Emerging CFO Program
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The program will observe a scheduled holiday break from December 24, 2025 through January 1, 2026.
Learn. Level up. Leap to financial leadership with the Wharton CFO Program.
The Emerging Chief Financial Officer (eCFO) Program from Wharton Executive Education prepares experienced finance professionals and senior finance executives to step into enterprise leadership with confidence. In today’s business environment, finance leaders are expected to go beyond technical expertise to act as strategic partners, shaping financial strategy, strengthening corporate finance, and guiding organizations toward sustainable growth.
Led by renowned Wharton faculty, this six- to eight-month program blends financial leadership, corporate finance, and organizational dynamics with electives tailored to your goals. You will gain advanced leadership skills, global perspectives, and the tools to communicate effectively with stakeholders, drive strategic financial decisions, cultivate influence across the enterprise, and position yourself for success as a future CFO.
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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.
What you will learn
The Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program from Wharton Executive Education will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the responsibilities of modern financial leadership. You will build strategic thinking skills, strengthen financial expertise, and develop finance strategy approaches that support business excellence and long-term value creation. You will also learn to lead with a global mindset, understand emerging trends shaping the chief financial officer role, and cultivate 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.
Learning outcomes
The Emerging Chief Financial Officer 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
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Who is the Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program for?
The Wharton Executive Education’s Emerging Chief Financial Officer Program is designed for finance leaders who are ready to strengthen their strategic skills and step into broader leadership roles. It is ideal for:
Professionals in corporate finance or financial planning and analysis who want to strengthen their leadership skills, deepen expertise in financial analysis, and expand knowledge of capital markets and corporate strategy to steer financial performance
Senior leaders and aspiring leaders in financial accounting, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the finance function, explore emerging trends shaping financial transformation, and develop the leadership competencies required to inspire teams and drive organizational growth
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 builds financial leadership and strategic thinking, giving you the momentum to transition to a C-level role.
Experience real-time learning through live sessions that bring leadership concepts and strategic financial decisions to life.
Cultivate a strategic mindset and future-ready leadership skills through personalized assessments and evidence-based exercises.
Create a detailed action plan that strengthens your financial strategy and leadership skills, supporting your progression toward the chief financial officer role.
Assess emerging trends in corporate finance and deepen your financial expertise through the insights of renowned Wharton faculty and industry leaders.
Expand your professional network and exchange insights on financial leadership and strategic thinking through virtual meetups and an on-campus event with a global cohort of peers.
Optimize your learning journey with a success coach assigned to your cohort, receiving personalized guidance to apply a strategic mindset to your career goals and development.
Capstone project
The capstone project is an integral part of the Wharton Emerging CFO Program, giving you the opportunity 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 capstone project enables you to translate theory into practice, strengthen financial leadership, and drive change that delivers business excellence and sustains competitive advantage.
Meet the faculty
World-renowned Wharton faculty in the Emerging CFO Program will prepare you to navigate the complex challenges of financial leadership. You will leverage their expertise in corporate finance, capital markets, and financial strategy to sharpen your strategic mindset and build the critical skills needed to excel in the C-suite.
Through a comprehensive curriculum, faculty-led sessions, and peer learning, you will gain a deeper understanding of organizational structures, corporate portfolios, and strategic initiatives, positioning you as a trusted partner to key stakeholders and enabling you to drive organizational growth with confidence.
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
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...
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
Adjunct Full Professor of Finance; Senior Fellow, Harris Family Alternative Investments Program
Note: Faculty list is subject to change.
Certificate
Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the Emerging Chief Financial Officer 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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