Enrollment
At the latest four weeks before the module starts.
Delivery mode
Onsite
Spring 2026
Frequency
Once a year
Location
Aalto University Töölö, Helsinki, Finland
Language
English
Scope
3 days
Financial Decision-Making
Financial Decision-Making is a three-day module in the Global Leader program and can also be taken as a stand-alone program.
Today’s business manager needs the know-how to navigate financial information when making decisions. Understanding finance is crucial to obtaining project funding, anticipating business trends, and evaluating company performance. You cannot make decisions unless you understand how the money flows.
The Financial Decision-Making program will provide you with an understanding of balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and other financial disclosures, and how this information relates to key variables in management decisions.
4.5 ECTS credits can be transferred from this program to the Aalto Executive MBA or Aalto MBA program.
Benefits
The Financial Decision-Making program is designed to enhance your performance through improved financial capabilities.
For
Financial Decision-Making is designed for experienced managers and business leaders who need to understand and interpret financial information in order to manage across functions in a global context.
It is also relevant for seasoned experts who aspire to build competencies and confidence in making strategic decisions.
Contents and Schedule
Financial Decision-Making is a three-day program and it contains 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
Three-day module
Intensive contact learning session with instructor and peers
Post-module period
Take-home assignment
Financial Decision-Making introduces participants to basic finance and accounting concepts but is far from a number-crunching course: The storytelling starts with an overview of the current geopolitical state of the world and how this influences financial decision-making on the macro, meso, and micro levels.
Later you will study actual financial statements, and then examine basic topics related to costs and financial management. The basic financing and investment decisions of a business within a value maximization framework are introduced with an emphasis on the practical application of financial concepts/models in decision-making, for example in your own work context.
Instructor
Petya Platikanova
Petya Platikanova is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting at Esade Business School.
Platikanova is interested in how creditors and financial analysts perceive corporate reporting and tax policy. Her research has been published in leading academic and professional journals, such as Review of Accounting Studies, Journal of Banking and Finance, European Accounting Review and Financial Analysts Journal, among others.
She serves on the Editorial Board of the Financial Analysts Journal, which focuses on investment management (CFA Institute Publication).
Program Fee and Registration
Program Fee
The fee for the Financial Decision-Making program is € 4,450 (+ VAT).
Registration
Register at the latest four weeks before the program starts.
Other Global Leader Modules
You can register for individual stand-alone Global Leader modules or take the complete Global Leader program, including all four core modules and two elective modules of your choice.
May 26–28, 2025
Schedule May 26–28, 2025
Location Aalto University Töölö, Helsinki, Finland
Frequency Once a year
You will get a comprehensive understanding of strategic marketing and how strategic marketing is crucial in driving growth by being or becoming customer-centric.
Fee: € 4,650 (+ VAT)
September 22–24, 2025
Schedule September 22–24, 2025
Location Aalto University Töölö, Helsinki, Finland
Frequency Once a year
The program focuses on the fundamental issues in strategy planning and will give you the skills needed to develop the long-term viability of your organization.
Fee: € 4,650 (+ VAT)
November 10–12, 2025
Schedule November 10–12, 2025
Location Aalto University Töölö, Helsinki, Finland
Frequency Once a year
The program focuses on developing awareness and skills in how to lead and coach yourself, your team, and your organization through change.
Fee: € 4,650 (+ VAT)
Spring 2026
Schedule Spring 2026
Location Aalto University Töölö, Helsinki, Finland
Frequency Once a year
The program provides the skills and frameworks needed for effective and influential leadership in a compact package.
Fee: € 4,650 (+ VAT)
October 20–22, 2025
Schedule October 20–22, 2025
Location Aalto University Töölö, Helsinki, Finland
Frequency Once a year
Influencing has become an essential skill for managers in an increasingly complex business environment. This program focuses on understanding how politics work in an organization and learning how to handle power and influence tactics to achieve professional goals.
Fee: € 4,650 (+ VAT)