Overview
Columbia Business School and EY have co-developed a unique and exclusive program, curated for an exclusive group of the most senior finance executives in leading organizations, to enhance their skills and readiness to excel in the CFO role.
This very select program is focused on the specific needs and challenges faced by seasoned executives (e.g., SVP/VP) in large organizations (e.g., Fortune 250) as they round their experiences to become Corporate CFOs in the next few years. The program is delivered as a collaborative effort between Columbia Business School faculty and EY practitioners. The curriculum is also enriched with guest speakers, including incumbent C-suite executives, board members, and external analysts.
In Collaboration with:
Program Structure
The EY Chief Financial Officer Program is scheduled over a six-month span, this program will encompass three multi-day, in-person modules (Modules 1 and 3 will be conducted in New York and Module 2 in Chicago). Furthermore, six virtual sessions between the modules will encompass key finance and professional development topics such as M&A, Capital Allocation, Enterprise Risk Management, Intuitive Data.
Building Your Strategic Point of View as C-Suite Leader
- CFO Journey Insights
- The Role of the CFO in Value Creation
- Leadership: Enterprise and Beyond
- Corporate Strategy
- Decision Making and Bias
- Negotiation and Persuasion
3 days in person from September 16–18, 2025 in New York, NY
Virtual Session
Plus 6 virtual sessions from October 2025 to February 2026 covering key finance and professional development topics (e.g., M&A, Capital Allocation, Enterprise Risk Management, Intuitive Data)
Why this Program?
- Tailor made program: Only program exclusively tailored to a very specific, seasoned group executives (e.g., SVP or VP) in leading, large organizations aiming for the CFO role within five years
- Diverse, peer-based cohort: 30 true peers with distinctive leadership track-record in their companies and across their career
- Customized CFO journeys: Small teams of 5-6 peers, guided by a journey partner, to foster a close connection, the ability to learn from each other's experiences, and craft specific CFO journeys and actions relevant for each participant in their CFO path
- Thoughtfully developed curriculum: Crafted for impact and guided by seasoned Fortune 250 CFOs, the curriculum provides insights into all aspects of a CFO (finance and non-finance) and brings practical learnings with an operator mindset
- Approach to balance day-to-day executive demands: Combination of rich in-person classes with virtual sessions to be able to work within the time constraint of key senior executive
- Unrivalled future network: Establish lasting relationships with current and future peer CFOs who would be leaders at the largest companies of today and tomorrow
Program Directors
![Amir_Ziv_Professor of Professional Practice_Accounting_Division_Columbia_Business_School](https://cbs-prod-9579db44-78bb-40df-9c2b-5f630c4c0a73.storage.googleapis.com/s3fs-public/styles/wide/public/2024-01/Amir%20Ziv-1705_rt.jpg?itok=6hNb_FiG)
Amir Ziv
Professor of Professional Practice Accounting Division Columbia Business School
Program Faculty will also include:
- Columbia Business School faculty
- EY practitioners
- Guest speakers: including incumbent C-suite executives, board members, and external analysts
CFO Advisory Council
Participant Profile
Senior executives (e.g. Senior Vice President), each being a direct report to the CFO and personally selected by CFO for participation. Typical roles include:
- Controller/Chief Accounting Officer
- Business Unit/Regional CFO
- Head of FP&A
- Head of Investor Relations
- Treasurer/Head of M&A
Prior cohort participants have ~24 years of professional experience and represented companies collectively with more than $3T in aggregate market capitalization.
Sponsorship from a current C-suite member is required.
Program participants will be eligible to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. | ![]() |
Application Process
Your application will require that you assemble some basic information about you and your professional background. Importantly, the application is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and tell us who you are through two short questions about your professional experience and the specific objectives you aspire to achieve by participating in the program. After you submit your application, we will be reviewing candidates on a rolling basis, and you can expect to hear from us once a decision has been made. We recommend submitting your application as early as possible