve communication, and strengthen your ability to lead in a complex business environment.

The Wharton Business Acumen for Executives program offers structured training, hands-on practice, and opportunities to gain actionable insights that can be applied immediately to drive results and support long-term growth.

How much time is required each week?

Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.

How will my time be spent?

We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:

• Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty

• Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule

• Reading or engaging with examples of core topics

• Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities

• Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers

• Completing your final project, if required

The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.

What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

More than 350,000 learners across 80 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.

How do I interact with other program participants?

Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.

What type of certificate will I receive?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.

The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.

Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.

How long will I have access to the learning materials?

You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.

Do I need to be online to access the program content?

Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.

What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

• Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).

• Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.

I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.

How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.

Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.

How can I obtain a W9 form?

Please connect with us via email for assistance.

Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.

Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?

Program fees for Emeritus programs with Wharton Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.

What is the program refund and deferral policy?

For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.