Deep Dive

Industry insights from our journalists

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    Three key steps to the fractional CFO seat

    Figuring out your niche — and what you can charge for it — is an essential first step for intrepid fractional CFOs, experts say.

    Grace Noto • Aug. 16, 2023
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    Who will pay to decarbonize the supply chain?

    Some brands are helping their suppliers reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Others are dumping new requirements on vendors without shouldering any of the costs.

    Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 15, 2023
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    The dawn of the interim CFO

    With financial leadership coming at a premium, interim CFOs are having their moment in the spotlight.  

    Grace Noto • May 16, 2023
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    4 CFO tips for demystifying AI hype

    Innovation in AI has prompted talk of a coming technological leap as profound as the creation of the internet. It has also sparked anxiety. CFOs need to navigate past the hype and fear.

    Jim Tyson • April 17, 2023
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    Women CFOs: Raising their hands

    From promotions amid pregnancies, fake engagement rings and surprise opportunities, these women leaders have faced highs and lows on their way to finance leadership.

    Elizabeth Flood • March 29, 2023
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    KPMG’s 29-year SVB stint stirs independence debate

    The bank’s failure — two weeks after it effectively got a clean bill of financial health — is reigniting some concerns that cozy client-auditor ties may jeopardize audit rigor.

    Maura Webber Sadovi • March 16, 2023
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    Standard-setters consider softer start to climate risk disclosure

    A backlash against proposals to require detailed corporate reporting on climate risk may compel more gradual application of the rules.

    Jim Tyson • Feb. 24, 2023
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    4 rules for CFOs cutting office space

    Trimming office space budgets has always been a quick cost-cutting solution for companies in recessionary times. Now hybrid work is complicating matters.

    Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 31, 2023
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    5 CFO tips for boosting tech ROI

    CFOs are overhauling their technology budgets as inflation, slumping economic growth and other external forces jeopardize their earnings targets.

    Jim Tyson • Jan. 27, 2023
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    4 CFO trends to watch in 2023

    Fed efforts to curb inflation, an imbalance in the demand and supply of workers and clarification of accounting standards are among the CFO trends this year.

    Jim Tyson and Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 6, 2023
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    CFO stressors: Job creep

    While many finance chiefs are adjusting to their expanding duties, some CFOs feel they are doing an untenable share of the C-suite’s heavy lifting.

    Elizabeth Flood • Dec. 7, 2022
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    CFO stressors: Four cures for inflation fever

    CFOs have seized on ways to shield profits against the worst price pressures in nearly 40 years.

    Jim Tyson • Nov. 21, 2022
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    CFO stressors: Agonizing over layoffs

    As a growing number of economists forecast a downturn, finance chiefs are wrestling with if or when to make the hard, emotionally-charged call to cut jobs.

    Grace Noto • Oct. 31, 2022
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    CFO stressors: Sounding the alarm after suicide

    Gustavo Arnal’s death has led to new conversations around C-suite mental healthcare and the rising pressures challenging even the most battle-tested finance leaders.

    Maura Webber Sadovi • Oct. 24, 2022
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    7 CFO tips to prepare for SEC climate risk rule

    CFOs should not delay putting in place the staff, technology and processes needed to comply with an imminent SEC rule requiring detailed disclosure on climate risk.

    Jim Tyson • Oct. 18, 2022
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    ESG backlash unlikely to derail SEC climate risk rule

    SEC Chair Gary Gensler faces growing resistance to the agency’s proposal that companies provide detailed disclosures on carbon emissions.

    Jim Tyson • Oct. 17, 2022
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    Furniture retailers adapt to supply chain chaos

    As some retailers extend lead times and amass inventory to manage delays, they're also building sourcing relationships beyond China and Vietnam.

    Ben Unglesbee • April 25, 2022
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    CFOs hold pay raises far below inflation despite war for talent

    CFOs are spurring resignations by letting inflation far outpace wage gains. They can take steps to improve employee retention even as prices increase at the highest rate in four decades.

    Jim Tyson • March 11, 2022
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    CFOs reveal four inflation-coping strategies

    CFOs in several industries describe how they are trying to shield profits against an inflationary surge.

    Jim Tyson • Feb. 9, 2022
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    8 CFO tips for pursuing M&A amid dealmaking 'fever'

    M&A will probably surge this year after a record 2021, and CFOs who want to prevail in the highly competitive market should follow several best practices.

    Jim Tyson • Jan. 14, 2022
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    5 CFO trends to watch in 2022

    Against a backdrop of rising costs, finance leaders will be navigating a number of strategic considerations, including the need for talent and the right tax strategy.

    Robert Freedman and Jim Tyson • Jan. 4, 2022
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    5 CFO tips for adjusting wages to high inflation, labor shortages

    CFOs eager to attract and retain workers and overcome labor shortages can follow five strategies to raise compensation and sustain profits.

    Jim Tyson • Dec. 21, 2021
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    11 CFO tips for riding the rising tide in ESG activism

    CFOs eager to steer clear of shareholder activists should publicly embrace sustainability despite flaws in the measurement of best practices.

    Jim Tyson • Oct. 20, 2021
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    Why CFOs speak to the press (and whether they should)

    Finance chiefs' credibility, diligence and deep knowledge of the numbers make them ideal candidates for press interviews and company spokespeople, PR specialists say.

    Jane Thier • Aug. 13, 2021
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    From green to gold: 5 ways CFOs can gain from climate risk disclosure

    CFOs confronting growing pressure to disclose climate change risks can find in their analysis opportunities to improve capital allocation and risk management.

    Jim Tyson • June 29, 2021