Financial Decision-Making
Financial Decision-Making is a module in the Global Leader Flex program and can also be taken as a stand-alone program.
In a world of economic uncertainty and market volatility, the ability to interpret financial data and make informed decisions is a fundamental leadership skill.
The Financial Decision-Making program demystifies the language of finance, transforming complex statements and market indicators into a clear strategic toolkit. Participants will develop the confidence to interpret market signals, assess organizational health, and contribute decisively to resource allocation and growth planning. The learning experience emphasizes immediate application, ensuring that financial concepts become actionable tools for driving value and managing risk in complex business environments.
4.5 ECTS credits can be transferred from the Financial Decision-Making program to the Aalto Executive MBA or Aalto MBA program.
Benefits
This program strengthens critical capability by equipping your talent with the analytical frameworks to assess performance, manage risk, and allocate capital with confidence—transforming financial data into a strategic asset for driving growth and competitive advantage.
For
The Financial Decision-Making program develops financial fluency and analytical capabilities across leadership teams and key talent. It is designed for professionals who need to interpret financial information and contribute to strategic resource allocation decisions. It is particularly valuable for those seeking to strengthen their financial toolkit and translate financial data into operational decisions.
This program is especially beneficial for:
- Senior managers and directors responsible for departmental P&L or strategic initiatives
- Project managers and consultants who need to build business cases and measure outcomes
- Entrepreneurs and business owners making critical investment and growth decisions
- Marketing, operations, and R&D leaders who manage significant budgets and need to demonstrate financial impact
Content and Schedule
Financial Decision-Making comprises a self-paced online course, a two-day live online module, a written pre-assignment, and a take-home assignment. The program is worth 4.5 ECTS credits.
Pre-module period of 2–3 weeks
Individual preparation through self-paced online learning and pre-readings and assignment(s)
Two-day live online module
Intensive contact learning session with instructor and peers
Post-module period
Take-home assignment: Action learning project
This program begins with the self-paced Fundamentals of Accounting online course to establish essential principles. The live module then delves into core financial topics, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow analysis. The curriculum advances to practical applications of profitability assessment, liquidity, and risk evaluation, along with strategic budgeting, forecasting, and cost management techniques. Participants will learn frameworks for investment evaluation and value creation that directly inform business performance.
The program employs a practical, application-oriented approach through real-world case studies examining financial decision-making in global business contexts. The core learning methodology centers on an action learning project in which participants apply financial analysis, strategic decision-making, and risk assessment to improve actual business performance. This hands-on approach ensures that participants not only master financial literacy, but also develop the capability to apply these insights for data-driven decisions that manage risk and drive organizational growth.
Instructor
David Derichs
David Derichs, PhD, is Senior University Lecturer in the Department of Accounting at Aalto University, where he also serves as Head of the BSc Program in Accounting. His research focuses on performance measurement and management, the digitalization of management control, and learning in organizations.
In addition to his academic role, Derichs has professional experience in commercial due diligence execution and corporate restructuring, combining research expertise with practical insights into organizational performance and investment evaluation.
Program Fee and Registration
Other Global Leader Flex Modules
You can register for individual stand-alone Global Leader Flex modules or take the complete Global Leader Flex program, including all four core modules and two elective modules of your choice.
