With F.A.S.T. CFO™ Framework Included

STRATEGIC CFO PROGRAM 2026

Batch-20 starting on Jan 10, 2026

What it Takes to Become a CFO?

You’ve Got the Experience. The Credentials. The Skills.

But something’s not clicking.

You see people less qualified leapfrog ahead.
You're stuck in the same role for years.
You're doing everything right — yet the C-suite stillfeels out of reach.

Introducing

WHAT'S NEW IN BATCH - 20

Your Ultimate Executive Development Program to Guarantee a CFO Seat in
Your Career Here is what you will get when you join the Strategic CFO Program

Capstone Project

Office Hours

New Adjunct Faculty

New Curriculum

NEW UPDATED

F.A.S.T. CFO BASED CURRICULUM

Curriculum 2026

Big Picture

Purpose: Turn accomplished finance leaders into Strategic CFOs who shape strategy, allocate capital wisely, and command the boardroom.

Format: 12 months · 48 live sessions (2 hrs/week) + labs, office hours, boardroom drills, and capstone.

Tracks: Strategy & Value Creation · Financial Stewardship & Performance · Digital & AI for Finance · Executive Presence & Boardroom Storytelling · Governance, Risk & Disclosure.

opinion: This curriculum is unapologetically practical—every topic lands in a tool, template, or decision.

Learning Arcs (What you’ll actually master)

Strategy & Value Creation
- Strategy maps, Blue Ocean moves, Five Forces, growth pathways, pricing & margin architecture.
Financial Stewardship & Performance
- FP&A excellence, driver-based planning, capital allocation, cash & working capital, performance dashboards.
Digital & AI for Finance
- Automation, analytics, predictive signals, prompt packs for FP&A/board updates, data governance.
Executive Presence & Boardroom Storytelling
- 90-sec CFO narrative, message discipline, “3-20-3” board deck rule, investor-grade Q&A.
Governance, Risk & Disclosure
- Materiality, control modernization, risk heatmaps, ESG data-to-narrative, audit committee readiness.

Year Roadmap (Quarter by Quarter)

Q1 — Foundation to Integration (Weeks 1–12)

Focus: Link strategy → KPIs → cash. Build your voice.
Topics

Strategy map & KPI stack (outer forces → Blue Ocean levers → BSC).
Driver-based forecasting; variance as story, not excuse.
Working capital as growth fuel; early warning indicators.
Executive presence fundamentals; Storytelling 101.
Signature labs
One-Pager Mastery: message → proof → action.
Value Driver Workshop: map value stream; set 5 KPIs that matter.
Artifacts
Strategy map v1, KPI cascade, one-pager executive brief.

Q2 — Capital & Growth (Weeks 13–24)

Focus: Put money where strategy is.
Topics

Capital allocation framework; hurdle rates & uncertainty bands.
Pricing & margin architecture; product/region portfolio.
Scenario planning; growth bets; M&A primer & integration basics.
AI for FP&A I: faster forecasting, variance explainer, prompt library.
Signature labs
Investment Committee Tournament: defend 3 initiatives under constraints.
Earnings Call Simulation: guidance, analyst Q&A, narrative control.
Artifacts
Capital memo (3 theses); scenario tree; earnings brief.

Q3 — Transformation & Operations (Weeks 25–36)

Focus: Make the engine efficient and digital.
Topics

Operating model & S&OP finance; cost-to-serve; service levels vs cost.
Automation quick wins; data governance; dashboard wireframes.
Governance & risk modernization; materiality to disclosure.
Signature labs
War-Game Sprints: price shock, supply disruption, competitor move.
Dashboard Build: exec tiles, driver trees, alert thresholds.
Artifacts
“As-is → To-be” finance playbook; risk heatmap; exec dashboard v1.

Q4 — Boardroom Mastery & Impact (Weeks 37–48)

Focus: Influence the enterprise. Ship results.
Topics

Investor relations & activist basics; guidance math; crisis communication.
CEO partnership rhythms; culture of performance; ethics & judgment.
AI for FP&A II: predictive signals, ops leverage, automated narratives.
Signature labs
Boardroom Storytelling Studio II: 12-slide deck with “3-20-3” rule.
Capstone Sprint & Summit: live boards, feedback, awards.
Artifacts
Board deck v3, 90-day Value Creation Office (VCO) plan, disclosure snapshot.

Harvard Case Studies

Several original Harvard Business case studies and simulations included in the curriculum of the CFO Program

Live Sessions on Weekend

All live online sessions are conducted each Saturday at 4:00 PM or 7:00 PM UAE time for about 2 hours

Peer Learning & Networking

The program is structured to provide maximum opportunities for peer learning and networking

Sessions Playback

All coaching sessions are recorded and playbacks usually available on the same day for re-watching

NASBA Approved CPE Credits

MECA CFO Academy is approved by NASBA to award 48 CPE credits for the entire 12-month program

96 Hours of Coaching & Learning

The program is loaded with a comprehensive curriculum that requires 96 hours of coaching and learning

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from MECA

MECA Alumni Benefits

Graduates of this program can join MECA CFO Alumni, an active group of senior finance leaders from around the world

Experiential Learning through

Case Studies and Business Simulations

A Unique Feature to Learn Business by Doing Business

MECA CFO Academy is proud to introduce several Harvard case studies and business simulations as part of the curriculum of the Strategic CFO Program. Through a special arrangement, Harvard Business has allowed MECA to use its teaching material in MECA Executive Education Programs.

Business simulations are increasingly getting popular among the top business school as an e-learning tool to provide experiential learning opportunities to their students.

Never experienced business simulation or case study method before? Watch below short explainer.

What is a Business Simulation?

What is a Case Study Method?

MEET OUR FACULTY

Saleem Sufi

Saleem Sufi has been a Global Strategic CFO for more than 20 years working for world-class Fortune 500 and top Private Equity owned companies in Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe and United States. As an experienced speaker, corporate trainer and executive coach, Saleem has conducted numerous executive level workshops and seminars at international locations including Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Milan, Riyadh, Dubai and New York.

Saleem is an MBA with major in Strategy and Finance and a Fellow member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants. He has attended Harvard Business School a number of times for Executive Education. He has coached and trained hundreds of senior corporate professionals around the globe. He is the founder of MECA CFO Academy and currently dedicated to helping Finance professionals grow in leadership roles.

Dr. Prashanth Southekal

Dr. Prashanth Southekal is the Managing Principal of DBP Institute (www.dbp-institute.com), a data and analytics consulting, research, and education firm. He is a Consultant, Author, and Professor. He has consulted for over 75 organizations including P&G, GE, Shell, Apple, and SAP. Dr. Southekal is the author of two books — “Data for Business Performance” and "Analytics Best Practices” — and writes regularly on data, analytics, and machine learning in Forbes.com, FP&A Trends, and CFO.University. ANALYTICS BEST PRACTICES is in the top 100 analytics books of all time and in May 2022 was ranked #1 by BookAuthority. Apart from his consulting pursuits, he has trained over 3,000 professionals worldwide in Data and Analytics. Dr. Southekal is also an Adjunct Professor of Data and Analytics at IE Business School (Madrid, Spain). CDO Magazine included him in the top 75 global academic data leaders of 2022. He holds a Ph.D. from ESC Lille (FR) and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management (U.S.). He lives in Calgary, Canada with his wife, two children, and a high-energy Goldendoodle dog. Outside work, he loves juggling and cricket.

Is the Strategic CFO Program for You?

The Strategic CFO Program is not just a course. It’s a transformation journey to rewire your thinking, mindset, and leadership style.

Designed and Built by Saleem Sufi, a worldclass CFO Coach, Mentor & Advisor.
A 600+ Alumni CFO Members Studied the Same Program. 18 Batches completed.
An Unconventional CFO Program that is considered better than the high-priced CFO Programs offered by the Top Business Schools.

This program will transform you from a capable finance manager to a high-impact, boardroom- ready Strategic CFO.

🚨 Strategic CFO Program — Batch 19 Almost Full

20% Price Increasing from Next Batch

MECA Strategic CFO Comparison

MECA Strategic CFO Program vs Other Institutions

Criteria	MECA Strategic CFO Program	Harvard Business School	Wharton Executive Education	INSEAD	London Business School
1. Curriculum Coverage	Comprehensive, regularly updated	Extensive, broad coverage	Intensive, focused modules	Diverse, global perspective	Extensive, contemporary content
2. Faculty Expertise	Experienced industry professionals	Renowned academics & experts	Leading professors & practitioners	Distinguished global faculty	Top-tier academics & industry leaders
3. Practical Simulations	Harvard's Mount Everest simulation	Custom case studies & simulations	Real-world scenarios & simulations	Case-based, interactive learning	Practical simulations & exercises
4. Leadership Development	Personalized coaching & mentoring	Strong emphasis on leadership	Leadership labs & assessments	Leadership development focus	Leadership workshops & coaching
5. Networking Opportunities	Peer networking, industry connections	Extensive alumni network	Broad alumni & industry network	Global network, diverse cohort	Strong alumni connections
6. Learning Flexibility	Online and in-person options	Primarily in-person	Flexible scheduling, online options	Blended learning approach	Flexible, various formats
7. Case Studies	Real-world, interactive discussions	Extensive use of case method	Real business case studies	Comprehensive case study approach	Practical, real-world cases
8. Focus on Innovation	Encourages innovative thinking	Innovation in finance	Emphasis on innovative solutions	Encourages creativity & innovation	Integrates latest industry trends
9. Global Perspective	International focus, diverse cohort	Global business perspective	International focus, diverse cohort	Global emphasis, international cohort	Global perspective, diverse participants
10. Capstone Project	Hands-on, real business problem	Project-based assignments	Capstone project in finance	Strategic projects, real impact	Real-world capstone projects
11. Program Fee	$3,000	$40,000	$30,000	$35,000	$37,000
12. Duration	12 months	9 months	6 months	10 months	8 months

PRICING OPTIONS

MONTHLY PLAN

$290/M

for 12 Months

Live, Cohort-based Program
96 Hours of Live Coaching Sessions
Leadership, Strategy, Digital and Data Analytics Modules included
Harvard Simulations
48 CPE Credits
Certificate of Completion

ENROLL NOW

ONE-TIME PRICE

$2939

Includes 15% Discount

Live, Cohort-based Program
96 Hours of Live Coaching Sessions
Leadership, Strategy, Digital and Data Analytics Modules included
Harvard Simulations
48 CPE Credits
Certificate of Completion