About GrowCFO
GrowCFO was founded in January 2020 by Dan Wells, an ex-KPMG Big Four equity partner who previously led audit at Deloitte. With over 20 years working with finance leaders, Wells created GrowCFO to address a critical gap: the lack of peer support and practical guidance for CFOs stepping into or evolving within their roles.
Unlike university partnerships through platforms like Emeritus or GetSmarter, GrowCFO is an independent platform built entirely around CFO development. This independence matters. The program isn’t tied to a single institution’s curriculum. Instead, it’s built on real CFO experience, peer accountability, and practical problem-solving for the modern CFO role.
Why GrowCFO Stands Out
Most finance leadership programs target either aspiring CFOs or technical finance skills. GrowCFO’s CFO Program targets people already in (or very close to) the CFO role who need to level up. This is a meaningful distinction. The content addresses board dynamics, strategic influence, executive presence, and stakeholder management. Not balance sheets.
The mentor quality matters significantly here. Catherine Clark (UK/Europe lead), Ashley Vukovits (North America), Oliver Deacon (former Microsoft Finance Director), Susana Serrano-Davey (Spain/LATAM) and others bring real CFO experience to sessions. These aren’t academics teaching theory. They’re sitting CFOs and recent CFOs who’ve navigated the exact challenges participants face daily.
The Global Community
Participants come from 50+ countries. Finance leaders from Adobe, Visa, FCA, Expedia, EDF, Medtronic, Citi, and Barclays join alongside founders and scale-up finance leaders. The mix matters. Your cohort becomes your advisory board. You’re learning from peers at your level, facing similar challenges in different industries and geographies.
Programme at a Glance
Expert-Led Workshops
Live group sessions every 3 weeks. 2-hour interactive discussions with experienced CFO mentors. Flexible recordings available if you need to miss a session due to unexpected business demands.
1:1 Professional Mentoring
Personalized guidance from CFOs with 10+ years board experience. Typically 60 or 90-minute monthly sessions tailored to your priorities and specific challenges.
Peer-Driven Learning
International cohort of finance leaders facing similar challenges. Safe space for open discussion about real problems. Network with 40-60 peers across industries and geographies.
The 9 Core Modules
The CFO Program covers the full breadth of modern CFO responsibilities across these areas:
Module 1: Embed Finance
Build financial culture and implement policies that transform finance from back-office to business function.
Module 2: Identify Value
Find profit and cash opportunities while building relationships that create value beyond cost reduction.
Module 3: Drive Change
Oversee operations outside finance and manage complex transformation initiatives.
Module 4: Data Strategy
Create strategic insights and build board papers that move from transactions to innovation.
Module 5: Challenge the Board
Develop strategic influence and navigate boardroom dynamics while protecting shareholder value.
Module 6: Drive Decisions
Build trusted relationships and provide decision-critical information to senior leadership.
Module 7: External Leadership
Develop gravitas and presence while managing fundraising and investor relations.
Module 8: Critical Voice
Support colleagues through challenges and build deep board relationships as an essential advisor.
Module 9: Create Value
Partner with CEO and communicate business plans as a true co-pilot to leadership.
Who It’s For (and Who Should Skip)
Ideal Fit
- First-time CFOs wanting to level up from day 1
- Experienced CFOs seeking strategic influence skills
- FDs preparing to step into CFO roles
- Finance leaders navigating complex stakeholder dynamics
- People hungry for peer learning and real accountability
- Those with 3+ years senior finance experience
- Global leaders valuing international peer perspective
Things to Consider
- Entry-level finance professionals might find it advanced
- Those needing deep technical accounting training
- Very independent people uncomfortable with group dynamics
- Those with inconsistent schedule (monthly commitment needed)
- People uncomfortable with personal development reflection
- CFOs in highly specialized or solo roles
Investment Analysis: Is It Worth $12,950?
The $12,950 (or £9,950) investment covers: 9 live monthly workshops, unlimited 1:1 mentoring with experienced CFOs, monthly peer group mentoring, 22 NASBA-accredited CPE credits, access to a 45-skill Competency Framework, on-demand video library and financial simulators, lifetime community access, and ongoing resource library updates.
Price comparison: GrowCFO is more expensive than university-backed programs like Columbia’s Emeritus CFO Program ($5,950) but includes unlimited mentoring. A single year of private executive coaching at $300 per hour would cost $36,000+ for similar mentoring hours. For first-time CFOs, this represents solid ROI if you actually engage with the mentoring and community.
The real question is simple: Will you use the mentoring and engage with peers? If yes, the $12,950 is justified. If you’re treating this as a passive online course to consume at your convenience, the value disappears. This program only works if you actively participate in the cohort and meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss a live workshop?
Recordings are available so you don’t fall behind. However, the live experience (discussion with peers and mentors) is where much of the value lies. GrowCFO recommends attending live sessions, but understands that work emergencies happen.
How much time do I need to commit?
Plan for 2-3 hours per month beyond the program. This includes the 2-hour workshop (every 3 weeks) plus optional prep. No mandatory pre-work. This is genuinely flexible for full-time working CFOs with demanding schedules.
Who are the mentors?
Experienced CFOs and finance leaders. These are sitting or recently retired CFOs, not academics. Catherine Clark is a former CFO and executive coach. Oliver Deacon was a Finance Director at Microsoft. Ashley Vukovits is an active CFO. You’re learning from practitioners.
Is there a refund policy?
No refunds once you commit to a cohort. This is intentional: strong, committed cohorts support each other effectively. The no-refund policy ensures everyone has skin in the game. Understand this before enrolling.
What if I’m a brand-new CFO?
This program is excellent for first-time CFOs. The curriculum directly addresses onboarding challenges (board dynamics, executive presence, stakeholder management). You’ll meet cohort members navigating the same journey. Many alumni cite this as the program’s biggest value: genuine confidence in the first 100 days as CFO.
Does it count toward professional development?
Yes. The program is NASBA-accredited and delivers 22 CPE credits. These count toward continuing education requirements for CFAs, CPAs, and other finance certifications.
Final Verdict
Bottom line: Yes, GrowCFO is worth the investment if you’re a first-time CFO or an experienced CFO seeking strategic development and peer accountability. The mentoring and community justify the cost. Skip it if you’re looking for technical finance training or a quick certification.
GrowCFO delivers something rare in executive education: real CFO experience embedded into peer learning. The program shines because it addresses what CFOs actually struggle with: board dynamics, executive presence, stakeholder influence, and resilience under pressure. Not balance sheets.
Enroll if: You’re stepping into a CFO role. You’re seeking peer connection and strategic development. You’re willing to commit to active participation. You value real CFO mentoring over academic theory.
Skip if: You need technical accounting training. You’re early in your finance career. You thrive independently without group support. You’re unwilling to commit to the cohort-based model.
The real test: Will you actually show up for workshops, engage with your cohort, and have real conversations with your mentor? If yes, enroll. If you’re passively consuming an online course, the ROI disappears. This program only works if you actively participate.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book a discovery call with GrowCFO to understand if the program fits your goals and timeline. They’ll answer your questions and help you decide if this is the right investment for your CFO journey.
Next cohorts fill quickly. Check the GrowCFO website for current enrollment dates and early-bird discounts if available.
Ben is a full-time data leadership professional and a part-time blogger.
When he’s not writing articles for Data Driven Daily, Ben is a Head of Data Strategy at a large financial institution.
He has over 14 years’ experience in Banking and Financial Services, during which he has led large data engineering and business intelligence teams, managed cloud migration programs, and spearheaded regulatory change initiatives.