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What it Takes to Become a CFO?

STRATEGIC CFO PROGRAM 2026

Better than an Executive MBA

ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

Join the Waiting List for Early Bird Discount

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 still
feels out of reach.

Relax.

It’s not about how hard you work.
It’s about how strategically you think.
And how powerfully you lead

Here is The Harsh Truth..

Technical skills alone won’t get you to the top.
You’ve mastered reporting, compliance, budgets, and
forecasts.  But what got you here... won’t take you there.

If you’re not seen as a strategic leader; a business partner
who drives results, you’ll be over-looked again and again

Let’s be honest. You’ve probably felt some (or all) of this:

You feel stuck in your current role

You're doing “important” work, but you're not invited to
important meetings. You’re respected but you are not
assigned higher responsibilities.

Finding an Opportunity Seems Impossible

When you look for external opportunities, you’re told
you're overqualified. But when CFO opportunities
show up
  you're not even shortlisted.

You Find it Difficult to Express Yourself

You have lots of good ideas to share but during meeting you
don’t know how to start. You think you have the necessary
talent but in front of other you loose confidence.

You Are Not the Problem.

But You Need a Different Game Plan.

The rules have changed.
CFOs today are storytellers, strategists, and business partners;
not just custodians of financial books.

If you’re still operating like a financial accountant with a fancy title,
you’ll be passed over again and again.

But here’s the good news:
This transformation is easy if you do it right. And that’s
exactly what the Strategic CFO Program is built for.

Now, Imagine This...?

YOU ARE THE ONE, YOUR BUSINESS PARTNERS TURN TO FOR INSIGHT

You sit in most business meeting guiding with your insight what is behind the numbers.
You feel in command with a clear understanding of how financial numbers link to strategy.

YOU ARE SEEN AS A THOUGHT LEADER

You connect financial performance to market moves, customer behavior, and long-term value. You become the “growth partner” every CEO wants.

YOU LEAD WITH PRESENCE, CLARITY AND AUTHORITY

You inspire your team.
You influence the board.
And when the next CFO position
opens up, you’re the obvious choice.

Introducing

The Strategic CFO Program
by MECA CFO Academy

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

Starts on
July 5, 2025

Program Duration
12 Months

Program Fee $2,939

Payment Plan Available

Team Discounts Available

NEW UPDATED 

DIGITAL-HEAVY CURRICULUM

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.

OUR ADJUNCT FACULTY

 Muhammad Anis Younus

 

With over 20 years of experience in Finance and Assurance, I am currently the CFO and Board Secretary at Al Fadhili Housing Co., a joint venture of Saudi ARAMCO and MASIC. I hold esteemed qualifications, including ACCA, ICAEW, and CIA, which underpin my extensive expertise in overseeing the overall finance function, including treasury management, strategic reporting, project management, auditing, zakat and tax matters, and managing the Murabaha facility from the bank.

 
Syed Khalid Noor

 

A Strategic Finance Leader with roles Finance, HR Strategy, Organization Development, Culture Transformation and Corporate Management in Global Pharmaceuticals company Novartis and Local Pharmaceutical company Macter International Limited and Global MNC FMCG Unilever. 

 
Syed Nadeem

 

I'm Syed Nadeem, Strategic Finance Leader, over 20 years of global experience in different industries. I believe in value creation through business partnering and help organization in strategic decision making by providing valuable business insights. I am also a Founder of FBPToday.com, a dedicated platform for finance enthusiasts seeking valuable insights and expertise in the field.

 
Mohamed ELRouby

 

Global Finance & Strategy leader, and FP&A expert with more than 20 years of experience in top multinational organizations. Work experience in Novartis, J&J, Takeda, Pharmanovia, Allergan and Energizer. CIMA qualified and certified FP&A

Mustafa Kamal

 

Versatile finance leader with 20 years of diversified experience, including 13 years at K-Electric Limited, a billion-dollar company and Pakistan's largest integrated power utility, with a tenure as Director of Business Finance. Proven expertise in driving strategic transformation, operational excellence, and change management in the energy sector.

 
Dhawal Parvatikar

 

Chartered Accountant and IIM-A alumnus (Exec). Business focused finance leader with 15+ years of experience in managerial and business finance roles with leading corporations like Bharat Petroleum, Trafigura Group, Publicis Group & Omnicom Group, WPP Group Understanding of both manufacturing & services sectors with diverse exposure across industries like Oil & Gas, Advertising, Media, PR and Software.

 

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.

You’re Standing at a Crossroad:
Two Very Different Futures Ahead

Option 1

Stay Where You Are

Let’s think realistically for a moment.

If nothing changes, nothing changes. You’ll wake up six months from now in the same role
 With the same frustrations
 Stuck in meetings and daily fire-fighting that don’t matter, And, watching others, with less experience, take the roles you dream of.

Imagine this:

  • Another year of being overlooked for promotion
  • Still buried in day-to-day routine work, far from the strategic table
  • Watching your peers evolve into leadership roles
 while you're sidelined
  • Feeling like you’ve plateaued, even though you’ve barely scratched your potential

And the worst part?
You know you could be doing more, if only someone gave you the opportunity. But in today’s world, opportunities aren’t given. They’re earned by proactively leading, and showing up differently.

Option 2

Step up into Your Strategic CFO Role

This is your invitation to finally become the leader you were meant to be.

The Strategic CFO Program is your launchpad,
to escape the middle, rise to the top, and earn your voice in the room where you belong to.

By joining the program, you will:

  • Master the mindset of a true strategic leader
  • Speak the language of CEOs and boards with confidence
  • Lead your team with vision, clarity, and executive presence
  • Build a CFO-ready personal brand that positions you for the big roles
  • Get access to frameworks, tools, and coaching that accelerate your journey

You’ll rapidly move from an overlooked finance professional to an in-demand, strategic
executive helping business partners drive the strategy.

The Window Is Closing

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What Will You Choose?

You’ve waited long enough.
You’ve worked hard, paid your dues,
built your skills.

But effort without direction only
leads to frustration.

Now is the time to invest in you; your mindset, your
leadership, your future.

  • Imagine where you could be one year from today...
  • Imagine the doors that will open when you show   
    up as a Strategic CFO.

The choice is yours:

Will you keep waiting for things to change?

Or will you take control and become
the leader you deserve?

 
 
 
 

CONTACT US

[email protected] 
📞 Call us at: +1-888-711-4905

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