[Singapore, 15 November 2012] – The Singapore Management University’s (SMU) School of Accountancy announced the launch of a new Master of Science in CFO Leadership (MCFO) programme today at the inaugural CFO Connect Symposium organised by the Singapore CFO Institute (SCFOI).
The first edition of CFO Connect Symposium, attended by more than 300 delegates, is SCFOI’s signature event for networking and thought leadership for CFOs and all stakeholders including CEOs, directors, regulators, investors and other capital market participants. It hopes to give delegates insights into the value a CFO can bring outside the ‘conventional’ CFO functions, as well as how a CFO can add value to the organisation. Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport, officiated at the event and delivered a keynote address as the Guest-of-Honour.
The MCFO programme at SMU’s School of Accountancy is the first postgraduate degree programme in Singapore specially designed to equip both current and aspiring CFOs and finance leaders with the broad competencies to advance their careers in an increasingly complex and challenging environment today. A modern-day CFO not only has to demonstrate competence in financial and management reporting, but also has to be shrewd in making financial decisions and adept at governance and risk matters, influential in shaping business outcomes, as well as effective in leading the finance function to support the strategic mission of his or her organisation.
Anchored on three key pillars of the CFO function in today’s modern organisations – Controllership, Corporate Finance and Strategic Business Partnership - the MCFO curriculum is designed to be completed in one year over six academic sessions. Each session will typically comprise eight days of full-time classes. The six-session format allows executives to pursue the MCFO programme with minimal disruptions to their busy work lives. Participants will be required to take two to three modules and one industry seminar per session. Veteran CFOs and business leaders will be invited to speak at the industry seminars and share their experiences and expertise with the programme participants.
Said Professor Pang Yang Hoong, Dean of SMU’s School of Accountancy, “The distinctive feature of this programme is its unique focus on the CFO function in today’s modern organisations. Designed with insights from veteran CFOs and leading industry professionals, the rigorous and broad-based curriculum emphasises a combination of hard and soft skills delivered in a cross-disciplinary setting.”
The MCFO programme runs from August to June of the following year. The inaugural intake will begin classes in August 2013 at SMU. Applications are now open and interested applicants should meet the following criteria:
- A good university degree in any discipline;
- At least five years of full-time, relevant work experience;
- Either currently holding office of CFO, head of finance or other equivalent role; or demonstrating potential and aspiration to assume office of CFO or position of financial leadership in the future; and
- GMAT or GRE test score.
More information about the MCFO programme can be found in the following link: www.smu.edu.sg/mcfo