CFO's Executive Program

The CFO’s Executive Program Certificate is a two-component curriculum designed to provide a strong foundation for success. The CFO’s Operational Skills Program’s goals include developing core technical and operational skills, and the CFO’s Leadership Program focuses on management and leadership skills.

You have the option to complete either one of these programs. If you successfully finish both components, you will be awarded the CPA Alberta CFO’s Executive Program Certificate of Completion!

The blend of the Operational and Leadership course is a fantastic program to help clarify the role of the CFO. There was a wide range of topics covered, and some very real tools were provided to help any aspiring and refresh even the seasoned professional. I wish I would have done this ten years ago; it would have given me the perspective needed to reduce my stress load.
MONIQUE DERY, CFO'S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANT

CFO's Leadership Program

The role of the Chief Financial Officer continues to evolve. Beyond technical expertise, today’s CFOs need to make strategic financial decisions in a changing dynamic environment. This program develops inspired, authentic leaders capable of solving challenging problems as a valued member of the C-suite.

Register (March 2026 course)
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Summary

Course Summary

From supporting and driving strategic decision-making to strong financial stewardship, there is a need for the CFO to demonstrate expertise in a broad range of areas, including regulation, globalization, technology, risk, transformation, stakeholder management, reporting, and talent management. In short, they need to be truly effective leaders.

The CFO’s Leadership Program is an intensive and interactive program that blends best practices, case studies, group discussions and role-play to allow participants to advance their leadership skills to move from the technical aspects of being a finance professional to being a strategic partner and catalyst for organizational change. This program concentrates on areas where CFOs have told us they feel they need the most help.

Special Features

Leadership Assessment: Each participant is involved in two Leadership Assessments to help frame your role as a CFO today and provide an opportunity for individual growth.

  • 360° Leadership and Organizational Assessment.
  • 360° Assessment of Strengths in the Role of a CFO.

One-on-One Coaching: Each participant receives the exclusive opportunity to have a session with a professional executive coach to explore ways to improve your leadership capacity.

Data-backed approach: This program uses up-to-date, verifiable research and theories with casework.

Curriculum

How to be a Strategist:

  • Shift from the operational phase to the strategic phase to tap into the different perspectives of all stakeholders to influence desired result
  • Help your team execute better by being a better strategist
  • Explore the gap between corporate strategic goals and the day-to-day operations in rapidly changing environments
  • Understand how the role of the CFO impacts the development and sustainability of a positive corporate culture
  • Discuss tools and techniques for how to drive change

Communicating and The Art of Persuasion

  • Convey complex financial results and business performance to drive actionable outcomes through powerful presentations
  • Give powerful presentations and receive feedback that will enhance your specific style
  • Frame the organization both internally and externally
  • Explore impacts on communication from core drivers such as globalization, technology, and multi-generational workforces.

Leading & Influencing

  • Develop a more effective leadership style to help lead your organization through globalization and growth.
  • Give & receive effective feedback
  • Plan for your own succession
  • Understand and explore when pay for performance is the right tool to drive performance and when it can impede desired results
  • Create and sustain resilient leadership
  • Effectively manage your personal well-being including managing daily tasks, interactions, and relationships
  • Build ‘executive presence’ to be yourself while inspiring others
  • Position yourself to have the greatest strategic impact both currently and in the future with the senior leadership team, other key stakeholders in the organization, and with a board of directors

Negotiations

  • Enhance your ability to negotiate and build consensus at the C-level
  • Understand your negotiation style and its impact
  • Explore various approaches to negotiations for success in today’s business environment
  • Review techniques and tools for internal and external negotiations


There are up to 28 CPD Hours associated with this program. Please visit CPD Reporting for more information.

Lesley-Ann Marriott

Lesley-Ann Marriott is a Certified Executive Coach who holds the highest credential of Professional Certified Coach. A former executive in the food industry, Lesley-Ann has over 25 years of leadership and management experience. She has facilitated hundreds of corporate partnerships at the most senior levels of the world’s largest food companies – Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Nestle. Contracts in excess of $50 million and managing sales of over $2.5 billion were negotiated based on dynamic, collaborative partnerships.

Today, Lesley-Ann’s clients include a roster of Executive Directors, Board leaders, Vice Presidents, CEO/CFOs and business owners who face a range of challenges: strategic development, launching new businesses, managing conflict, managing global/cross-cultural teams, improving the effectiveness of their board, identifying and developing their star performers, creating a team that is engaged in the company vision.

Senior leaders and independent business owners work hard to get to the top and often feel that they are carrying the load themselves. These leaders are fueled by the challenge to be the best; they are driven to grow and develop. Lesley-Ann helps these leaders connect with their talents and exceed their own high standards, and most importantly bring others along with them.

Lesley-Ann has a diploma in Marketing, is a faculty member of the CPA BC and Alberta (Chartered Professional Accountants Association) Executive Leadership Programs, Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and Dalhousie University, NS in the Grauduate Certificate for Executive Coaching program, and is a facilitator of the SDI 2.0 ®- Strength Deployment InventoryR, a proven tool for Managing Conflict & Improving Relationships.

Tammy Towill

Tammy Towill FCPA, FCMA, MBA, is a partner in the Cordura Group and faculty with Capilano University, providing business advisory services and related education and training programs to organizations and communities seeking growth or change. For over 25 years, Tammy has worked with private and public sector companies throughout North America and Europe, providing education, training and facilitating in the areas of leadership, strategy, business planning and curriculum development and implementation. She has served on and worked with several boards in Canada and the US.

Registration CFO's Leadership Program

 

Date

Learning

Register
March 18 – 21, 2026 In-Person CFO's Leadership Program (March 2026)

CFO's Operational Skills Program

The role of the CFO is to lead, initiate, and manage the financial decision-making process within the organization. This program reinforces your operational skills and provides fresh ideas as you guide your organization and yourself through the business landscape.

Next course: coming soon
1

Summary

Course Summary

We are pleased to welcome a new instructor for this course and are currently finalizing the details. Please watch for updates in CPA Alberta communications or revisit this listing for information on the next available course offering.

As the CEO and Board's senior advisor, the CFO assumes six key roles: business partner, scorekeeper, commentator, expert, custodian, and conscience. This demands a holistic perspective, blending overarching business understanding with a keen grasp of numerical aspects. Additionally, they must lead, promote growth, and actively contribute to executing the business strategy. This program delivers the essential CFO competencies from corporate governance, risk management, and pandemic-driven changes to business valuation, strategic planning, and behavioral economics. The CFO Operational Skills Program provides the skills needed to lead, foster growth, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

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