chief financial officer program

Emerge as a successful CFO primed to drive transformative financial growth

The Duke Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program is an extensive 8-month multi-modular program designed to shape visionary financial leaders into transformative agents who can steer their organizations towards success in an increasingly uncertain global business arena. This immersive program will offer a deep dive into the multifaceted world of modern finance, that will equip participants with the tools to navigate complex financial decisions and emerging trends. Under the guidance of world-class Fuqua faculty and through the cutting-edge curriculum, the program will empower finance leaders with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to drive transformative financial growth within their organizations.

With this program, you will explore the frontiers of financial leadership, gain the tools to identify and tackle emerging challenges, and gain the expertise to thrive as a judicious CFO in today's dynamic corporate landscape.

Duration

August 2025 - March 2026

Format

Blended (Live Online + Classroom Sessions)

Location

Duke University Campus
(Durham, N.C., USA)

90%

of CFOs chose evaluating finance strategy, scope and design as the top priority, followed by planning and sequencing finance transformation activities.

Source: Gartner Survey 2023
79%

of CFOs say their organizations will make greater use of automation and digital technologies for operations.

Source: Deloitte CFO Signals 4Q22
53%

of CFOs are re-evaluating their investment strategy to focus on margin-improving projects.

Source: PwC Pulse Survey, August 2022

Program Benefits

Upon completion of the Chief Financial Officer Program, apart from becoming part of the CFO Program community, you will become an integral part of the global Duke Executive Education network. Additionally, you will receive select premier benefits as part of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business*:

  • The Duke CFO Program certificate from Duke Executive Education and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business
  • Inclusion in The Fuqua School of Business alumni LinkedIn network – a private group with 15,000+ alumni members
  • Inclusion in Fuqua's alumni directory with access to online searching for networking opportunities
  • Access to CareerBridge, Fuqua's Job Board, an exclusive resource for Fuqua degree students and alumni job seekers with the ability to search across several criteria including region, function, geographical location and work authorization
  • Receive the monthly alumni e-newsletter, Team Fuqua Flash, from Fuqua's Alumni Relations team
  • Access to Fuqua's alumni events and webinars
  • Access to Fuqua's Ford Library while on campus
  • Ability to post targeted career opportunities for your organization through Fuqua's Career Management Center job portal – accessible by Fuqua students and alumni only
  • Inclusion in the Duke University alumni directory and the ability to join Duke's affinity, industry, and regional groups
  • Access to create a Duke lifetime email address
  • 30% discount on future Duke Executive Education program registrations (Global partner programs excluded)

*All benefits subject to change

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Program Experience

This Chief Financial Officer Program is an extensive learning experience with a blend of classroom modules and live online modules designed especially for busy working professionals in the field of finance. Designed meticulously to meet the specific needs of finance professionals who are ready to lead their organizations through the rapidly evolving landscape of financial leadership, this program is led by sought-after Fuqua faculty. Through this program, you will be able to enhance your global network as well as establish valuable connections with fellow financial leaders who, like you, are deeply committed to shaping the future of financial leadership.

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Participant Experience

The videos below capture the experience of the participants in the Duke Chief Financial Officer Program. The program is taught by the world-class Fuqua faculty with classroom sessions at Duke University campus and live online sessions.

Eleonore Galouzeau de Villepin

Managing Director

Oberon Securities, LLC

VIEW TESTIMONIAL

Drew Dannels

Vice President, FP&A

Impinj

VIEW TESTIMONIAL

Program Highlights

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Blended Format

Immersive live-online sessions and classroom sessions at Duke University to enhance learning and networking.

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Exclusive Network

Be included in the exclusive Fuqua and Duke Executive Education networks.

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Elite Credentials

Receive credentials from a world-renowned business school.

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World-Renowned Faculty

Gain insights from distinguished faculty and industry experts.

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Leading-Edge Curriculum

An expansive curriculum focused on vital areas of modern finance.

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Real-World Application

The carefully designed learning approach promotes the immediate application of critical financial concepts.

Duke Fuqua Advantage

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business was founded in 1969 and, since then, has come to be known for attracting and nurturing a new kind of leader. One who has the power to bring out the strength in others and move teams forward toward a common purpose. Our global community is prepared for and thrives in an environment with differing viewpoints.

We foster a leadership style that inspires entire organizations to do better while doing what’s best. As a business school, we don’t just teach societal leadership, which is a core function of business; we live it through our own business practices.

With internationally renowned thought leaders on our faculty, research centers, and a collaborative culture, Duke Fuqua has quickly risen to become one of the world’s premier business schools.

Key Takeaways

You will come away from this Chief Financial Officer Program with an expertly put-together skillset, including invaluable insights and perspectives to spearhead financial leadership and adapt to the dynamic advancements. With this program, you will be able to:

  • Understand strategic risk management for CFOs and develop the capability to recognize and seize growth opportunities within the ever-evolving financial landscape
  • Acquire expertise in advanced financial decision-making skills rooted in data-driven strategies tailored specifically for financial leadership
  • Envisage the role of the latest technologies such as Web3/Crypto, Fintech, Cybersecurity, AI/ML and other digital tools to drive innovation and transformation in the financial sector
  • Create a blueprint for mergers and acquisitions and lead its implementation
  • Understand how private capital markets operate and develop the perspectives required for financing and payout decisions
  • Empower finance – driving innovative change in finance through digitization, big data, advanced analytics and disruptive financial technologies
  • Understand global contemporary issues in taxation and accounting
  • Cultivate agile leadership skills to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty
  • Cultivate exceptional communication and negotiation skills that are critical for financial leadership and managing interactions with the board of directors
  • Build and lead high-performing diverse teams for the global organization

Who Should Attend

The Chief Financial Officer Program is designed for forward-thinking financial executives entrusted with leading financial strategy, driving organizational growth, and achieving excellence in financial leadership.

  • Significant experience and demonstrated career progression and success across levels, including:
    • CXOs, Directors, Presidents, VPs, etc.
    • Managers of managers
    • Senior functional managers and business heads
  • Individuals with outstanding careers and leadership roles in a variety of settings
  • A strong drive to succeed and aspirations for reaching beyond the obvious career milestones
  • Demonstrated ability to adapt, learn, and apply new knowledge in varied situations
  • A minimum of 10 years of work experience in functional, technical, or business roles
  • A graduate degree with a strong academic track record is preferred
  • Fluency in written and spoken English

Distinguished Faculty

The program is delivered by Fuqua’s world-renowned faculty, who are leading scholars in their fields and passionate about their work. Known for their teaching and research expertise, they are visionaries in their respective fields. You will have an unparalleled learning journey as they enrich your experience with practical insights.

Academic Program Director

Prof. John Graham

Prof. John Graham

D. Richard Mead, Jr. Family Professor

Professor John Graham is the D. Richard Mead, Jr. Family Professor of Finance at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Since 1997 Graham has been the director of the Global Business Outlook (http://www.cfosurvey.org), a quarterly CFO survey that assesses the business climate and topical economic issues around the world. He appears regularly in the media to discuss the survey and corporate sector.

His past work experience includes teaching at the University of Utah and seven years working as a senior economist at Virginia Power. He has been co-editor of the Journal of Finance, associate editor of The Journal of Finance, The Review of Financial Studies, Finance Research Letters, and Financial Management, and has served on the board of directors of the American Finance Association, the Western Finance Association, and the Financial Management Association, three of the largest academic finance professional organizations. Graham is currently President-elect of the Financial Management Association and has been President of the Western Finance Association, is a Fellow of the Financial Management Association, and is a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Program faculty may include*:

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Aaron (Ronnie) Chatterji
Mark Burgess & Lisa Benson-Burgess Distinguished Professor of Strategy
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Alon Brav
Bratton Family Distinguished Professor of Finance
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Ashleigh Shelby Rosette
James Vincent Professor of Leadership
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Anna Cieslak
Associate Professor of Finance
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Campbell R. Harvey
J. Paul Sticht Professor; Professor of Finance; American Finance Association Fellow; Duke-CFO Survey Founding Director
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David Brown
Snow Family Distinguished Professor of Decision Sciences
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David T. Robinson
James and Gail Vander Weide Professor of Finance
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Glenn Hopper
Instructor, Executive Education, and CFO, Eventus Advisory Group
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Jimmie Lenz
Executive in residence, Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs
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Manuel Adelino
Professor of Finance
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Salman Azhar
Executive in Residence, Faculty
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Scott Dyreng
Professor of Accounting
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Sim Sitkin
Michael W. Krzyzewski University Professor of Leadership
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Veronica Root Martinez
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Distinguished Professor of Law
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Vish Viswanathan
F. M. Kirby Professor of Finance
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William J. Mayew
Martin L. Black Jr. Distinguished Professor of Business Administration
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Shep Moyle
Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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Prof. Daisy Lovelace
Associate Professor of the Practice; Executive Director, Management Communication Center

*Program faculty is subject to change

Curriculum

The CFO Program is purposefully designed for seasoned financial professionals and leaders who want to work towards cultivating a forward-looking mindset and driving organizational success through strategic and informed financial planning. The extensive curriculum encompasses essential topics that equip participants with strategic, analytical, and managerial competencies vital for thriving in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

Evolving Technology Trends in Finance
  • New Frontiers in Finance – AI/ML, Web 3, Cybersecurity
  • Leveraging Big Data for Financial Analytics
  • Fintech Evolution – The Financial Services Industry Transformation
Strategic Capital Investment & Human Capital Investment
  • Future-proofing the Organization: Strategic Investment Management
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Divestitures
  • Compensation
Strategic Financial & Payout Decisions
  • Risk Management
  • Debt vs. Equity
  • Dividends & Repurchases
Global Issues in Accounting, Tax, and Governance
  • Contemporary Issues in Taxation and Accounting
  • Communication and Managing the Narrative with Analysts and Investors, Journalists, Crowd-sourced
  • Governance & Interacting with Activist Investors
  • Using Financial Statements Ratios for Assessing Company Performance and to Benchmark against Peers
Finance Strategy in a Global Context
  • Key Value Drivers and Competitive Advantage
  • Navigating Global Financial Markets, Currency Fluctuations & Inflation
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance in Finance
C-Suite Leadership
  • Agile Leadership through Crises, Ambiguity & Uncertainty
  • Executive Presence and Influence
  • Interacting with the Board of Directors and driving strategic negotiations
  • Leadership, Ethics and driving dynamic high-performing teams
  • CFO as Strategic Partner to CEO
  • ESG Reporting & Climate Finance
Funding Innovation & Private Capital Markets
  • How to Fund Innovation
  • How Private Capital Markets Work
Financial Reporting Analytics
  • Strategic Finance: Using Big Data and Finance Analytics to Improve Financial Decision-making
  • Discretion in Accounting and Financial Reporting Analytics

*These topics are illustrative and subject to change.

Capstone Project

The program curriculum covers many topics that connect with the many roles that CFOs play. Central to these topics is the preservation and creation of value for the company.

This capstone project serves as a comprehensive platform for senior finance executives to apply their expertise, hone their problem-solving skills, drive value-creation within their organizations, or pursue innovative ventures in the broader business landscape. While the project is largely self-directed, there will be periodic check-ins with peer groups as well as the full cohort. On the final day of the program, participants will present their projects to each other in break-out sessions. Following which participants in each break-out session will choose one capstone project to be presented as part of a showcase to the full cohort and faculty.

The project requires every participant to develop a strategic financial plan for an opportunity that considers and integrates several dimensions of the learnings from the program. Additionally, the plan must be applied to their company, division, business function, or product line. It should emphasize the finance role and when possible, the valuation implications.

The capstone project will unfold in five distinct phases:

  1. Identify the Opportunity: Methodically analyze the chosen area to identify a topic.
  2. Develop a Plan: Design a plan for improvement for the opportunity identified in Phase I.
  3. Stakeholder Communication: Develop effective communication strategies to convey the financial strategy to internal and external stakeholders.
  4. Implementation Roadmap: Create a detailed roadmap to implement the proposed financial strategy, including key milestones, resource allocation, etc.
  5. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation: Establish a framework to continuously monitor the financial performance and market dynamics.

Admissions

The program follows a simple 3-step application process. The step-by-step process is outlined below.

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Submit Application
Candidates can apply to the program online and attach all required materials as outlined in the requirements below.
APPLY NOW
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Rolling Admission
The Admissions team will assess your application as soon as it is received.
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Interview
Candidates might be required to give an interview before being accepted into the program. Once all the requirements are completed, the Admissions team will notify the candidate with a decision.

Application Requirement

The program follows a simple 3-step application process. The step-by-step process is outlined below.

  • A resume in Word or PDF format
  • Two professional references to discuss your candidacy in detail

About Duke University

Duke University traces its origins to a small school that opened in 1838 in Randolph County, North Carolina. The university has changed in many ways since its founding, and today, the ever evolving Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, doctorate, and professional degrees.

Our vision for the next decade is “to grow, connect, and empower diverse and inclusive communities of excellence to enhance the creation, delivery, and translation of knowledge for a rapidly changing world.”

In collaboration with Great Learning

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business is collaborating with online education provider Great Learning to offer the Chief Financial Officer Program. Great Learning is a professional learning company with a global footprint in 170+ countries. Its mission is to make professionals around the globe proficient and future-ready. This program leverages Duke Fuqua's leadership in innovation, science, engineering, and technical disciplines developed over years of research, teaching, and practice. Great Learning manages the enrollments and provides industry experts, student counselors, course support and guidance to ensure students get hands-on training and live personalized mentorship on the application of concepts taught by the Duke Fuqua's faculty.

Duration
8 Month (August 2025 - March 2026)
Format
Blended (Live Online + Classroom Sessions)
Download Brochure

Connect with a Program Advisor

Schedule a 1:1 session with our Program Advisor for better understanding on whether the Duke Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program is the right fit for you.

Email: cfo-program@fuqua.duke.edu

Call: +1 919-885-0236 (USA)

Get More Information

Check out the program and fee details in our brochure

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