Chief Financial Officer Program

Take Your Career as a Finance Leader to the Next Level

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

June 26, 2023

Course Duration

DURATION

9 to 12 Months
Online and In Person

Course Fee

PROGRAM FEE

US$28,000 and get US$1,000 off with a referral US$300 application fee

Course Information Flexible payment available
Course Fee

For Your Team

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Learning is better with your colleagues

Our participants tell us that taking this program together with their colleagues helps to share common language and accelerate impact.

We hope you find the same. Special pricing is available for groups.

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The benefit of learning together with your friend is that you keep each other accountable and have meaningful discussions about what you're learning.
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Early Registration Benefit

The upcoming application deadline is . We are offering an early registration benefit if you apply before this date. Connect with our learning advisor for more information.

Program Overview

The Chief Financial Officer Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education will help financial leaders take the next step in their careers. Through a comprehensive curriculum driven by world-class faculty and the latest industry research and insights, senior leaders will develop the knowledge and skills to seamlessly transition into the CFO role. This program will help participants drive financial frameworks that embrace global business strategies while preparing them to manage investors, analysts, and the board to optimize business efficiency.

It tackles various themes during the multimodal learning journey of 9 to 12 months structured around value creation, capital markets, risk management, leadership, and relevant skill development for the CFO role. At the end of this program, participants will emerge equipped with the skills, tools, and frameworks needed to lead financial transformation and handle increasingly complex challenges being faced by their organizations.

Program Highlights

Image to accompany text - Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Kick-start your program journey with 18 weeks of core online learning, imparting essential skills for the CFO role.

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Weekly Live Sessions

Experience live online sessions with success coaches as well as periodic guest lectures from faculty, industry leaders, and career advisors.

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World-Renowned Faculty

Learn from Columbia faculty, thought leaders, and financial industry experts.

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Peer Learning

Learn from high-achieving peers from around the globe and build your network.

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Choice of Electives

Select from relevant topical electives to gain skill sets specific to your career goals.

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Success Coach

You will be assigned a success coach who will help craft your learning journey through regular one-on-one check-in sessions.

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Networking Event

Interact with faculty, peers, and global industry leaders at an optional two-day on-campus networking event.

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Select Alumni Benefits

Receive select Columbia Business School alumni benefits upon completion of the program.

Program Curriculum

The Chief Financial Officer Program is a flexible learning journey designed for senior leaders in finance. You will learn through online and interactive sessions, fireside chats, and guest lectures led by Columbia faculty and global industry leaders. The program offers an expertly developed curriculum that spans three key phases that will equip you with the necessary tools to drive financial strategy and lead digital transformation at your organization.

  • The Chief Financial Officer Program will provide you with the tools and frameworks to enhance your financial leadership and sharpen your decision-making skills. It will help you evaluate current strategies against financial metrics and drive growth while creating value for your organization.

    • Program for Financial Sustainability
    • Operating Cycle and Value Drivers
    • Measuring Strategy
    • Defining Good Stewardship of Capital
    • Macro Revenue Factors, Materials, and Supply Chain
    • Labor, Talent, and Compensation
    • Capital and Capital Expenditure
    • Capital Structure and Introduction to Foreign Currency
    • A Global Market: Foreign Currency
    • Organizational Valuation
    • The Qualities of a Financial Leader
    • CFO as Strategic Partner to the CEO
    • Capital Allocation
    • Mergers, Acquisitions, and Integration
    • Managing Performance and Compensation
    • Raising Capital and Managing Investors
    • Regulatory Compliance
    • Information Systems and Tomorrow's CFO

  • During the Chief Financial Officer Program, you will be able to choose two electives from relevant areas of specialization. These electives are designed to supplement the core learning process, enhance your skill sets, and explore practical strategies that help advance your career. Each elective is taught over approximately six weeks. The choice of electives includes:

    • Corporate Governance
    • ESG Investing
    • Foundations of Venture Capital
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Value Investing

    Note: Electives are subject to change.

  • Select one program—in person or live online—from relevant specializations that are designed to help you lead growth and drive change in a dynamic business environment. Participants can work with their success coach to identify the best fit for them based on their goals. Some of the examples include:

    • Developing and Leading High-Performance Teams
    • Driving Strategic Impact
    • Financial Analysis and Valuation
    • Quantitative Intuition™
    • Real Estate Investing
    • Venture Capital

    Note: Electives are subject to change.

  • *Meet your cohort peers and faculty in person on the Columbia Business School campus in New York City during an optional two-day recognition ceremony and networking event. This event provides you an opportunity to network with your peers as well as professionals from other cohorts to create a lifelong community of global executives.

Note: Session topics are subject to change.

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Meet the Faculty

Shivaram Rajgopal is the Kester and Byrnes Professor of Accounting and Auditing at Columbia Business School. He has also been a faculty member at Duke University, Emory University, and the University of Washington. Rajgopal’s research interests span financial reporting, earnings quality, fraud, executive compensation, and corporate culture. His research is frequently cited in the popular press, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Fortune, Forbes, The Financial Times, Business Week, and The Economist.

— SHIVARAM RAJGOPAL
Faculty Director

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Karim Bennis

Group CFO, Etisalat

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John V. Faraci

Executive in Residence, Columbia Business School

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Jesse Greene

Executive in Residence, Columbia Business School

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Douglas Maine

Executive in Residence, Columbia Business School

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Ravi Mallela

CFO, First Hawaiian Bank

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Paul Shoukry

CFO of Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Profile picture of professor Karim Bennis

Karim Bennis

Group CFO, Etisalat

Profile picture of professor John V. Faraci

John V. Faraci

Executive in Residence, Columbia Business School

Profile picture of professor Jesse Greene

Jesse Greene

Executive in Residence, Columbia Business School

Profile picture of professor Douglas Maine

Douglas Maine

Executive in Residence, Columbia Business School

Profile picture of professor Ravi Mallela

Ravi Mallela

CFO, First Hawaiian Bank

Profile picture of professor Paul Shoukry

Paul Shoukry

CFO of Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Meet Your Success Coaches

Success Coach Melissa Graham

Melissa Graham

Success Coach

Melissa Graham is a professional, dynamic business leader with over 20 years of experience in executive leadership. The bulk of her career has been in executive finance and management. She has worked in a spectrum of industries from not-for-profit to large C-corporations, tribal and local governments, manufacturing, and more. She had served in executive leadership and board roles, including CEO, COO, and CFO roles in different business sectors, including higher education. Melissa has earned an Executive MBA, a Master of Finance, and is currently completing her doctorate in business administration

Success Coach John Dion

John Dion

Success Coach

John has 35 years of experience as an industry executive in Life Sciences, medical diagnostics, product identification, petroleum forecourt, aerospace, and industrial businesses. Currently, John is a Vice President for the ESAB Corporation. Prior to retiring from the Danaher Corporation in 2021, John successfully led the corporation’s largest three acquisitions, held two board roles, and led and taught the Danaher Business System (DBS) at Danaher’s two largest operating companies. John has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration from the University of Connecticut.

Certificate in Business Excellence

Example image of certificate that will be awarded after successful completion of this program

Certificate in Business Excellence

Upon completion of the Chief Financial Officer Program, participants are awarded the Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia Business School Executive Education. The certificate is a recognition of their achievement and the investment they and their organization have made in their education and development.

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Please note that participants must complete all modules of the program (online, in person or live online, inter-module) to receive the Certificate in Business Excellence.

Select Alumni Benefits

  • Access to Columbia Business School Alumni Career Services resources, including unique career content, a job board, an online networking platform, the alumni directory, and more
  • Invitations to alumni events and programs around the world
  • Eligibility to join Columbia Business School alumni clubs
  • Global networking opportunities
  • A 25 percent tuition benefit for you and up to four colleagues each year for full-price Executive Education in-person programs lasting up to seven days and all full-price online programs
  • Lifetime Columbia Business School forwarding email address
  • Subscription to our alumni publication Columbia Business

Participant Profile

The Chief Financial Officer Program is uniquely designed to suit professionals with a strong finance background from diverse industries. Individuals new to the CFO role or stepping into a financial leadership role will benefit from the in-depth curriculum, expert faculty, and invaluable networking opportunities.

Participants should have:

  • A minimum of ten years of work experience in finance
  • Fluency in written and spoken English
  • International exposure (preferred)

Application Details

Round 1

Closed

Round 2

Closed

Round 3

Deadline: June 13, 2023
Application fee: US$300

The program fee covers teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include accommodations for the two-day annual in-person reunion and networking event, travel expenses (domestic, international, visa fee, and more), and other expenses not specifically mentioned in the program fee.

Questions? Connect with a Learning Advisor.

Our learning 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 on why the Chief Financial Officer Program is the right fit for you.

Email: columbia_cfo@emeritus.org

Phone: +1 567 587 1669 (US) / +65 6871 4030 (Singapore) / +91 90290 07437 (India) / +971 44302011 (Dubai)

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Early registrations are encouraged. Seats fill up quickly!

Flexible payment options available. Learn more.