- India’s CFOs face rising expectations as the nation targets a $5 trillion economy, 94 percent say GenAI will significantly impact tax functions, underscoring a need for digital fluency and strategic leadership (EY TFO Survey 2024).
- Wharton Executive Education launches its prestigious CFO Program in India with Emeritus, empowering senior finance leaders through global best practices tailored to local business challenges.
- Program blends global insights with India-specific learning, featuring live Wharton faculty, immersive sessions, and networking with high-caliber peers to shape future-ready CFOs driving financial strategy and innovation.
With India's drive to be a $5 trillion economy by 2027-28, combined with increasing financialization and upcoming technologies such as generative AI, the CFO's role is changing at a pace never seen before. The CFO's role is growing beyond finance and now includes strategy and innovation in a situation where there is widening expectations versus preparedness gap. Interestingly, 94 percent of Indian CFOs and finance leaders believe that GenAI will have a major influence on their tax function, signaling the increasing need to develop GenAI fluency and future-capable strengths at the leadership level according to the EY TFO Survey 2024.
As the finance function becomes a strategic pillar of business expansion, Wharton Executive Education now takes its internationally renowned Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program to India in collaboration with Emeritus, providing Indian CFOs and top finance leaders with a strategic advantage through global-class insights, best practices, and locally applicable frameworks.
With a focus on the nexus between India's emerging leadership needs and world-class education, the Wharton CFO Program presents a unique opportunity for finance professionals. Geared to senior finance leaders, it addresses C-suite executives, such as existing CFOs, VPs of finance, and financial directors who are driving financial strategy and organizational development. The program is especially useful for multinational corporation CFOs and mid-market companies aspiring for leadership roles, and senior finance leaders with 15+ years of experience who are seeking to move into CFO roles.
Commenting on the launch of the programme, Avnish Singhal, Executive Vice President, Head India & APAC, Emeritus, said, "Emeritus is excited to introduce this world-class program in India in association with Wharton Executive Education. Our aim is to empower Indian finance professionals with the skills and network necessary to thrive at the nexus of financial strategy, digital innovation, and sustainability, and foster meaningful growth for their organizations".
David Wessels, adjunct full professor of finance at the Wharton School, Director, Wharton Executive Education; and Academic Director of the program further stated, As India positions itself as a global financial hub, CFOs are under greater pressure to not just manage financial performance but also spearhead strategic initiatives. This program provides Indian leaders with unrivaled access to world-class faculty, enabling them to address rising challenges and capitalize on opportunities for growth in the financial industry.
Wharton CFO Program provides an experiential learning experience, combining live online sessions by Wharton's globally recognized faculty, such as David Wessels, Mary-Hunter McDonnell, and Rahul Kapoor, with flexible asynchronous modules to provide a rich, self-directed experience. The program includes two India immersions (two + three days), during which participants attend masterclasses of high-impact, learn from industry experts, and interact with Wharton alumni. This immersion fosters global financial leadership practices that allow participants to address India-specific issues. With unprecedented access to Wharton's faculty knowledge, real-life case studies, and a top-notch group of senior finance executives, the program provides exceptional opportunities to enhance leadership and catalyze change within organizations.
Program Details:
- Start Date: September 2025
- Duration: 6 months
- Mode: Online + Live Sessions | 2 India Immersions (2+3 days)
- Eligibility: Minimum 10 years of work experience
- Fee: INR 9,15,000 + GST
Certification: Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a digital certificate of completion from Wharton Executive Education and exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities.
This program equips participants to accelerate their career trajectory, expand their global outlook, and lead with agility in a rapidly evolving economic and regulatory environment. The curriculum is curated to address emerging priorities in finance ranging from global leadership and advanced corporate finance to AI disruption and governance tailored to the Indian context, empowering leaders to drive long-term enterprise value.
