Emerging CFO Program

Many paths lead to the C-suite, but a strong foundation is essential in order to become a CFO. In this phase, you will examine fundamental concepts, including the cost of capital and valuation and capital structure. You will also learn to analyze the macroeconomic landscape and implement effective decision-making strategies to maximize value for your organization. 

• The Cost of Capital and Valuation: Optimizing Investment Decisions 

• Capital Structure:  Decisions about Debt and Equity

• Navigating the Macroeconomic Environment: Impact on Financial Decisions 

• International Finance: Managing the Global Corporation and Financial Risks

• Strategic Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances: Effective M&A Strategies

• Real Options: Enhancing Flexibility in Strategic Decision-Making

Note: Module topics are subject to change.

Technology and data are just some of the forces that are redefining today’s business landscape. Explore the nuances of modern financial leadership, and learn how to approach the CFO role with a transformation mindset. 

• Financial Fragility, Financial Crisis, and Risk Management: Identifying, Categorizing, and Mitigating Risks

• Sustainable Financial Strategy: Integrating ESG and DEI Goals

• Data-Driven Organizations: Championing a CFO-Led Culture

• Fintech: Leveraging Technology for Finance and Strategic Decision Making

Note: Module topics are subject to change.

Meet your cohort peers and faculty in person on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia at an optional two-day recognition ceremony and networking event*. This event enables you to connect with peers and professionals from other cohorts, representing diverse industries, and build a global network that supports long-term professional development. The networking event is generally held within six-to-nine months from the date of program completion.

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

Led by renowned Wharton faculty, the live sessions on specialized modules explore the expanding mandate of the modern CFO and the intersection of finance, strategy, and enterprise leadership.

• Program Introduction: Professor Itay Goldstein outlines the program’s core themes and the evolving scope of the CFO role, from steward of capital to strategic architect shaping innovation, ESG priorities, risk management, and digital transformation.

• Macroeconomic Environment: Professor Anthony Landry provides a structured framework for interpreting inflation, labor markets, monetary policy, and fiscal trends and translating these forces into financial decisions that sustain performance in uncertain times.

• Midway Review: Professor Itay Goldstein leads a dedicated checkpoint session that reinforces expectations, reviews progress, and sustains momentum as participants apply learning to their organizations.

The value of choosing the Emerging Chief Financial Officer (eCFO) Program depends on your career stage, leadership goals, and the responsibilities you aim to take on. For senior finance executives preparing to become strategic partners in the C-suite, the program blends corporate finance, strategic thinking skills, and financial leadership with electives tailored to your career path. You also benefit from a global network, success coaching, and a capstone project designed to help you translate insights into measurable impact.

There are many executive education programs available for finance leaders, and the value of any program depends on your goals, career stage, and what you are looking to strengthen. Aspiring chief financial officers and senior finance executives often seek more than technical expertise — they need the critical skills to drive business excellence. The Wharton Emerging CFO Program provides a comprehensive curriculum that addresses emerging trends, corporate strategy, and financial performance, while also sharpening strategic financial decisions and leadership skills, positioning you to step into the CFO role with confidence.

The Emerging CFO Program from Wharton Executive Education is a six- to eight-month learning journey for experienced financial leaders and senior finance executives. It combines core modules in leadership and corporate finance strategy, and specialized modules on capital markets, international finance, and financial transformation. Participants sharpen financial expertise, develop strategic mindset, and build the leadership capabilities needed to succeed as future chief financial officers.

Many top business schools offer executive education programs that can help financial leaders prepare for the C-suite. The right choice depends on whether you are looking to deepen corporate finance expertise, strengthen leadership skills, or broaden your strategic mindset. The Wharton Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program is designed specifically for professions working in corporate finance, financial account or financial planning and analysis, combining financial leadership, corporate strategy, and emerging trends to prepare you for the demands of the CFO role.

The program fee for the Wharton Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program can be found on the program page. This program fee covers academic content, online coursework, and faculty interaction. Travel, accommodation, and the optional on-campus networking event fee are additional. Flexible payment options and early application benefits may also be available for participants. Check the program page for more details.

The best course to become a CFO varies depending on your career stage, current responsibilities, and the capabilities you want to develop. Many business schools offer programs that emphasize financial expertise, corporate governance, and leadership development. The Wharton Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program blends finance strategy and leadership skills with a comprehensive curriculum, enabling finance leaders to advance toward senior finance roles with clarity and confidence.

Chief financial officers come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds, and there is no single required certification. Many pursue credentials such as CPA, CFA, or MBA from top business schools, which help build strong technical and analytical foundations. However, while certifications validate professional expertise, professional certificates are designed to deepen strategic perspective, leadership capability, and enterprise-wide thinking.

Executive education programs, such as the Wharton Emerging CFO Program, build on those foundations by equipping finance professionals with financial leadership, strategic decision-making, and enterprise-wide influence to succeed in C-suite roles.

Training to become a chief financial officer is less about a single path and more about building a blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and strategic financial insight. Many senior finance executives prepare by gaining experience in areas like corporate finance, financial planning, and capital markets, while also strengthening their ability to lead teams and influence enterprise decisions. You will find several executive education programs from top business schools. The Wharton Emerging CFO Program offers a structured way to develop the strategic mindset and leadership capabilities needed for C-suite roles.

The Emerging CFO Program has been designed with your busy schedule in mind. You will be required to commit not more than three to five 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.

The six-month learning journey includes live webinars as well as live online and asynchronous sessions with renowned faculty, industry experts, and global peers. You can take advantage of weekly live sessions and the Slack channel to ask questions and discuss ideas with your success coach and 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 program concludes with an optional two-day on-campus graduation and networking event on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia.

The program fee covers teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include the registration fee of US$250 for the optional two-day on-campus networking and recognition ceremony, accommodation expenses for the on-campus event, travel expenses (domestic and international, including visa fees), 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. If you would like to approach your company with a sponsorship request for this program, here is a customizable template that you can use.

Yes. We provide closed captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos as well as closed captioning for recordings of live sessions.

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

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

Program fees for Emeritus programs with Wharton and Emeritus 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.