Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program
From Numbers to Enterprise Impact: Lead Change as a CFO
Overview
The seven-month UC Berkeley Executive Education Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program equips current and aspiring CFOs with the strategic, financial, and leadership capabilities needed to navigate disruption and lead confidently. Through live online sessions, practical assignments, and real-world case studies, participants explore financial strategy, AI and emerging technologies, risk management, and enterprise leadership.
Guided by UC Berkeley Haas faculty and industry experts, the program provides a holistic understanding of modern financial leadership and prepares participants to become trusted strategic advisors and transformational business leaders.
Key Takeaways
Drive strategic financial growth
Develop and execute financial strategies that create competitive advantage, maximize enterprise value, and support sustainable long-term growth
Strengthen Resilience and Strategic Decision Making
Enhance risk management capabilities while leveraging AI, data science, and emerging technologies to make informed financial decisions
Lead Investments and Growth Opportunities
Drive effective capital allocation, investment planning, and M&A strategies to unlock growth and accelerate business transformation
Build Influential and Future-Ready Leadership
Strengthen executive presence, foster cross-functional collaboration, and cultivate a culture of agility, inclusion, and strategic change across the organization
More about the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program
The learning journey
The Berkeley Executive Education Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program delivers a transformative learning experience covering strategic finance, AI-driven innovation, leadership, M&A, and emerging technologies. Through live faculty-led sessions, real-world applications, peer collaboration, and practical assignments, participants gain enterprise-wide insights.
AI strategy for CFOs
The program helps finance leaders apply AI to financial planning, automation, and business transformation through interactive sessions and practical projects focused on innovation, data-driven leadership, and ethical implementation.
Live online sessions on AI in finance
Learn to leverage AI-driven analytics for decision making, address governance and ethical considerations, and develop strategies for integrating AI into finance functions while managing talent, processes, automation, and the evolving role of the CFO.
Global leadership campus immersion
The Global Leadership Campus Immersion at the UC Berkeley Haas campus brings together participants across cohorts for faculty-led sessions, keynote talks, and peer networking. The experience offers opportunities to deepen learning and exchange global perspectives.
Who's it for
The Berkeley Executive Education Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program empowers current and aspiring CFOs to drive strategic innovation, navigate financial disruption, and lead confidently in today’s evolving business landscape. The program is ideal for, but not limited to:
- Current CFOs seeking to evolve with the changing demands of the finance function and strengthen their ability to drive growth and deliver long-term organizational value
- Aspiring CFOs aiming to broaden their strategic perspective, expand beyond functional expertise, and transition into enterprise-wide leadership roles
Want to approach your employer about supporting your development? Check out this article.
Format & Structure
Blended
- Two-day in-person networking event at the UC Berkeley Haas campus in California
- Live online sessions on AI in finance
- World-renowned UC Berkeley Haas and Executive Education faculty
- Join peer circles, a close-knit learning community of a subset of your classmates for confidential, substantive discussions
- Access select UC Berkeley Haas alumni benefits upon completion of the program
- Upon completion, this program awards 12 curriculum days (minimum requirement of 17 curriculum days) toward COBE under Leadership & Communication and Finance & Business Acumen pillars
Dates & Costs
Blended
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What makes the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program relevant for today’s finance leaders?
The program is designed to help finance executives navigate emerging business challenges, including AI adoption, digital transformation, and enterprise risk. It focuses on helping CFOs evolve from traditional financial oversight roles into enterprise-wide strategic partners.
How much time should I expect to dedicate to the program each week?
Participants should plan to dedicate approximately three to five hours per week to coursework, live sessions, peer discussions, and applied learning activities. The flexible online format is designed to accommodate the schedules of busy senior finance professionals.
Are there opportunities to network with other senior finance leaders during the program?
Yes, the program emphasizes peer learning through collaborative discussions, networking opportunities, cohort-based activities, and an on-campus immersion experience at UC Berkeley Haas.
Does the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program include practical applications or only academic concepts?
The curriculum is designed with a strong focus on real-world application, including industry case studies, leadership exercises, and applied business scenarios that can be implemented immediately.
Will I receive alumni benefits or continued access to learning resources after completing the program?
Participants gain access to an extended network of peers and executive education professionals, along with select post-program learning resources and updates.
Partner
UC Berkeley Executive Education has partnered with Emeritus to deliver high-impact online programs. This collaboration broadens access to our premier management thought leadership while maintaining the exceptional quality of UC Berkeley.
Faculty
Sara Beckman
Teaching Professor | Earl F. Cheit Faculty Fellow Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Innovation & Design | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability, Haas School of Business
Jennifer Chatman
Bank of America Dean | Co-Founder, Berkeley Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation | Professor, Management of Organizations, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Jenny Herbert Creek
Professional Faculty | Finance, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Juliana Schroeder
Associate Professor | Harold Furst Chair in Management Philosophy & Values | Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership | Management of Organizations
Certificates
Certificate of Completion
Signal your professional achievement to your network and get recognized for your completion! Upon successful completion of the program, UC Berkeley Executive Education grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants that you are encouraged to add to your profiles.
Note: This program results in a digital certificate of completion and is not eligible for degree credit/CEUs. After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you directly. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of UC Berkeley Executive Education.
Certificate of Business Excellence
Participants in the Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE) program will earn a mark of distinction from a world-class university, gain access to a powerful global network, and enjoy the flexibility of completing the program in up to three years. A UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence allows individuals to create a personal learning journey structured by our four academic pillars to gain management essentials in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Finance to drive both personal and organizational development.
