Strategic financial and business decisions grounded in financial data
We know from experience that traditional courses in finance often provide a superficial learning experience. The formal definitions of concepts are memorized and can be used to read other people’s reports, but they do not encourage independent financial reporting based on a holistic understanding of how everything is connected. That’s why this is not a traditional course – far from it.
Much has happened and many decisions have been made in your organization before the last line in your income statement tells you how the business performed. So if you want to build knowledge and sharpen your ability to understand and actively apply key financial interrelationships, get the most and best out of your assets, and calculate, plan and control returns in the business, then Strategic Financial Management is for you.
Through EFL’s impact instruction, in this course you will develop your ability to master financial relationships and make strategic decisions for financial value creation and, by extension, shift the competitiveness of your business into high gear. The course’s goal is to develop your skills beyond simply analyzing historical data. You can apply your own real-world challenges, theories, models and tools so you can analyze financial data on your own and leverage the analysis offensively and creatively in strategic financial and business decisions.
“With the business simulation, participants have the opportunity to see the consequences of their decisions and the importance of strategic planning in a simplified manner throughout the entire game. With these experiences, all leaders, regardless of their role in the business, can acquire new insights that can be directly applied in the operations.”
– Kent Bengtsson, CFO at Sandberg Development
Would you like to know more about Strategic Financial Management? Please fill i the form and we will reach out to you.
Contents
The program consists of three modules lasting three days each:
MODULE 1: Value creation
How can value creation be described, measured and developed? What do your company’s financial portfolio, opportunities and potential look like? Using simulations, we discuss key decisions that tie in with your business model and how you can take a position on them. We look at the dynamics among various factors and how they interact – and why a solid understanding of their interactions provides a strong competitive advantage. What information is needed, how can it be analyzed and to whom do we direct it? What values can be created through mergers and acquisitions, and how can they be described and analyzed?
MODULE 2: Operational and financial management
We identify individual financial value creators and their interrelationships. We work on questions about the importance of growth linked to margins and cash flows, as well as company financing and how you and your business can successfully pursue value-enhancing activities. Next, we think about how we can best organize ourselves – in financial terms – to motivate and reward employees in the organization. Finally, we focus on the optimal way to conduct follow-up and measurements so that we ensure goal and strategy fulfilment in the company’s governance.
MODULE 3: Financial interrelationships
In this module, we explore investment appraisals and product costings and translate detailed financial data into business decisions. We also delve into the question of how to shift from plans to reality by pursuing business management as a coherent system of factors that affect how well you and your business manage to achieve your goals.
The three modules are linked together through bridging tasks that enable you to apply lessons learned from each session, immediately and in your real-world business scenario. During the last residential session, you’ll get the chance to put the module content, along with observations from your own organization, into a cohesive whole.
Structure
The program comprises a total of 9 full days divided across 3 modules each with 3 consecutive full days in residential session format.
In addition to lectures, workshops and practice case discussions, our impact instruction will focus on important areas and the real challenges you and your business face. Together, we will figure out how theory and practice can help you move your challenges closer to a solution.
Strategic Financial Management is an elective module of Leading IMPACT – Executive Management and Leadership Program
Outcomes
Lead and understand the mechanisms that generate financial value
During the Strategic Financial Management program, you will develop your ability to master and take a position on theories, tools and models that help generate financial value. You will gain an overall picture of how different factors interact and together ultimately determine the financial success of your business.
Theories, tools and models for financial value creation
After completing the program, you will have a toolbox that you can apply at your company or other organizations – regardless of industry or size. The knowledge you gain will help you prioritize and focus on crucial topics from a financial perspective. You will notice that there are in fact several key factors that play a decisive role in financial value creation at your company. Once you have mastered these, you can always immerse yourself in specific areas – but first, a firm grasp of the bigger picture needs to be in place.
Program Directors
Per Arvidson
Instructor and researcher in business management and accounting at the School of Economics and Management at Lund University, and leadership development consultant. Per is an active member of the Leading IMPACT team.
Ola Mattisson
Instructor and researcher in strategy and operations management at the School of Economics and Management at Lund University. Ola works on the program team for Leading IMPACT and EFL’s Board program.
The EFL team
The EFL team comprises leading educators, researchers, subject-matter experts and instructional designers. Our connections with the Lund University School of Economics and Management and the business community allow us to create the best conditions for your development. At Leading Change – Successful Change Leadership, we’ll have a hand-picked team to ensure you get all the latest insights from both research and best practices. Read more about the EFL team
Target Group
Strategic Financial Management is aimed at decision-makers at a company. Your role requires an ability to combine a high-level strategic understanding of the organization’s value creation with an understanding of practical consequences in individual contexts. For example, you might serve on your organization’s management team, board of directors or another executive position, or be a project manager or line manager in either a private-sector company or a public municipality or authority.
Would you like to know more? Fill in the form and we will reach out to you.
EFL’s IMPACT teaching method
Under EFL’s IMPACT teaching method, you primarily learn based on your own real-life strategic challenges and develop tools tailored to you and your organization’s specific needs. The program will give you an experience-based skills boost and familiarize you with new methods for developing business models supported by new technology.
We combine theory, current research and exercises with hands-on tips and advice to jointly create a powerful combo of tools and abilities for identifying, assessing and delivering tangible business development projects that strengthen and develop your business.
Lead and understand the mechanisms that create financial value
During Strategic Financial Management, you will develop your ability to master and relate to theories, tools and models that contribute to creating financial values. You get an overall picture of how different factors interact and together ultimately determine how financially successful your company is.
Theories, tools and models for economic value creation
After completing the program, you will have a toolbox that you will be able to apply to your own or other companies and organizations – regardless of industry or size. The knowledge you get helps you prioritize and focus on what is important from a financial perspective. You will notice that it is actually a factor that is a decisive way to influence the financial value creation in your company. Once you master these, you can always delve further into individual areas – but first the whole should be understood and in place!
Do you want to know more about Strategic Financial Management? Fill out the form below and we will contact you.
Dates
The program is held once a year, starting and ending during the fall. The program comprises a total of 9 full days divided across 3 modules each with 3 consecutive full days in residential session format once a month.
Start: October 8, 2025
Module 1: 8-10 October
Module 2: 5-7 November
Module 3: 10-12 December
Location
Venue in Skåne
Program fee
SEK 57,500
Members of EFL Business Network have 10% discount on the program fee.
Prices are listed exclusive of VAT. Residential session costs (meals and accomodations) are not included. The costs of the residential sessions are estimated to be SEK 6,000–6,500 per session and will be invoiced separately after they are incurred.
Language
The program is normally offered in Swedish. If English-speaking participants are enrolled in the program, both English and Swedish can be used during the program.
Applications
Apply for Strategic Financial Management – please contact us on info@efl.se
Terms and conditions
Read our general terms and conditions
Tailormade
EFL can also hold this program in a form tailored to your business. Select all or part of the program, and add additional parts if you want to work on more topics. We’ll fully tailor the experience to your needs.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation dialogue on how we can design a tailored program for you by calling +46 (0)46 – 222 68 50 or emailing info@efl.se