Chief Financial Officer Program — India
- Powered by the legacy of Wharton—an Ivy League school
- Global CFO learning—applied and strategic
- Opportunity to network with global finance leaders
- In-person immersions in India with renowned Wharton faculty
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The gold standard in financial leadership
In an era where financial leadership defines the success of business, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program — India by Wharton Executive Education stands as the definitive choice for ambitious finance leaders in India.
Built on the legacy of Wharton—an Ivy League School known for shaping global business minds—this program goes beyond conventional learning. It blends cutting-edge financial strategy, global best practices, and India-specific business insight to prepare CFOs not just for the next quarter, but for the next decade.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program — India from Wharton Executive Education equips finance leaders with global best practices, strategic insight, and leadership skills tailored to India’s evolving financial landscape—empowering them to drive impact, influence boardroom decisions, and lead with confidence on the global stage.
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Why this is one of the best CFO programs in India
Your gateway to becoming a future-ready, global CFO
Learn from world-renowned Wharton faculty
Gain insights from renowned Wharton faculty and industry experts who are at the cutting edge of innovation.
Peer-to-peer networking
Benefit from cross-industry knowledge sharing and forge transformative relationships with like-minded CXOs.
2 India immersions (3+2 days)
Engage directly with the Wharton faculty in India to deepen strategic thinking and enhance leadership capabilities through interactive sessions.
Pathway to Wharton alumni status
Following the successful completion of the program earn one of six credits needed to earn Wharton alumni status through the Advance Finance Program (AFP) or General Management Program (GMP) pathway.*
Blended learning journey
Engage in an accelerated learning experience that combines the best of practical and theoretical learning to meet India’s rising demand for global-ready CFOs
On-demand learning
Learn at your own pace with a weekly commitment of four to six hours of sessions and activities.
Real-world case studies
Learn from global case studies and equip yourself with the skills to apply global strategies to tackle India-specific challenges.
*Note: Refer to Pathway to Wharton alumni section
Who is this program for?
Wharton Executive Education's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program – India is tailored for senior finance leaders in the Indian C-suite who are shaping enterprise-wide strategy through financial leadership, investment decisions, digital transformation, and cross-border growth planning.
Whether you're an experienced CFO or preparing to step into the role, this program empowers you to lead at a global level with confidence, foresight, and influence.
The program is particularly beneficial for:
Chief financial officers of MNCs, mid-sized firms, or large Indian corporations aiming to enhance strategic leadership and global influence
Finance directors, controllers, and senior VPs of finance with 15+ years of experience, preparing to transition into the CFO role
Corporate strategy leaders and financial planners seeking to expand their impact on enterprise decision making across geographies and functions
Participants are required to have:
A minimum of 10 years of managerial work experience
How this program prepares you for a global CFO role
Reframe the CFO role as a transformational force by aligning financial strategy with enterprise-wide goals
Lead change initiatives and act as strategic business partners to CEOs and boards
Champion a data-driven and AI-enabled culture, driving digital agility in finance functions
Optimize capital deployment and valuation models to fuel investment strategies
Navigate complex M&A landscapes and alliances with precision and foresight
Structure capital to balance growth ambitions with financial risk and shareholder value
Architect global growth strategies by leveraging platforms, digital ecosystems, and financial technologies
Strengthen boardroom dynamics and enhance shareholder communication and engagement
Message from the Program Director
The Wharton School
A pioneer in business education
Since the Wharton School's establishment in 1881, it has consistently built a strong reputation as a leader in business education. Continuing the mission of its founder, Joseph Wharton, the School strives to create responsible leaders who rely on rigorous analysis and evidence-based, actionable knowledge.
Wharton provides world-class executive education that is innovative, practical, and results-focused to prepare individuals and organizations for greater success.
For more than 120 years, Wharton’s finance department and research centers and initiatives have been at the forefront of promoting innovative research and groundbreaking programs in areas including investment management, private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, quantitative finance, fintech, financial policy, and regulation. Each year, executives from more than 100 countries choose Wharton to advance their leadership at every level and make a greater impact within their organizations.
Case Studies
Home Depot
Calculate the cost of capital for Home Depot, focusing on both public and private organizations. This activity will challenge you to apply everything you’ve learned in this module to a real-world context.
Diageo Case
The Diageo case provides an illustration of a thorough capital structure policy and an application of the trade-off theory. Professor Goldstein introduces Diageo’s capital structure approach — from leveraging Monte Carlo simulations to balancing tax benefits and distress costs
Consolidated Rail
Students, as shareholders, must decide whether to tender shares into the front-end of a two-tiered acquisition offer. To make this decision, they must value Conrail as an acquisition target and understand the structure of CSX's offer.
GlobalTech Inc
Identify financial risks and relevant mitigation strategies for multinational corporations. Assess the impact of key international regulatory frameworks. Apply knowledge of the principles of international finance to financial decisions
Delta Airlines
Examine Delta Airlines’ response to the financial challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. The focus is on the strategies Delta employed, such as leveraging credit lines, securing innovative collateral-based financing, and utilizing government support to navigate an unprecedented economic downturn.
Note: All program curriculum stated here is subject to change as per the discretion of Wharton Executive Education or Emeritus.
Note: All product and company names mentioned in this material are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Their use does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Globally relevant and India-ready CFO curriculum
Tailor-made for Indian financial leaders, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program — India by Wharton Executive Education is a unique blend of cutting-edge modules, case studies, and guest speakers that will equip you with the C-suite capabilities to accelerate value creation, drive enterprise-wide excellence, and shape your organization for future success.
Global trends in financial strategy
Leadership and decision making
Fintech: Leveraging technology for finance and strategic decision making
Framework for evaluating AI transformation Initiatives
Data-driven processes for value creation
Strategy for competitive advantage
Leading through disruption in the age of AI
Platforms and ecosystems
CFO as a strategic business partner
Impact of AI and other emerging tech on CFO office
The cost of capital and valuation: Optimizing investment decisions
Managing uncertainty with a strategic lens
Capital structure: Decisions about debt and equity
Managing uncertainty with a financial lens
Strategic mergers, acquisitions, and alliances: Effective M&A strategies
Toolkit for going public
The CFO as a strategic architect
Moving the needle: Prioritizing what matters
Measuring and managing performance
Putting strategy to work
Managing the global corporation and financial risks
Identifying, categorizing, and mitigating risks
Navigating the macroeconomic environment: Impact on financial decisions
Forex risk in Indian markets
Introduction to corporate governance
Integrating ESG & DEI goals
SEBI's ESG guidelines: CFO's role in sustainable value creation
Balancing stakeholder and shareholder interests
Communicating with the board
Crisis management
Succession planning - preparing second level leaders
Note: Modules, sub-modules and capstone are indicative only, and the suggested time and sequence may be dropped, modified or adapted to fit the total program hours.
Curated masterclasses for the C-suite
Forex risk in Indian markets
Tool kit for going public
Framework for evaluating AI transformation initiatives
Succession planning - preparing second-level leaders
Note: All program curriculum stated here is subject to change as per the discretion of Wharton Executive Education or Emeritus.
Learning journey custom made for finance leaders
Program faculty
Wharton’s world-renowned faculty, along with acclaimed industry thought leaders, will prepare you to face a wide array of challenges. Leverage their insights and domain expertise to better understand growth strategy and financial management.
Academic Director; Adjunct Full Professor of Finance; Director of Executive Education, The Wharton School
David W. Hauck Professor at the Wharton School; Professor of Management; Chairperson, Management Department
Chief Digital Officer, EVERSANA; Senior Fellow, Management Department, The Wharton School; Adjunct Faculty, The Moore School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania; Co-author Goliath’s Revenge
Adjunct Associate Professor, Management Department, The Wharton School; Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
William and Jacalyn Egan Professor Emeritus of Management; Faculty Director, Center for Leadership and McNulty Leadership Program, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Alice Y. Hung President’s Distinguished Professor; Professor of Health Care Management; Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Joel S. Ehrenkranz Family Professor, Professor of Finance, Professor of Economics; Chairperson, Finance Department, The Wharton School
Adjunct Professor of Finance; Senior Director, Harris Family Alternative Investments Program, The Wharton School
Deputy Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, MBA Program; Adjunct Full Professor of Finance, The Wharton School
Adjunct Professor of Finance; Academic Director, Wharton Wealth Management Initiative; Academic Director, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research, The Wharton School
Bantwal Family Goldman Sachs Presidential Associate Professor; Associate Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Success coach
CFO; Philips Indian subcontinent
Dev is the CFO for the India subcontinent and oversees a business unit covering a broader region. With more than 20 years of experience in finance and business management, Dev...
Pathway to Wharton alumni status
For more than 135 years, Wharton has been the place where visionaries, inventors, and trailblazers get their start. To achieve Wharton alumni status, learners must apply for either the Advanced Finance Program (AFP) or General Management Program (GMP) — both are structured executive pathways offered by Wharton that require completion of six credits through eligible Open-Enrolment Programs (OEP).
Executives who successfully complete the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program — India gain one of six required credits.
Upon qualifying for Wharton alumni status, you will be eligible to receive:
Full access to become a member of 77+ Wharton alumni clubs
Invitation to attend future Wharton global alumni forums
A Wharton forwarding email address
Certificate
Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the program. Participants of the program get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities. Furthermore, you can also benefit from additional tuition assistance upon enrolling in further online electives from Wharton Executive Education.
Note: After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.
Please also note that participation in the Chief Financial Officer Program — India (a) will not result in a degree from University of Pennsylvania or the Wharton School (or, to Wharton’s knowledge, any other institution), (b) will not be recorded on a University of Pennsylvania or Wharton transcript, and (c) does not guarantee or suggest that a participant will be admitted to the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School, or to any other university or institution. For alumni benefit, kindly refer to the "Pathway to Wharton alumni" section.
FAQs
The Chief Financial Officer Program — India has been designed with your busy schedule in mind. You will be required to commit no more than four to six hours per week, enabling you to benefit from this transformative program while fulfilling your day-to-day work responsibilities. The impactful program offers a blend of self-paced modules and live interaction.
Your learning journey will follow a blended format designed to offer flexibility, engagement, and real-world insight:
Online: Access pre-recorded, bite-sized video sessions led by Wharton faculty, available for self-paced learning. You'll also have access to weekly office hours anchored by a success coach for ongoing support for the duration of the program.
Live Online: Participate in live sessions with Wharton faculty and industry experts to deepen your understanding, along with sharing practical insights.
In-Person: Attend two India immersions for hands-on, experiential learning and networking opportunities:
October 10th -12th, 2025 in Mumbai
December 5th - 6th, 2025 in Mumbai
Note: In-person sessions are mandatory. No recordings will be provided for these sessions.
The six-month learning journey includes online, live online, and in-person sessions with renowned faculty, industry experts, and global peers. You can take advantage of weekly live sessions to ask questions, discuss ideas with your success coach, and network with cohort participants. Real-world examples and a debrief of the program learnings are delivered through a combination of recorded video and live online lectures.
The CFO Program – India does not directly grant Wharton alumni status, but it does count as one eligible credit toward achieving alumni status through Wharton Executive Education. To become a Wharton alumnus, learners must enroll in either the Advanced Finance Program (AFP) or the General Management Program (GMP)—both are structured executive pathways offered by Wharton. These require the completion of six eligible open-enrollment programs. Once enrolled in AFP or GMP, this CFO Program counts as one of the six required credits. The remaining programs can be chosen from Wharton's portfolio of open-enrollment offerings. Please note, however, that the credit from this program is only valid if learners enroll in AFP or GMP first, and all required programs must be completed within two years for the credit waiver to apply.
The program fee covers teaching fees, all academic materials, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include accommodation expenses for the in-person module, travel expenses (domestic), and any other expenses not specifically mentioned in the program fees.
You can pay the full program fee upfront or pay in easy installments. If you apply well in advance of the program start date, you can receive a tuition fee benefit.
Yes. We provide closed-captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos as well as closed-captioning for recordings of live sessions.
The India Immersion is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by finance leaders in India. It contextualizes global best practices—such as digital transformation, platform-based business models, and enterprise-wide strategy—for the Indian market, enabling CFOs to drive impact in fast-evolving, high-growth environments.
The module delves into corporate strategy, digital disruption, value creation, performance measurement, and cross-functional decision-making—tailored specifically for Indian business realities. Participants engage with practical frameworks to lead transformation and build competitive advantage across diverse sectors.
CFOs gain tools to break down organizational silos, assess enterprise-wide opportunities, and lead with a strategic, data-driven mindset. The immersion emphasizes “Enterprise Thinking” and equips leaders to manage complexity, unlock value in platform ecosystems, and drive measurable performance improvements. Note: In-person sessions are mandatory. No recordings will be provided for these sessions.
This program includes two India Immersions, where Wharton faculty travel to India to lead in-person sessions. While it does not include a campus visit, learners can register for a Wharton Open-Enrollment Program (OEP) held in the U.S. as part of the Advanced Finance Program (AFP) or General Management Program (GMP)—executive pathways that lead to Wharton alumni status. Upon successful completion of the CFO Program – India, learners are also eligible for a 20% discount on future OEP registrations. Note: In-person sessions are mandatory. No recordings will be provided for these sessions.
Early applications are encouraged. Admissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flexible payment options available.
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