Director of Finance

Own strategic plan delivery against targets, cut board deck prep cycle time, and set formal AI governance policy for the finance function: moving from "AI user" to "AI policy owner.

Salary Range

$120k-$160k

Lessons

Work Packages

Format

Self-paced

What you will learn

Own the long-range strategic plan tied to the company's forecast and present it to the board.

Run capital allocation/M&A scenario analyses that pull in fixed-asset/depreciation projections.

Resolve framework-choice questions (e.g., ASPE vs. IFRS election, GAAP conversion) with a cited, defensible position memo.

Draft and maintain a formal AI usage policy and review controls for the finance function.

Use Claude.ai Projects to synthesize diligence documents for M&A and capital decisions.

Speak to AI-governance-ownership and strategic-planning experience in interviews and performance reviews, using portfolio evidence mapped to language employers are already using in job postings.

Lessons in this path

Lesson 1 is free to preview. Remaining lessons unlock after enrollment.

Free PreviewLesson 1

Claude Fundamentals for Directors of Finance

Understand what Claude can and can't do across Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Projects, and how to use it safely with Director of Finance's data.

Start free preview

Lesson 2

Claude for Excel Skills for Directors of Finance

Build hands-on fluency with Claude for Excel's core capabilities: the specific skills every later lesson in this course assumes the learner already has.

Lesson 3

Budgeting & Forecasting

Own the long-range strategic plan and capital allocation tied to the forecast. *(Work Package 4: skill: `budgeting-forecasting`.)*

Lesson 4

Financial & Board Reporting

Present strategic results to the board. *(Work Package 5: skill: `financial-board-reporting`.)*

Lesson 5

Scenario & Capital Modeling

Use scenarios for capital allocation and M&A decisions. *(Work Package 6: skill: `scenario-capital-modeling`.)*

Lesson 6

Fixed Asset & Depreciation Management

Use fixed asset/depreciation projections in capital allocation and M&A decisions. *(Work Package 15: skill: `fixed-asset-depreciation`.)*

Lesson 7

Technical Accounting Research

Own framework choice and conversion decisions; set accounting policy. *(Work Package 13: skill: `technical-accounting-research`.)*

Lesson 8

Reviewing AI-Assisted Work

Set formal AI governance policy for the finance function. *(Work Package 8: skill: `ai-governance-review`.)*

Industry Context

Director of Finance postings concentrate in general corporate (mid-to-large), nonprofit (Director of Finance & Administration), and professional services settings. Typical requirements: a Bachelor's degree required with an MBA or CPA/CFA/CA strongly preferred, 10+ years' progressive finance leadership experience, and ERP proficiency (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics). Standard 2026 salary range is $150,000–$190,000, with a midpoint of roughly $170,250 per the Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide.