June 19th, 2025: Amid India’s push toward a $5 trillion economy by 2027-28, coupled with rising financialization and emerging technologies like generative AI, the role of the CFO is evolving faster than ever. In a market where the CFO’s role is expanding beyond finance to encompass strategy and innovation, there is an increasing gap between expectations and readiness. Notably, 94 percent of CFOs and finance leaders in India expect GenAI to significantly impact their tax functions, highlighting the growing urgency to build GenAI fluency and future-ready capabilities at the leadership level as per the EY TFO Survey 2024.

As the finance function expands into a strategic cornerstone of enterprise growth, Wharton Executive Education now brings its globally acclaimed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Program to India in partnership with Emeritus, offering Indian CFOs and senior finance leaders a strategic edge through world-class insights, global best practices, and locally relevant frameworks.

Focusing on the intersection of India’s evolving leadership needs and world-class education, the Wharton CFO Program offers a distinct opportunity for finance professionals. Designed for senior finance leaders, it targets C-suite executives, including current CFOs, VPs of finance, and financial directors who are shaping financial strategies and organizational growth. The program is particularly valuable for CFOs of multinational corporations and mid-sized companies aiming for leadership roles, as well as senior finance professionals with 15+ years of experience looking to transition into CFO positions.

Speaking on the launch of the program, Avnish Singhal, Executive Vice President, Head India & APAC, Emeritus, said, “Emeritus is delighted to bring this world-class program to India with Wharton Executive Education. Our commitment is to provide Indian finance professionals with the tools and network they need to excel at the intersection of financial strategy, digital transformation, and sustainability, driving impactful growth for their organizations.”

David Wessels, adjunct full professor of finance, the Wharton School; Director, Wharton Executive Education; and the program’s Academic Director added, “As India positions itself as a global financial powerhouse, CFOs are under increasing pressure to not only manage financial performance but also drive strategic initiatives. This program offers Indian leaders unparalleled access to world-class expertise, helping them tackle emerging challenges and seize growth opportunities in the financial sector.”

The Wharton CFO Program offers an innovative learning experience, blending live online sessions delivered by Wharton’s world-renowned faculty, including David Wessels, Mary-Hunter McDonnell, and Rahul Kapoor, alongside flexible asynchronous modules for a dynamic, self-paced journey. The program features two India immersions (two + three days), where participants engage in high-impact masterclasses, gain insights from industry leaders, and network with Wharton alumni. This immersion promotes global financial leadership practices, enabling participants to tackle India-specific challenges. With unparalleled access to Wharton’s faculty expertise, real-world case studies, and an elite cohort of senior finance professionals, the program offers unique opportunities to strengthen leadership and drive transformation 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.