The Master’s Programme in Accounting & Corporate Finance is designed to train professionals capable of applying advanced economic and financial skills to support corporate decision-making processes. The programme aims to develop strong technical and managerial competencies, which are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of decisions and the efficiency of organizational processes.
The curriculum provides an integrated and in-depth exploration of key areas such as financial reporting, corporate finance, and management control, which are increasingly central to the governance of companies and organizations. In a context marked by growing complexity and rapid change, the programme addresses the need to update and strengthen both theoretical knowledge and practical tools, equipping participants with the skills required to navigate the complexity of modern organizations and the labor market.
The teaching approach is strongly oriented toward applied learning and combines theoretical lectures with practical exercises, case study analyses, and contributions from industry professionals, fostering a continuous integration of theory and practice.
The educational activities of the Master’s Programme in Accounting & Corporate Finance are structured into three main thematic areas, designed to provide a comprehensive and integrated preparation:
- Financial Reporting
This area focuses on the preparation and interpretation of individual and consolidated financial statements, with reference to both national and international accounting standards. - Management Control
This area examines the main planning and control tools, including cost analysis, budgeting, business planning, and performance measurement and evaluation systems. It also integrates transversal competencies related to business analytics, which are increasingly relevant in decision-making processes. - Corporate Finance
This area explores financial decision-making in support of corporate growth and investment, with a focus on capital budgeting, company valuation, extraordinary finance transactions, and relationships with the banking system.
The programme also includes activities related to data structuring, analysis, and reporting to support decision-making, as well as a simulation laboratory based on Business Game activities, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience of the economic and financial implications of corporate decisions.
The Master’s Programme in Accounting & Corporate Finance is designed for individuals who wish to strengthen, update, or acquire key competencies in administration, finance, and control, with a professional and career-oriented perspective.
It is particularly aimed at:
- Professionals already working in administration, finance, and control, who wish to update and expand their skills in order to evolve towards a business partner role, supporting a wide range of corporate decision-making processes.
- Recent graduates, who intend to continue their educational path by acquiring advanced competencies in accounting, management control, and finance, thereby enhancing their employability in the job market.
- Individuals with non-economic backgrounds, who seek to reposition themselves professionally by developing specialized skills and gaining a solid understanding of the tools and concepts typical of the field.
The programme prepares participants for key roles both within organizations and as independent professionals, including:
- Business and Financial Controller
- Administrative Manager
- Head of Management Control
- Business Consultant and Independent Professional
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
The Master’s program is structured into fundamental and advanced modules. During the course, a non-binding intermediate self-assessment test is предусмотрed to monitor the level of learning achieved, along with a final project work required to obtain the qualification.
Financial Statements: Preparation and Interpretation
Introduces the principles of preparing financial statements according to national accounting standards, focusing on the income statement and balance sheet.
Management Control, Cost Analysis and Budgeting
Analyzes key concepts and techniques of planning and control, including contribution margins, cost centers, operational budgeting and variance analysis.
Investment Analysis
Explores the main investment appraisal techniques such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR), as well as the cost of capital.
International Accounting Standards and Intangible Assets Valuation
Examines IAS/IFRS financial statements, the role of Other Comprehensive Income, and the accounting treatment of tangible and intangible assets.
Consolidated Financial Statements: Preparation and Interpretation
Focuses on group governance, relationships between group companies, and techniques for preparing and analyzing consolidated financial statements.
Strategic Control: Responsibilities, Incentives and Performance
Covers management by objectives, responsibility centers and incentive systems supporting business strategy.
Strategic Planning: The Business Plan
Defines the structure and key elements of the business plan and its economic and financial implications.
Big Data and Business Analytics: Data Management and Decision Reporting
Focuses on collecting, organizing and analyzing large volumes of data to support decision-making.
Corporate Financing and Bank Rating Optimization
Analyzes financing activities and creditworthiness assessment.
Sustainability Performance Measurement and Reporting
Explores multidimensional performance analysis systems, with a focus on ESG reporting.
Business Valuation and Extraordinary Finance for Growth
Examines valuation models, M&A operations, divestments and corporate restructuring.
Treasury Management
Covers tools for cash flow planning and management.
Listing on Regulated Markets and Private Equity
Addresses venture capital, private equity, investment processes and leveraged buy-outs.
Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud Prevention
Provides key concepts to understand and prevent corporate fraud.
Advanced Planning and Control Tools
Deepens budgeting processes and advanced cost analysis tools, including lean accounting.
IT LAB activities will include lessons and practice on how to use data structuring, analysis and reporting software to support corporate decision-making processes. The ACF Master’s Degree organizes three workshops:
- a half-day advanced Excel laboratory. During this laboratory, advanced Excel functions for data management and analysis will be explored in depth;
- a half-day laboratory with Tableau. During this laboratory, the use of Tableau software as a business intelligence tool will be illustrated;
- a full day laboratory “Business Game”: a training tool used in the managerial field to allow students to experience first-hand the economic and financial implications of business choices.
All workshops are optional, and will be held at the IT Lab of the Department of Economics and Management “M. Fanno”, Via Bassi 1, Padua.
The Faculty combines and integrates both theoretical and applied perspectives.
Francesco Ambrosini, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Giacomo Boesso, Full Professor of Business Administration
Fabio Buttignon, Full Professor of Corporate Finance
Diego Campagnolo, Associate Professor of Organization Studies
Fabrizio Cerbioni, Full Professor of Business Administration
Marco Ciabattoni, Chartered Accountant and Statutory Auditor
Francis De Zanche, Partner at Adacta Advisory
Elena Gaiani, Business Consultant at Thera Capital
Tiziano Galiazzo, Business Consultant at Adacta Advisory
Tommaso Lazzarini, Business Consultant and Partner at Idea Cinquanta
Giovanna Michelon, Full Professor of Business Administration
Giulia Milan, Partner at Buttignon Zotti Milan & Co.
Marco Minozzi, Business Consultant at Thera Capital
Francesco Naccarato, Partner at 110 Advisory
Emilio Passetti, Associate Professor of Business Administration
Luisa Pastega, Chartered Accountant and Business Consultant
Michele Piazza, Partner at Thera Capital
Daniele Vanin, Chartered accountant and associate partner at CONSIMP.
The programme also includes guest lectures by managers from both private and public organizations, as well as contributions from additional academic staff.
For the academic year 2026–2027, the Enzo Badioli Foundation offers a scholarship covering more than 85% of the tuition fees for the ACF Master’s Programme. The scholarship is reserved for members and children of members of BCC Roma under the age of 30.
Established in 1996 by the Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Roma in memory of its President Enzo Badioli—a prominent figure in the Cooperative Credit movement—the Foundation promotes educational and training initiatives for young people, with particular focus on professional development in the banking and financial sectors.
For further information on how to apply for the scholarship, please visit the Enzo Badioli Foundation website.
AlmaLaurea data for the 2024 edition (latest available data) show that 93.5% of participants, out of a sample of 31, would choose to enroll in the Master’s Programme again.
The Department of Economics and Management “Marco Fanno” – University of Padua is EQUIS-accredited. The international EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) accreditation certifies the Department’s excellence in terms of teaching quality, research, and strong international orientation across its activities.
The general ranking of merit for the academic year 2026/27 will be published on the Italian page of this Master according to the timing provided in the Call.
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FAQ
The ACF Master’s Programme is a first-level university Master’s degree. It is open to applicants who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, including non-economic fields.
It is also possible to attend the programme as an auditor, at a reduced tuition fee, for those who do not hold a university degree. Auditors are awarded a certificate of participation, which does not constitute an academic qualification.
Not at all. Students from any majors can enrol in this Master’s Degree.
Teaching is delivered in a dual format (in-person and via Zoom), with a mandatory attendance requirement of 70%. Classes are held on Fridays (8 hours) and Saturday mornings (4 hours), for a maximum total of 12 hours per week.
In-person activities take place at the Department of Economics and Management “Marco Fanno”, located at Via Bassi 1, Padua.
The traineeship is not mandatory to obtain the diploma; however, within the Master’s course, it is possible to complete an optional traineeship aimed at drafting the final project work.
You need to wait for the publication of the admission notice in June, and follow all the instructions to pre-register to the course.