Executive Finance Program

Chicago Booth School of Business

Finance Programs

About Programme

Navigate the future of corporate finance and capital markets.

The Executive Finance Program is designed for executives who seek to improve financial corporate performance through stronger strategic and financial decision-making.

With online preparation completed in advance, this five-day program will deepen your understanding of corporate finance and examines how financial and business strategies intersect to drive value. Through Booth’s rigorous, research-based curriculum, you’ll not only strengthen strategic alignment and support long-term growth, but also gain hands-on fluency in the tools senior leaders use to make financial decisions. By the end, you won’t just understand the numbers—you’ll know how to use them to drive performance, strengthen alignment, and lead with confidence in the boardroom.

This program serves as an elective to:

Advanced Management Program

Global Advanced Finance Program

Programme Content

Financial Statement Analysis and Cash Flow Forecasting

Learn key terminology.

Review of financial statements and cash flows.

Use DuPont analysis to understand drivers of profitability.

Evaluate quality of earnings analysis.

Understand free cash flow versus earnings.

Investment Decisions and Valuation

Evaluate projects using net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR).

Calculate cost of capital: weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

Understand valuation methods: DCF, APV, multiples.

Apply valuation to M&A deals.

Financing Decisions

Explore financing sources.

Understand how capital structure decisions affect value.

Assess financing instruments to implement a desired capital structure.

Examine distressed debt.

Entrepreneurial Finance

Understand entrepreneurial finance, private equity, venture capital, and leveraged buyouts.

Explore new venture strategy.

Creating Shareholder Value

Gain different perspectives on corporate governance and the role of boards.

Formulating Strategy

Understand the difference between goals, strategy, and management.

Identify the role of senior management in setting strategy.

Explore the frameworks great strategists use.

Analyze competitors and predict their actions.

Evaluate which data is useful to build your strategy.

Programme Objective

By attending, you'll strengthen your ability to:

Financial Statement Mastery:

Understand how your organization’s economic outcomes are reflected in financial statements—and how those statements are interpreted by internal and external stakeholders.

Analyze the financial statements of competitors and peers to uncover underlying economics and market position.

Communicate financial insights more effectively with CFOs, executives, analysts, and investors.

Valuation & Capital Structure:

Apply modern valuation techniques to evaluate projects, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts.

Assess how capital structure, liquidity, and leverage affect firm value and business performance.

Growth and Entrepreneurial Finance:

Explore entrepreneurial finance, including private equity and venture capital, to sharpen growth strategy.

Build strategic intuition to identify competitive advantages, scan for patterns, and make smarter investment decisions.

External Pressures and Real-World Insights:

Anticipate and respond to external pressures from activist investors, short-sellers, and other stakeholders.

Connect theory to practice through real-world insights from Booth faculty and distinguished guest speakers.

Programme Audience

Mid- to senior-level executives with strategic financial responsibilities—whether in finance or other functions—who manage P&Ls, allocate resources, or shape outcomes. Download the program brochure for in-depth insights into who should attend, participant profiles, and the ideal candidate.

Download brochure

Testimonials

"The program was not only insightful but truly transformative. It reshaped the way I approach financial strategy and decision-making by giving me practical tools I can apply immediately in my role. What stood out most was the combination of world-class faculty, real-world case studies, and the opportunity to learn alongside other senior leaders from diverse industries. It was absolutely worth the financial and time investment, as the return has been clear in the way I now drive impact within my organization."

Tosin Okojie

Board / Founder, Hillside Ventures

Testimonial Source