Emerging CFO Program

From financial expertise to strategic excellence
Total Work Experience

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Learn. Level up. Leap to financial leadership.

Chief financial officers (CFOs) are leading businesses into the future. They serve as strategic business partners, drive financial success, and align functional strategies with larger financial objectives. Strategic thinking, technical leadership, and holistic knowledge of the business have become critical competencies for future finance leaders.

The six-month Emerging Chief Financial Officer (eCFO) Program from Wharton Executive Education will equip aspiring CFOs to lead strategically, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and manage organizational dynamics. Through the comprehensive curriculum, experienced finance and accounting professionals will learn to lead with a global mindset, cultivate a powerful network for professional growth, and drive initiatives with a vision for the future. At the end of the program, you will be ready to successfully navigate the responsibilities of a future CFO and come away with a personalized action plan that will guide you as you harness new opportunities that move you closer to the C-suite.

84%

of senior finance leaders recognize the CFO role as highly challenging but also say that there has never been a more exciting time to be a CFO.
Source: EY

76%

of CFOs and senior finance leaders now see strategy capability as being a must-have for becoming a CFO.

76%

of CFOs and senior finance leaders say that an aspiring CFO will need to build a network of contacts and relationships at the C-suite and board levels.
Source: EY

Source: EY

Learning journey

The six-month learning journey includes 14 weeks of core leadership knowledge and two specialized phases that will help you develop the skills required for future C-level leadership. The program also offers an optional two-day networking event and recognition ceremony** on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, where you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and build connections with your peers.

WH-ECFO Learning Journey

*Note: The last two weeks of core modules will be held after the 10 weeks of specialized phases.

**Note: A registration fee of US$250 is applicable.

Curriculum

The Emerging CFO Program will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the responsibilities of a modern CFO. You will learn to lead with a global mindset and develop a powerful network of connections that will be a valuable resource on your journey to the C-suite.

Wharton Emerging C- Suite Development Series

As a participant in the Emerging Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program, you will gain valuable insights into the role of modern CFOs while also having exclusive access to the shared core curriculum of the Wharton Emerging C-Suite Development Program Series. This comprehensive series includes the Emerging Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program, the Emerging Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program, the Emerging Chief Product Officer (CPO) Program, and other emerging C-suite programs to be announced in the future. It offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the specialized development track of a CFO while also learning alongside and connecting with aspiring executives across other emerging C-suite programs during core leadership development components of the curriculum. This opportunity will help you further expand your professional network and develop a cross-functional leadership mindset.

Lead beyond expertise into the C-suite

 Lead beyond expertise into the C-suite Video

    What you will learn

    The program will enable you to:

    • Identify and use tools and data-driven insights to make informed strategic financial and organizational decisions

    • Excel at managing risk while embracing global adaptability and ethical decision making

    • Become a strategic leader who shapes finance with foresight and integrity

    • Build trust, manage relationships, and communicate with a broad range of stakeholders in a transparent and impactful manner

    • Understand organizational dynamics to build the alliances and partnerships needed to be a proactive and effective presence in the C-suite

    • Cultivate innovation to navigate global challenges and the future of finance with confidence and agility

    • Foster a culture that prioritizes ethical decision making while inspiring and leading diverse teams toward achieving cohesive and transformative goals

    Faculty quotes

    “Faced with a volatile macroeconomic environment, businesses are in need of leaders who can tackle challenges head on. Succeeding in the C-suite requires more than domain knowledge; it requires strate...
    Wharton Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program Academic Co-Director Marissa King, PhD
    Marissa King, PhD
    Academic Co-Director
    “Today’s CFOs handle more than just finance; they are partners in every aspect of the business. The Emerging CFO Program emphasizes an individualized focus that allows future leaders to expand their c...
    Wharton Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program Academic Co-Director Itay Goldstein, PhD
    Itay Goldstein, PhD
    Academic Co-Director

    Who is this program for?

    The Emerging CFO Program will help experienced finance and accounting professionals enhance their strategic skills and build leadership competencies to advance in the realm of finance. 

    The program is ideal for:

    • Those working in corporate finance or financial planning and analysis who are looking to drive financial stability, capitalize on new growth opportunities, and enhance their leadership skills to inspire their teams

    • Those working in financial accounting who want to gain a broad understanding of corporate finance concepts for financial decision making and develop leadership traits that are essential to becoming a successful financial leader

    Participants are required to have:

    • A minimum of 8 years of work experience

    • Fluency in written and spoken English

    Note: This program is tailored for finance professionals on the path to C-suite roles and is not intended for individuals currently serving as CFOs.

     

    Program highlights

    Comprehensive curriculum of the Wharton eCFO program
    Comprehensive curriculum

    Immerse yourself in a comprehensive curriculum that gives you the momentum to transition to a C-level role.

    Live faculty-led modules of the Wharton Emerging CFO Program
    Live sessions

    Experience real-time learning through live sessions that bring key leadership concepts to life.

    Individualized focus of the Wharton Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program
    Individualized focus

    Cultivate future-ready leadership skills through personalized assessments and evidence-based exercises.

    Leadership-development action plan for the Wharton Emerging CFO Program
    Leadership-development action plan

    Create a detailed strategy to evolve your leadership abilities that leads you toward your objective of becoming a CFO.

    Expert insights on the Wharton eCFO program
    Expert insights

    Acquire rich, real-world insights into finance and social networking through the expertise of renowned Wharton faculty.

    on-campus networking at Wharton eCFOProgram
    Networking opportunities

    Expand your professional network through virtual meetups and an on-campus event with a global cohort of peers.

    success coach for Wharton Emerging CFO Program
    Success coach

    Optimize your learning journey through weekly check-ins with a success coach assigned to your cohort.

    Capstone project

    The capstone project presents an opportunity for you to synthesize the knowledge and insights gained throughout the program and apply them to an extended case study. Through a systematic and strategic approach, you will leverage the program's learnings to develop a comprehensive road map and framework. This hands-on experience can help you to translate theory into practice and drive change.

    Meet the faculty

    Wharton eCFO Program's Academic Co-Director Marissa King, PhD
    Marissa King, PhD

    Academic Co-Director; Alice Y. Hung President’s Distinguished Professor; Professor of Health Care Management; Professor of Management

    Marissa King’s research focuses on deciphering the complexities of human interactions within the context of health care organizations, teams, and broader social structures. He...

    Wharton eCFO Program's Academic Co-Director Itay Goldstein, PhD
    Itay Goldstein, PhD

    Academic Co-Director; Joel S. Ehrenkranz Family Professor; Professor of Finance; Professor of Economics; Chairperson, Finance Department

    Itay Goldstein is an expert in the areas of corporate finance, financial institutions, and financial markets, focusing on financial fragility and crises and on the feedback ef...

    Wharton eCFO Program faculty Chris Geczy, PhD
    Chris Geczy, PhD

    Adjunct Professor of Finance; Academic Director, Wharton Wealth Management Initiative; Academic Director, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research

    Wharton eCFO Program faculty Anthony Landry, PhD
    Anthony Landry, PhD

    Adjunct Full Professor of Finance; Deputy Vice Dean, MBA Program

    Lindsay Cameron
    Lindsey Cameron, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Management Dorinda and Mark Winkelman Distinguished Faculty Scholar

    Mauro
    Mauro Guillén, PhD

    William H. Wurster Professor of Multinational Management Vice Dean, MBA Program for Executives

    Witold Henisz
    Witold Henisz, PhD

    Vice Dean and Faculty Director, ESG Initiative; Deloitte & Touche Professor of Management in Honor of Russell E. Palmer, former Managing Partner

    Rahul Kapoor
    Rahul Kapoor, PhD

    David W. Hauck Professor at the Wharton School Professor of Management Chairperson, Management Department

    Harbir Singh
    Harbir Singh , PhD

    Mack Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Faculty Director, Huntsman Program

    Note: Faculty list is subject to change.

    Certificate

    Certificate

    Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the program. Participants of this transformative program get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities.

    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 Emerging CFO Program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status, or earned credit at the 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 any other university or institution.

    FAQs

    Connect with a program advisor for a 1:1 session

    Our program advisors have helped senior executives across the world choose the right program for their career goals. Schedule a 1:1 to get a deeper understanding of why the Emerging CFO Program is the right fit for you.

    Email: learner.success@emeritus.org

    Phone: +1 315 847 4592 (U.S.) / +44 782 202 6595 (U.K.) / +65 3138 6189 (S.G.)

    Flexible payment options available.

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