Chief Financial Officer

Master financial leadership, strategic thinking and value generation.

Work Experience

Program Overview

Grounded in the distinctive Booth approach to business—combining rigorous academics with real-world application—this 10-month executive learning journey is built on two core pillars. You’ll develop technical expertise in critical CFO domains while sharpening your strategic thinking, leadership, and delegation skills. You'll emerge from this program as a more effective business leader, with the technical acumen and management capabilities that you need to excel as a CFO.

This program equips you to:

  • Analyze the evolving role of the CFO across industries and organizational types to identify emerging trends, responsibilities, and strategic opportunities.

  • Build strategies to align business goals with capital allocation, risk management, and performance metrics to maximize value for the organization.

  • Develop optimal capital structure strategies by synthesizing debt, equity, and asset management principles to support organizational growth and stability.

  • Design governance frameworks and risk management plans that ensure transparency, compliance, and financial stability in alignment with organizational priorities.

  • Assess and integrate financial technologies and innovations, including AI, analytics, and fintech solutions, to enhance operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.

  • Lead organizational transformation efforts, such as digital transformation or ESG initiatives, by creating actionable plans, measuring progress, and communicating effectively with stakeholders.

  • Cultivate strategic leadership within the C-suite by building collaborative relationships, influencing decision-making, and guiding organizational vision through financial expertise.

Learning Journey

The program comprises the following seven courses, each exploring knowledge areas and competencies essential for excelling in the CFO role:

Program Highlights

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Instruction from Specialists

Learn from instructors and instructional assistants with extensive industry knowledge, so that what you learn today produces measurable impact tomorrow.

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In-Person Experience

Immerse yourself in a unique in-person journey. During three days in Chicago, you can meet your fellow participants, collaborate, and network organically.

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The Booth Community

Stay connected with each other after the program ends. Join the Global Booth Community of scholars and industry leaders.

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Industry Speakers

Learn from accomplished industry professionals who bring real-world expertise and practical insights to enrich your educational experience with Chicago Booth.

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Program Archive

Participants will have access to the virtual campus for six months after the program ends so that they can continue to review recordings of live sessions, readings, videos activities, and other content.

Learning experience

Flexible method

Our online learning approach is designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule, commitments, and unique needs. Combining self-paced content with interactive elements, our programs feature knowledge checks, discussion boards, simulations, and live-online sessions that bring the learning experience to life.

User-friendly platform

You'll easily navigate program content through an intuitive interface designed to provide a seamless and engaging learning experience.

Tailored guidance

Throughout the program, you’ll be accompanied by an expert mentor to answer your questions and provide feedback on your work.

Who is it for?

Participants who will benefit from the program often hold job titles such as the following:

  • Director, VP, SVP, or EVP of finance, corporate or regional controller, treasurer, divisional CFO, or investment banker.

The program also welcomes sitting CFOs looking to upskill and other senior executives in roles like the following:

  • Chief Executive Officers, Chief Accounting Officers, Chief Operating Officers, and others in the C-suite seeking to develop CFO skills and/or transition into the CFO role

Meet Your Teaching Team and Contributors

The program is overseen academically by a Booth faculty member. Its courses are taught by faculty from Booth and the University of Chicago as well as leading executives drawn from industry, including CFOs. They will teach you cutting-edge knowledge, strategic frameworks, and critical thinking skill so that you can excel in the C-suite now and throughout your career.

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Michael Minnis

Deputy Dean for Faculty, Fuji Bank and Heller Professor of Accounting, and Chief Financial Officer Program Director

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Anna Costello

Jeffrey Breakenridge Keller Professor of Accounting, and Financial Strategy for the CFO Instructor

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Vasant Prabhu

Guest Speaker | Board Member, Former Vice Chairman & CFO at Visa,Inc

After completing the CFO Executive Education Program, you will be able to:

After completing the CFO Executive Education Program, you will be able to:

  • Analyze the evolving responsibilities of the CFO—from budgeting to strategic oversight in ESG, M&A, and cybersecurity—and define the type of CFO you aspire to become.

  • Navigate the intricacies of capital allocation, performance evaluation, and strategic planning to drive growth through acquisitions, partnerships, and other corporate initiatives.

  • Optimize capital structure decisions, including debt and equity financing, while effectively engaging with investors, analysts, and other key stakeholders.

  • Build robust financial controls and enterprise risk management strategies to ensure transparency, compliance, and resilience.

  • Assess and adopt analytics, AI, and financial technologies, leveraging decision-making frameworks to innovate responsibly and effectively.

  • Spearhead and report on digital, sustainability, and crisis-driven transformations, addressing stakeholder expectations and driving organizational change.

After you complete the program, you will earn a certificate of completion from Chicago Booth Executive Education and a digital badge recognizing your accomplishment.

Past Participant Profile

Past participants of the Chief Financial Officer Executive Education Program come from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences. The cohort’s diversity ensures that you interact with like-minded peers and gain new perspectives for your organization’s unique challenges.

Average years of work experience

  • More than 20 years: 54%

  • 15-20 years: 38%

  • 10-15 years: 8%

Industry

  • Chief Financial Officer

  • Chief Software Officer

  • Vice President

  • Investor Relations

  • Corporate Development

  • Treasurer

Top functions

  • Technology/Telecom

  • Consulting

  • Financial Services

  • Consumer Products/Retail

  • Construction

  • Health Care/Health Services

  • Manufacturing

  • Accounting

*Note: Data from previous cohorts

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Admission Process 

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Application

Complete the application form and pay the non-refundable fee.

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Review

Our program advisors will evaluate your application.

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Results

Await the decision from our program advisors. If accepted, you'll be able to complete your enrollment.

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Enrollment

If you receive an offer of admission, you’ll have 72 hours to pay the enrollment fee and reserve your place.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Schedule a call with one of our Program Advisors or call us at +1 470 466 8132.

Enroll now and save your spot.

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