Firms are operating within an environment of unprecedented change brought about by sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues. This presents both risks and opportunities that can radically impact the value of the firm, making sustainability and ESG issues of critical importance to finance strategy professionals.
Amir Amel-Zadeh, Associate Professor and Academic Director, will guide you through the learning material which focuses on the drivers and fundamentals of sustainability including key ESG concepts such as climate change and net zero, and equality and inclusion:
You’ll learn alongside a global cohort of like-minded finance professionals and hear from guest speakers who are experts in this field. Drawing on the expertise of Oxford faculty and industry leaders, you’ll be provided with frameworks, guidelines, and highly relevant and engaging content built specifically for executives and leaders in the finance and accounting function across industries.
As well as the knowledge and know-how gathered on the course, upon completion, you will leave this programme with your Sustainability Transformation Plan: a practical 'blueprint' designed by you, specifically for your organisation, so that you can immediately implement what you have learned which will position your firm for long-term growth and profitability.
There are no admissions requirements. However, professionals listed below will find it particularly relevant and make up a typical cohort:
I thoroughly enjoyed stepping beyond my comfort zone into a challenging and rewarding course focused on ESG and financial strategy, to grapple with the challenges and truths of ESG and sustainable finance from a renewables perspective.
The ESG and Sustainable Financial Strategy course is taught online through our virtual learning platform. This allows you to study from anywhere in the world, at any time, making the programme a truly flexible, online learning experience that adapts to the demands of your personal and professional obligations.
Our online methodology features multimedia learning material, webinars (which are recorded), and optional group sessions to further enrich your learning. Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online.
Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) - together as the International Association of Certified Professional Accountants - are partnering to provide rigorous and up-to-date courses covering academic, professional and regulatory expertise on crucial ESG and sustainability topics for risk and accountancy roles that report to, or work with, the CFO.
Read more about how the programme is delivered, answers to common questions and the programme’s terms and conditions.
If you have any questions, please contact us at OnlineExecEd@sbs.ox.ac.uk
The course begins with an orientation module to present you with basic concepts in ESG and Sustainability, and to familiarise you with the online learning platform. This is followed by 6 modules that progressively build your understanding and expertise, each contributing a piece to your Sustainability Transformation Plan - meaning you will finish the course with knowledge and understanding, and a custom blueprint to deliver impact within your organisation.
The orientation module aims to prepare you for the rest of the course and will:
This will stand you in good stead as you embark on the rest of the course.
Module 1 of the course unpacks the issues that society and organisations are facing, confronted with the realities of climate change, ESG and sustainability. It covers the drivers and fundamentals of sustainability, with a focus on sustainable finance best practices in business and how they relate to finance professionals, CFOs and CEOs.
Key learning outcomes include:
Module 2 focuses on strategic financial planning and long-term value creation. It will help you to understand how to incorporate sustainability practices into your business’ strategy.
The learning outcomes target:
Module 3 explores risk management and finance in the context of sustainability. It will help you evaluate the risks and opportunities which sustainable practices present.
Key learning outcomes are:
Module 4 breaks down key reporting and regulatory frameworks.
Learning outcomes include:
Module 5 focuses on governance and stakeholder engagement, aiming to develop your skills in effective corporate governance practice and sustainability reputation management.
The learning outcomes include:
Module 6 focuses on transformational change. It will guide you in leading the strategic change needed to incorporate sustainability into your organisation and its activities.
The learning outcomes include:
This course helped me gain a broad all-encompassing overview of the ESG and Sustainable Finance landscape with detailed insight of various regulatory requirements and challenges that one would need to navigate and lead the change.
The ESG and Sustainable Financial Strategy course aims to provide you with a practical toolset and impactful learning, such that you can begin to transform your organisation to meet the climate challenge immediately. A significant part of that toolset is the Sustainable Transformation Plan.
Each module’s learnings will be applicable to the building of one facet of your plan; each week you will submit a piece of the plan and feedback will be given by your tutor. Over the course of the ESG and Sustainable Financial Strategy programme, one module at a time, piece by piece, you will build your plan.
By Module 6 you will have a complete portfolio of pieces which, once refined and submitted, will constitute your finished Sustainability Transformation Plan. The plan will be a major part of the course’s evaluation and will be an impactful blueprint, specific to your organisation, its setting and circumstances. You can use your plan to begin implementing Sustainability and ESG best practice immediately.
On successful completion you will be awarded an official digital certificate of attendance in your legal name from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. You will need to meet the requirements outlined in the course orientation module.
This programme is certified by AICPA who are the sponsor of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy for individuals who are members of, or are associated with, USA-based professional bodies.
You will earn 26.5 CPE credits upon successful completion of the programme in the following fields of study:
In a rapidly changing business landscape, understanding the impact of sustainability and ESG issues is crucial for finance strategy professionals. Grateful to have been part of the first cohort, uniting 75+ professionals from diverse regions including the UK, EU, Middle East, India, Australia, and Asia.
Participants who complete an Oxford Saïd Executive Education online programme are automatically part of the Oxford Saïd Business School elumni community.
Our thriving community comprises more than 37,000 ambitious professionals hailing from 177 countries and representing diverse sectors like finance, law, marketing, healthcare, and energy. A significant number of these individuals proceed to undertake additional online or on-campus programmes, including short courses, executive diplomas, or MBAs.
The Oxford Saїd Elumni Network is a virtual hub specially crafted for elumni. Acknowledging that the journey of professional growth doesn't cease with programme completion; the platform is devised to motivate, encourage, and provide support to elumni as they pursue their career ambitions. It offers elumni an avenue to engage with Saïd Business School faculty, gaining access to expert opinions, research insights, and thought leadership. Furthermore, the network facilitates purposeful global networking, enabling collaborative endeavours for sharing ideas, expertise, and tackling challenges collectively.
You will also gain access to the official Oxford Executive Education Elumni group on LinkedIn.
