Deep Dive

Industry insights from our journalists

  • A group of people in suits standing behind a sign that reads "Fighting retail crime." The U.S. Capitol is in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of the National Retail Federation
    Image attribution tooltip

    Retailers have a crime problem. It’s in the numbers.

    The issue is complex and often clouded by imprecise data — sometimes from the industry itself.

    Daphne Howland • Dec. 1, 2023
  • A massive gray storm cloud gathers on the horizon over a placid body of water.
    Image attribution tooltip
    petesphotography via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Rough ride’: 5 CFO tips for cutting insurance costs amid climate change

    CFOs facing more destructive weather and soaring insurance costs can take five steps to hold down premiums.

    Jim Tyson • Nov. 26, 2023
  • CFO executive pathway
    Image attribution tooltip
    baona via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Next-gen CFOs: Forging a new path

    The finance chief has long been more than a routine number-cruncher. For Gen Z, the route to the CFO chair will likely better reflect the role’s complexity.

    Grace Noto • Nov. 16, 2023
  • Exterior of an Allbirds store in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood
    Image attribution tooltip
    Caroline Jansen/CFO Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why EBITDA has such a strong hold on retail

    Is it the 'Wild West' of measures or a fair predictor of long-term success? Either way, retailers won’t quit talking about EBITDA.

    Dani James • Sept. 25, 2023
  • Businessman climbing set of stairs
    Image attribution tooltip
    Love portrait and love the world via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Solar power station and solar energy panels on the green field in Chester, New Jersey.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Potemkin via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • businessman rising up staircase
    Image attribution tooltip
    metamorworks via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Artificial Intelligence concept brain with CPU
    Image attribution tooltip
    MF3d via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Angela Pierce, CFO at Anaconda
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Anaconda
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • KPMG
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mark Renders via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Salesforce Tower
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Server row light up with blue lights
    Image attribution tooltip
    Morris MacMatzen via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Cash dollars lying on the ground
    Image attribution tooltip
    Rrraum via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Illustrated stock image of a business person wearing a blazer and tie with a heavy load of paper on his back.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Nuthawut Somsuk via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Lukas Schulze via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Employees on their way to work
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Barbour via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A blurred image of trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Trees burn in a wildfire.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Eric Thayer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Thomas Cain via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Background of american one dollar bills
    Image attribution tooltip
    OlyaSolodenko/iStock via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Getty graphics
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty graphics via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Businessman draws increase arrow graph corporate future growth year 2021 to 2022. Development to success and motivation.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Galeanu Mihai via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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