CAS Finance & Accounting
A sound knowledge of finance and accounting is essential for successful executives. Everything you do in business has some effect on “the numbers”, and even if financial issues may not be the primary goal of your position, you should be able to understand the main financial statements of your company, draw the necessary conclusions, use financial arguments to get the resources for your next project, and lead your team accordingly.
The CAS Finance & Accounting gives you a solid understanding of financial topics and allows you to apply it in your own business environment right away. As part of a class with participants from various industries, you will also expand your professional network and benefit from peer learning.
Overview of the CAS
Program Start
Venue
Duration
Application Deadline
ECTS
Program Language
Program Fees
Program Details
Structure
The CAS Finance & Accounting consists of five Master Classes of 2.5 days each. Four Master Classes are mandatory, the fifth can be chosen from two electives.
Preparation starts 10 days before each class. The purpose of the preparations is to ensure that all participants have a certain level and understanding of the basic concepts of the class (e.g. bookkeeping). Moreover, preparation gives you time to pre-read materials (e.g. cases) that will be used for discussion in class.
Classes take place from Thursday morning to Saturday lunchtime. Their focus lies on interaction with faculty and peers as well as on application of the prepared concepts to real-life cases. They are set up for on-site participation but will be recorded for later reference and occasional online participation. Group work will not be recorded.
After class, participants have 14 days to complete an exam or applied transfer task (paper).
Benefits
After the CAS Finance & Accounting Proficiency, you will understand the various financial reports (balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement) published by companies and use these and other data to make better decisions and create value. You will also get to know valuation models that support sound investment and management decisions in the context of project and company acquisitions. In the elective modules, you can (a) add knowhow about the use of fundamental microeconomic tools and concepts for managerial decision-making, or grasp (b) a good understanding of the foundations of uncertainty modelling and business analytics.
You will benefit from renowned faculty from leading business schools and from exchanging ideas with experienced leaders in your class. The financial knowledge you gain can be applied immediately in your professional environment. If desired, you can build on the CAS Finance & Accounting Proficiency with additional CAS programs to earn a DAS in General Management or the International Executive MBA.
Modules, Dates & Professors
Mandatory Master Classes
Elective Master Classes
Please note that courses and dates can be subjects to change.
Applied Assignments
Each of the five courses will be assessed through applied assignments that incorporate your own work-related projects, delivering immediate added value for you and your company.
Upon successful completion of all assignments, you will be awarded the degree CAS Finance & Accounting Proficiency from the University of Bern.
Target Audience/Requirements
We appreciate diversity and welcome executives and project managers from all industries and roles into our programs.
To qualify for the CAS Finance & Accounting Proficiency, you should meet the following criteria:
- Over 5 years of experience in a responsible position and a university degree (or equivalent),
or
over 10 years of management experience and an alternative education (admission sur dossier) - Potential to take on further responsibilities
- Alignment with the values of Rochester-Bern: respect and fairness, trust and loyalty, curiosity and openness
- Fluency in English and strong time management skills
Program Fees
The CAS program consists of a total of 5 Master Classes, one of which you can choose from two available electives. The participation fee is CHF 14,800.
This includes tuition fees, all required preparatory materials, coffee breaks and water on regular course days, as well as registration and examination fees. The invoice will be issued at least 6 weeks before the start of the program.
Application
Online Application
Please download the application package and complete the three forms (application form, recommendation forms 1 and 2). Include the following documents:
- CV
- Copy of the diploma for your highest degree
- Letter of motivation
- Portrait photo (for the photo list)
- Copy of your passport or ID card (for registration with the University of Bern)
Kindly send your application to recruiting@rochester-bern.ch.
Admissions Interviews
We will contact you to schedule two interviews, one with an alumnus/a of the program and one with a member of the RoBe management. By then at the latest, you should let us know which Elective Master Class you would like to attend. A decision regarding your admission will be made within one week of the interview.
Confirmation and Preparation
Along with the written confirmation of admission – at the latest 6 weeks before the start of the program – you will receive the invoice for the program fee. Once payment has been received, we will send you the preparatory materials for the first Master Class.
Your Study Journey
Mandatory Master Classes
Financial Accounting
–
Filip Roodhooft
In the Financial Accounting Master Class, we discuss the different types of financial information that stock market companies prepare. Financial Accounting creates transparency in financial markets and helps capital providers make good decisions when allocating funds. After the course, you will understand the different financial statements (balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements) that a company publishes externally. You will also understand how estimates impact the financial information that companies publish externally.
Managerial Accounting
–
Filip Roodhooft
The Managerial Accounting Master Class uses case studies to show how managers can apply internal information within companies to make better decisions and create value. One of the key contributions of the finance function in companies is strategic decision-making and strategic performance measurement. After the course, you will understand how reports prepared by financial managers can help other managers make better decisions and how financial managers can measure the strategic process of a company.
Project Valuation
–
Claudio Loderer
The Project Valuation Master Class provides the conceptual framework necessary to help managers decide what investment decisions make best sense. We take a look at investment projects, such as replacing machines, launching new products, or building new factories. The perspectives presented in the course cover both theoretical and practical issues. While the course’s focus is on investments, the principles we develop apply to management decisions in general with a view to helping you make better choices.
Company Valuation
–
Claudio Loderer
The Company Valuation course provides the conceptual framework necessary to help managers decide what investment decisions make best sense when it comes to the exciting topic of computing the value of companies and negotiating agreements about the acquisition and sale of companies. The perspectives presented in the course cover both theoretical and practical issues.
Elective Master Classes
Please choose one of the two elective courses to complete your CAS Finance & Accounting.
Managerial Economics
–
David Myatt
The Managerial Economics Master Class applies the fundamental tools and concepts of microeconomics – economic behavior, marginal analysis, opportunity cost, supply and demand analysis, and alternative market structures – to managerial decision-making. The course also uses economic analysis and tools to provide insights into internal organizational policies, including decision-right assignment, performance evaluation, and compensation plans. The course aims to help you develop your economic intuition about a broad range of problems related to business and everyday life, so that a business approach becomes second nature.
Managerial Decision Analysis
–
Karl Schmedders
In the era of data science and artificial intelligence, managers need a solid grasp of the foundations of uncertainty modeling, business analytics, and AI tools. This course begins with fundamental concepts of uncertainty management and decision-making under risk. You will explore both the power and limitations of data analysis in business contexts. Special emphasis is placed on regression analysis, which continues to be one of the most important and interpretable tools in management analytics. The course will also include forward-looking discussion of modern AI, including an accessible introduction to large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, and their potential role in enhancing managerial insight, productivity, and decision-making.
All participants are eligible to join the optional international trip together with the participants of the parallel EMBA program at the SimonBusiness School in Rochester (New York, U.S.).
Class Statistics
In our classes, we seek to combine a diversity of profiles to provide you with the most beneficial classroom experience and professional network possible. Here you can find the statistics of a typical class.
Origin
Functional Background
Industry Background
| Gender (female students) |
Average Age |
Average Work Experience |
Average Management Experience |
| 22% | 39 | 16 | 9 |
Your Benefits
Well-Aligned Curriculum
Strengthen your finance skills with courses in Financial and Managerial Accounting, Project and Company Valuation as well as an elective and bring increased value to your organization.
International Excellence
Bloomberg Businessweek 2024
(Simon Business School) since 1996
Financial Times 2025
Next Information Sessions and Open Days
Get in touch with us!
Do you have questions about the program? Our team is happy to answer them.