Emerging CFO Programme
Transform your financial expertise into strategic leadership
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Empowering future CFOs to master financial strategies
The evolving financial landscape has significantly expanded the role of modern chief financial officers (CFOs), making it more complex and cross-functional. Today’s CFOs must deliver impact within and beyond finance by acting as strategic and innovative partners to the C-suite leaders.
The Emerging CFO Programme from Imperial Executive Education is designed for mid- to senior-level finance executives aspiring CFOs. This six-month executive finance leadership programme helps develop the cross-functional skills necessary to enhance your financial expertise, formulate effective financial strategies and master new mandates undertaken by CFOs, including managing financial and business risks, integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in the decision-making process and leading innovative digital initiatives, positioning you as a strategic next-generation CFO.
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What you will learn
The Emerging CFO Programme will enable you to:
Develop holistic financial strategies to drive sustainable business growth and digital transformation initiatives
Explore the evolving emphasis on strategic leadership in modern CFO roles
Apply skills to identify, evaluate and mitigate enterprise-wide financial and business risks to enhance resilience and sustainability
Analyse organisational structures and politics, discerning their impact on decision-making processes
Identify and develop communication strategies to bridge the gap between organisational functions and manage stakeholder relationships
Anticipate and navigate future business forces to lead successful digital transformations
Integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles with the decision-making process to align organisational goals with social objectives
Cultivate an ethical organisational culture, establishing a cohesive, inclusive team that values diversity
Immersive learning
Experience an immersive learning journey that extends beyond the classroom through online sessions, live online sessions, discussion forums and toolkit activities, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in relevant skills. You will:
Engage with global peers, guest speakers, esteemed faculty and a cohort success coach through live online sessions to solidify your understanding of the evolving CFO role
Collaborate with your cohort members during discussion forums to share your programme learnings and exchange ideas, enhancing your understanding through teamwork
Apply classroom learnings to complete weekly assignments, which culminate in two executive strategy activities, transforming your programme knowledge into actionable skills
Receive the guidance and support of a cohort success coach as you blend your career goals with your learning journey
Curriculum
The comprehensive curriculum for future CFOs spans three phases, allowing you to understand the complexities of the C-suite role, strategic CFO leadership and transformation imperatives, and utilises the toolkit activity, which is a culmination of weekly assignments, to help you enhance your programme learnings and provide hands-on experience.
Understand the executive leadership skills necessary to excel in a C-suite leadership role. Navigate the current finance landscape confidently by gaining expertise in effective decision-making, strategic agility and ethical leadership. Explore how to drive and support innovation and ensure alignment with sustainable practices.
Module 1: Organisational Structures: From Hierarchies to Networks
Module 2: Navigating and Influencing Complex Politics
Module 3: Building Alliances and Collaboration at an Executive Level
Module 4: Understanding Enablers and Derailers to Career Progression in the C-Suite
Module 5: Building Trust and Relationship Management
Module 6: Adept Communication: The Art of Storytelling
Module 7: Fostering a Culture of Ethics
Module 8: Inspiring Cohesive, Effective Teams
Module 9: Future Forces Transforming Demands of the C-Suite
Module 10: The Role of C-Suite in Driving Digital Transformation
Module 11: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): Balancing Profitability and Responsibility
Module 12: Understanding and Appreciating Diversity in the Workplace
Explore the intricacies and complexities of the CFO role and the mergers and acquisitions process. This strategic finance leadership programme equips you with an in-depth understanding of the importance and implementation of strategic financial planning and partnership building. Also, acquire the skills to effectively communicate financial insights and align teams to successfully achieve your organisation’s financial goals.
Module 13: Introduction to the Chief Financial Officer Role
Module 14: Communicating Financial Insights Effectively
Module 15: Establishing and Achieving Clear Financial Objectives as a Unified Team
Module 16: Mergers and Acquisitions Strategies and Other Forms of Corporate Restructuring
Module 17: The Transaction Process of Mergers and Acquisitions
Module 18: The Post-Merger Integration
Explore the new mandates added to the CFO responsibilities that require next-generation CFOs to function as versatile strategic partners. Mitigate risks, oversee ESG principles and make data-driven decisions to succeed in this finance leadership role.
Module 19: Risk Management and Weathering Risks
Module 20: The CFO's Role in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Module 21: Merging Financial Goals with Digital Innovation
Module 22: Data-Driven Insights to Form Financial Decisions and Strategies
Module 23: Strategic Partnership
Module 24: Leading through Flux
Note: Module topics are subject to change.
Executive Strategy Activities
Across the Emerging CFO Programme, you will apply programme learnings to complete two executive strategy activities, consisting of weekly assignments. These assignments are an opportunity to synthesise programme insights and apply them directly to resolve real-world challenges.
Executive Toolkit
This activity includes 12 executive toolkit activities, with one activity for each module. These activities are required assignments to equip you with a deeper understanding of C-suite leadership. This hands-on experience will enable you to translate theory into practice and drive change.
Executive Workbook
This workbook also includes 12 weekly assignments that will help you develop CFO-specific expertise and elevate your strategic and leadership skills, equipping you to successfully transition to the CFO role.
Programme highlights
Cutting-edge content
Develop the strategic mindset and cross-functional skills with in-depth core modules on evolving roles and responsibilities of the CFO role, corporate restructuring process, financial strategy and sustainable decision-making.
Peer learning
Engage with like-minded peers from diverse fields during discussion forums to exchange ideas and enrich your learning experience.
Esteemed faculty and industry experts
Gain insight into modern-day CFO responsibilities from world-renowned Imperial College Business School faculty and distinguished industry experts.
Interactive sessions
Leverage the synergies of real-time learning in live online sessions with faculty, guest speakers and a cohort success coach.
Executive Strategy Activities
Complete the two executive strategy activities to strengthen your programme learning.
Case studies and industry examples
Learn from real-world examples to understand the evolving CFO role and financial landscape.
Success coach
Craft your learning journey in line with your career goals with a success coach assigned to your cohort.
Emerging CFO Programme with Imperial Executive Education
The Emerging CFO Programme equips you with the essential knowledge, skills and tools to navigate today’s complex business environment. Imperial’s remarkable finance training is delivered by world-renowned industry experts and faculty. These collaborations with global leaders ensure you gain the latest research and cutting-edge knowledge that enhances your readiness for a successful transition to the CFO role.
Who is this programme for?
The six-month Emerging CFO Programme is crafted for aspiring CFOs. The programme provides mid- to senior-level finance executives with strategic leadership skills to navigate the evolving demands and growing scope of the CFO role.
This programme is particularly relevant for, but not limited to, the following roles:
Assistant vice presidents and directors of finance looking to acquire the necessary strategic leadership skills, enhance their ability to drive transformative change and accelerate their trajectory to be the next CFOs
Associate directors, associate vice presidents and the heads of accounting aspiring to drive strategic initiatives, influence decision-making by senior leadership and contribute to the overall success of the organisation
Testimonials
Meet the faculty
The programme faculty in this financial strategy leadership programme are world-renowned experts and deliver a rich and comprehensive learning environment, ensuring participants gain essential insights and practical knowledge.
Programme Director; Professorial Teaching Fellow in Accounting, Imperial Business School
Danielle Lyssimachou, an award-winning educator, is an academic leader and consultant in the field of accounting. Her research has been published in top academic journals, inc...
Lecturer at Imperial College Business School
Adam Kingl is highly regarded for his expertise in the future of business. His primary research focuses on the work and leadership paradigms of the youngest generations in the...
Partner at Candesic Strategy Consultants; Visiting Professor in Finance, Imperial College Business School
Marc Kitten has 25 years of experience in transactions and financial markets and advises corporations and financial investors. He serves on the boards of several fast-growing ...
Advanced Research Fellow at the Institute for Security Science and Technology
Catherine Mulligan is an interdisciplinary researcher whose primary focus is digital technologies. She is also the Founder of the Sustainable Society Digital Collective, a dig...
Head of the Department of Finance and Professor of Finance at Imperial College Business School
Robert Kosowski's research interests include asset management, risk management, machine learning, hedge funds, mutual funds, etc. Prior to his academic career, Kosowski worked...
Professor of Finance, Imperial College Business School
Marco di Maggio has over 10 years of experience in academic and applied research focused on financial intermediation, market microstructure, machine learning and crypto. Prior...
Fractional CTO and Strategic Adviser
Khalil Dimachkie has an extensive technology leadership background, including ten years as a CTO. He leverages his leadership experience together with his expertise in softwar...
Managing Director, Centre for Responsible Leadership
Kate Coombs’s work primarily involves designing and testing behavioural interventions to drive cultural change within organisations, particularly in financial institutions. He...
Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Leadership, Vice Dean (EDI)
Professor Sankalp Chaturvedi’s research focuses on effective leadership, mindfulness and collaboration mechanisms in teams. His articles have been published in the Journal of ...
Programme Director of the Imperial Leadership in a Technology-Driven World Programme and Visiting Fellow
Frans Campher is a seasoned executive coach, trainer and facilitator with extensive knowledge of global markets, business practices and protocols. He has worked with CEOs, man...
Guest Speakers
Chief Financial Officer, Hermes Airports Ltd
Chief Financial Officer, Roche Slovensko s.r.o.
Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance, Monmouthshire Building Society
Chief Financial Officer, Celebrus
Global Chief Financial Officer, Castrol
Certificate
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will receive a verified digital certificate of completion via email from Imperial Executive Education.
Note: You will earn the Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the programme. Visit the Associate Alumni page to find out more.
FAQs
The Emerging CFO Programme is a leadership course for emerging chief financial officers, offering a multimodular immersive learning journey that aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to emerge as strategic chief financial officers. This CFO training programme covers vast topics to help you learn strategic leadership skills, CFO roles and responsibilities and new mandates undertaken by CFOs in the last few years.
The Emerging CFO Programme is a strategic CFO course designed for mid- to senior-level finance executives aspiring CFOs. This Emerging CFO course is particularly beneficial for individuals in roles such as assistant vice presidents and directors of finance or associate directors, associate vice presidents and heads of accounting.
The CFO executive education programme has been designed with your busy schedule in mind. You will be required to commit not more than four to six hours per week, enabling you to benefit from this transformative programme while fulfilling your day-to-day work responsibilities. This online CFO course offers a blend of self-paced modules and live interaction.
The CFO development programme includes live online and video online sessions with renowned faculty, industry experts and global peers. This professional leadership course in finance allows you to take advantage of live sessions and the Slack channel to ask questions and discuss ideas with your cohort success coach and participants. Real-world examples and in-depth programme learnings are delivered through a combination of recorded video and live online lectures.
The CFO executive programme fee covers teaching fees, all academic material and access to online coursework.
You can pay the full programme fee upfront or pay in easy instalments. If you apply well in advance of the programme start date, you can receive a fee benefit. If you would like to approach your company with a sponsorship request for this programme, here is a customisable template that you can use.
Yes. Closed-captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos and closed-captioning for recordings of live sessions are available.
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support and manages learning platform services.
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Imperial Executive Education 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.
The best CFO course or programme for you depends on your goals. If you are looking to strategically enhance your financial expertise and transition to a CFO role, the Emerging Chief Financial Officer Programme from Imperial Executive Education is a comprehensive choice. The Chief Financial Officer certification is a leadership course in finance that helps you develop holistic financial strategies to drive sustainable business growth and enhance decision making.
Connect with a programme adviser for a 1:1 session
Our programme advisers have helped senior executives around the world choose the right programme for their career goals. Schedule a 1:1 to get a deeper understanding on why the Emerging CFO Programme from Imperial Executive Education is the right fit for you.
Email: learner.success@emeritus.org
Phone: +44 746 045 1107 (UK) / +1 315 236 4838 (US) / +65 3129 7468 (SG)
Early applications are encouraged. Admissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flexible payment options available.
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