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Start / Strategic Financial Leadership
Open Executive Program Finance and Control Management

Strategic Financial Leadership

Position the finance function as a driver of transformation and value creation.

about the course alumni teachers program scholarships applications contacts
Apply
Next Edition
06 of october, 2027
duration
60 horas
language
Portuguese
investment
2900€
Mode of study
On campus/Online
Download Brochure

The finance function is moving from control area to engine of decision-making, transformation and value creation.

The finance function is undergoing structural transformation. Digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence and regulatory pressure are redefining the role of finance teams within organizations.

The challenge is now also to anticipate scenarios, interpret data, manage risk, support strategic decisions and turn technology investment into measurable business value.

80%+

of CFOs consider digital transformation and process automation strategic priorities

Reference: Deloitte CFO Signals, 2024; PwC; McKinsey

CSRD

reflects the growing demand for structured and integrated ESG reporting

Reference: CSRD

AI + ML

are moving from emerging technologies to operational expectations in finance

Reference: Deloitte CFO Signals, 2024; PwC; McKinsey

What Is This Program About?

  • Modernizing the finance function

    Integrate analytics, AI, RPA and automation into financial processes, forecasting and risk analysis.

  • Responding to new reporting demands

    Update knowledge in IFRS, CSRD and ESG reporting, connecting reporting requirements with financial and accounting decisions.

  • Optimizing treasury and liquidity

    Strengthen working capital management, treasury automation and cash flow planning.

  • Managing financial risk with greater judgement

    Identify, measure and mitigate financial, operational and cyber risks through more integrated models.

  • Leading with financial data

    Use advanced KPIs, financial storytelling and financial analysis to influence C-Level decisions.

Skills to Develop

Analytics & AI Applied to Finance ESG & CSRD Reporting Treasury and Liquidity Management Strategic Tax Planning Financial Risk Management Financial Data Storytelling

Expected Outcomes

  • For you

    Greater capacity to apply AI and analytics to financial decision-making, with impact on forecasting, risk analysis and scenario reading.

    Updated perspective on emerging trends such as ESG, Open Banking, Blockchain, automation and tax digitalization.

    More confidence in treasury, liquidity and risk management, with tools to support financial decisions in more demanding contexts.

    Greater influence with senior management through KPIs, financial storytelling and decision-oriented communication.

  • For your organization

    A more modern finance function with solutions applied to the company’s reality and critical processes.

    Reduced risks and costs through greater automation, financial control, tax efficiency and compliance.

    Stronger strategic decisions with finance teams that are better prepared, more analytical and more aligned with management.

    Greater ability to turn technology investment into value through applied financial modernization projects.

Who Is This Program For?

Professionals with responsibilities in finance, management or consulting who want to strengthen their decision-making, modernization and leadership capabilities within the finance function.

Career level · Middle management and Top management

  • CFOs and Finance Directors

    Responsible for repositioning the finance function as a business partner and integrating AI, automation and ESG reporting into the team’s daily work.

  • Controllers and Management Control Leaders

    Professionals looking to update their skills in analytics, AI, automation and ESG reporting to support the evolution of the finance function.

  • Treasury and Financial Control Leaders

    Profiles seeking to deepen liquidity management, working capital, cash forecasting, risk and operational financing capabilities.

  • General Managers of SMEs

    Leaders who need stronger command of strategic financial management, ESG and taxation to make more informed business decisions.

  • Financial Consultants

    Specialists in digitalization, innovation, audit or financial transformation who want to strengthen their technical and strategic repertoire.

4 Reasons to Choose This Program

  • Technology applied to finance

    Coverage of AI, Machine Learning, RPA, Power BI/Tableau, Open Banking and Blockchain applied to financial forecasting, automation and risk management.

  • Multidisciplinary faculty

    Program direction and faculty specializing in AI, accounting, ESG, taxation, risk and financial leadership.

  • Company-applied capstone

    Each participant develops a modernization or optimization project for a financial process in their own organization.

  • Transformation and compliance in one journey

    An integrated approach to emerging topics such as AI, automation and ESG, together with regulatory demands including IFRS, CSRD and taxation.

Apply now

Program Structure

60 hours in an in-person format, with the possibility of synchronous online attendance, combining technical topics, digital transformation, financial leadership and an applied project.

3h
To be announced

New Trends in Finance
Exploration of innovations and regulatory changes impacting CFOs, including sustainable finance, ESG, Blockchain, Open Banking, treasury automation and cybersecurity.

12h
Daniel Pereira

Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Finance
Application of Machine Learning to financial forecasting and risk analysis, financial process automation and Business Intelligence with Power BI and Tableau.

9h
Rui Couto Viana

Strategic Accounting and ESG Reporting
Update on IFRS, new ESG reporting requirements under CSRD and automation in accounting and management control.

9h
To be announced

Advanced Liquidity and Treasury Strategies
Working capital optimization, treasury automation, cash management, AI-based cash forecasting and cash flow planning.

6h
Teresa Bianchi de Aguiar

Data-Based Financial Leadership
Modern financial KPIs, financial data storytelling and influence at C-Level through financial analysis.

9h
Abílio Sousa

Strategic Tax Management and Compliance
Strategic tax planning, tax automation and digitalization, tax risk management and relationship with tax authorities.

9h
Ricardo Valente

Strategic Financial Risk Management
Identification and measurement of financial risk, automation in risk analysis and mitigation, hedging instruments, operational risk and cybersecurity.

3h

Capstone Project
Development of an applied project to modernize or optimize a financial process in the participant’s company.

Experience immersive learning

The program combines technical content, real cases, hands-on work with tools and a company-applied project, bringing learning closer to the concrete challenges of the finance function.

01 · Capstone Project

Company-applied project

Each participant identifies an inefficient financial process in their organization and designs a transformation solution based on the program content.

02 · Hands-on

BI, AI and automation in finance

Practical sessions with Power BI/Tableau, Machine Learning applied to financial forecasting and RPA in financial management scenarios.

03 · Real cases

Financial transformation in business contexts

Discussion of cases from companies that modernized the finance function in areas such as ESG, automation, reporting and risk management.

04 · Trends

Finance, technology and regulation

Opening session dedicated to emerging trends such as Blockchain, Open Banking, Cybersecurity and ESG, connected to the current role of the CFO.

Program Director

LinkedIn profile

Head of Applied Research at Porto Business School and PhD in Economics, specializing in financial crises. Co-founder of Watson & Noble, a company focused on macroeconomic forecasting. With solid experience in teaching and applied research, he regularly contributes to the media as an economic commentator.

Filipe Grilo

LinkedIn profile

Faculty

Learn from leading specialists with strong academic research and real business experience.

Abílio Sousa

Filipe Grilo

Ricardo Valente

Rui Viana

Customize this program for your team

Contact our Corporate Solutions team

Learn more

Applications

Admission is subject to availability, so we recommend that you submit your application as early as possible.

  • Application stages

    Early Bird | Up to 1 month before the program starts
    €2,755

    Application deadline | Up to 1 week before the program starts
    €2,900

  • Included in the fee

    • Class support materials
    • Lunches and coffee breaks on training days
    • Covered parking
    • Certificate of completion

  • Special conditions

    Porto Business School Alumni, University of Porto Alumni and associated companies benefit from special conditions.

    Contact the Admissions team for more information.

Apply now

Certificate of excellence

Become a reference in this field

Proof of excellence in Finance and Management Control by completing 90 hours of training in this area within 24 months.

  • Better-grounded decisions, with an integrated view of the function
  • A differentiated profile for leadership and transformation roles
  • Greater credibility with teams, suppliers and partners

Benefit from up to 25% discount on the total value.

Learn more

Contacts

Still have questions? Our team is here to help.

Rankings

38 th
FT European Business Schools
28 th
European Business School Ranking [Open]
33 th
European Business School Ranking [Custom]
56 th
European Business School Ranking [MBA]

Accreditations

With three international accreditations — AMBA (Association of MBAs), AACSB, and EFMD — Porto Business School ranks among the best business schools in Europe. In 2023, the school renewed its AMBA accreditation for five more years and received BGA (Business Graduates Association) accreditation, becoming the first Portuguese business school to achieve this recognition.

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