Emerging CFO Program

From financial expertise to strategic excellence
Country/Region
Total Work Experience

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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.

*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.

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

  • International exposure (preferred)

  • 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 faculty-led 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: wharton_ecfo@emeritus.org

Phone: +1 315 847 4592 (U.S.) / +44 7822 026595 (U.K.) / +65 3138 6189 (S.G.)

Early registrations are encouraged. Seats fill up quickly!

Flexible payment options available.

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