Emerging CFO Program
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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-to-eight-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.
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Source: EY
Learning journey
The six-to-eight-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.
*Note: A registration fee of US$250 is applicable.
**Note: The last two weeks of core modules will be held after the 10 weeks of specialized phases.
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.
Live Online Sessions
The program features a variety of weekly live, interactive sessions designed to support applied learning and professional growth. These include faculty-led* discussions to deepen understanding of key concepts, success coach sessions focused on application and reflection, and peer networking sessions that foster collaboration across cohorts. In addition, executive development sessions, led by senior industry practitioners, provide exposure to real-world leadership insights and experiences. Together, these sessions create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that blends strategic insight with practical learning.
*The number of faculty-led sessions may vary.
Executive networking
Networking is a defining element of the Emerging Chief Financial Officer program. During the core modules, participants engage in cross-cohort peer networking through group sessions, faculty-led discussions, and collaborative exchanges that broaden perspectives across industries and functions. This engagement continues in the specialized modules through curated cross-cohort activities, while program-specific interactions foster deeper connections within each functional area. In addition to the recognition and networking event held on campus, these touchpoints create a powerful, diverse network of senior executives that endures well beyond the program.
Note: The networking opportunities includes cross-cohort participant interactions between the Emerging Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program, Emerging Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program, Emerging Chief Product Officer (CPO) Program, and other programs to be announced in the future.
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
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
Immerse yourself in a comprehensive curriculum that gives you the momentum to transition to a C-level role.
Experience real-time learning through live sessions that bring key leadership concepts to life.
Cultivate future-ready leadership skills through personalized assessments and evidence-based exercises.
Create a detailed strategy to evolve your leadership abilities that leads you toward your objective of becoming a CFO.
Acquire rich, real-world insights into finance and executive leadership through the expertise of renowned Wharton faculty.
Expand your professional network through inter-cohort discussions, virtual meetups, and an on-campus event with a global community of peers.
Optimize your learning journey with the support of a success coach assigned to each cohort for the duration of the program
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
Alice Y. Hung President’s Distinguished Professor
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...
Academic 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...
Adjunct Professor of Finance; Academic Director, Wharton Wealth Management Initiative; Academic Director, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research
Adjunct Full Professor of Finance; Deputy Vice Dean, MBA Program
Assistant Professor of Management Dorinda and Mark Winkelman Distinguished Faculty Scholar
William H. Wurster Professor of Multinational Management Vice Dean, MBA Program for Executives
Vice Dean and Faculty Director, ESG Initiative; Deloitte & Touche Professor of Management in Honor of Russell E. Palmer, former Managing Partner
David W. Hauck Professor at the Wharton School Professor of Management Chairperson, Management Department
Mack Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Faculty Director, Huntsman Program
Note: Faculty list is subject to change.
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.)
Early applications are encouraged. Admissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flexible payment options available.
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