The Indian Institute of Management Lucknow has opened admissions for the 9th batch of its Chief Financial Officer Programme, a 10-month course designed for senior finance professionals and aspiring C-suite leaders. The programme aims to develop financial acumen, leadership judgment, and strategic perspective necessary for steering growth, transformation, and value creation in complex business environments.
Programme Structure and Collaboration
The programme is conducted in collaboration with TimesPro, a higher edtech platform, and focuses on CFO readiness and boardroom leadership. It prepares finance managers to move beyond functional expertise and lead enterprise priorities such as capital allocation, cost optimization, long-term value creation, fundraising, valuations, and mergers and acquisitions. Participants will also enhance their ability to influence C-suite decisions, manage treasury and enterprise risk, guide crisis response, lead cross-functional teams, design performance dashboards, and deploy automated forecasting models.
Evolving Role of CFOs
As organizations operate in an environment shaped by volatility, digital disruption, stakeholder scrutiny, and heightened governance expectations, the CFO role has expanded significantly. Finance leaders are now expected to act as strategic partners to the CEO, enterprise catalysts, custodians of governance, and architects of sustainable profitability. Industry perspectives highlight the need for future CFOs to close capability gaps in communication, influence, operational exposure, leadership, and strategic thinking, especially as digital transformation redefines the finance function.
Faculty and Industry Insights
Speaking at the announcement, Professor Ajay Garg, Finance & Accounting at IIM Lucknow, said, "The CFO's role has evolved into one of enterprise stewardship, strategic counsel, and transformation leadership. Through this programme, IIM Lucknow aims to equip senior finance professionals with the analytical depth, governance perspective, and boardroom confidence required to lead value creation, manage uncertainty, and contribute meaningfully to long-term organisational growth."
Sridhar Nagarajachar, Business Head - Executive Education at TimesPro, added, "Finance leaders today must combine technical rigour with strategic influence, digital fluency, and enterprise-wide decision-making. Our collaboration with IIM Lucknow will enable experienced professionals to build CFO-ready capabilities, engage with contemporary finance practices, and prepare for leadership responsibilities that extend well beyond conventional financial management."
Curriculum and Learning Modules
IIM Lucknow's CFO Programme offers future-ready learning across 12 modules, including Financial Reporting and Compliance, Performance Management, Strategic Financial Planning, Treasury and Risk Management, Capital Markets and Investor Relations, Digital Finance and Automation, M&As, Strategic Finance, and Tax Strategy and Planning. The curriculum provides comprehensive exposure to board communication, corporate governance, investor relations, integrated reporting, and enterprise performance management. It also integrates areas such as AI-led forecasting, ESG considerations, and digital finance transformation.
Delivery and Capstone Project
The programme will be delivered by IIM Lucknow's faculty through TimesPro's Direct-to-Device platform, using live interactive lectures, case studies, quizzes, projects, simulations, and assignments. Participants will complete a capstone project requiring them to present a financial transformation plan, applying learnings to real-world business contexts. The programme includes a two-day campus immersion towards the end. Upon successful completion, participants receive select IIM Lucknow Executive Alumni benefits.
Eligibility and Application
Applicants must hold a graduation, diploma, or post-graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks and more than 10 years of full-time work experience.
About IIM Lucknow and TimesPro
IIM Lucknow, ranked 7th in NIRF 2024, is among India's premier business schools with AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accreditations. It has a 200-acre main campus in Lucknow and a presence in Noida. TimesPro, established in 2013, is a leading Higher EdTech platform under The Times Group, offering executive education programmes in collaboration with premier institutions like IIMs and IITs.
