Deep Dive: Page 3

Industry insights from our journalists


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    4 ways CFOs can cut waste in spending on the cloud

    The typical company wastes as much as 35% of its cloud budget, estimates show. Wasteful spending rose as many companies rushed to move operations into the cloud during the pandemic.  

    Jim Tyson • Jan. 18, 2021
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    2021 Outlook: Why, and how, the CFO should lead ESG efforts

    This year, CFOs should prepare their companies for increased scrutiny on environmental, social and governance performance, if they haven't already. 

    Jane Thier • Jan. 12, 2021
  • 5 CFO trends to watch in 2021

    Greater attention to ESG metrics, real-time data and the wind-down of LIBOR are among the trends you'll see this year.

    Jim Tyson • Jan. 11, 2021
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    How Gilead finally spent its money

    This year, the biotech spent about $27 billion trying to become a leader in cancer research. But Gilead's CFO, Andrew Dickinson, said there's still work to be done.

    Jacob Bell • Nov. 24, 2020
  • Should your company consider a SPAC?

    Special purpose acquisition companies are becoming more popular as companies and investors see the benefits of going public without the time commitment and cost of a regular IPO.

    Ed McCarthy • Nov. 10, 2020
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    Kendall Davis/CFO Dive, data from Industry Dive
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    3 must-have CFO skills: Operating finance, strategy and communications

    Corporate finance experience is declining, while investment banking is rising, as a path to the CFO seat, CFO Dive data shows. Public accounting remains the gold standard.

    Robert Freedman • Nov. 8, 2020
  • ESG to transform CFO role

    Now that the Big Four have agreed on a set of metrics, the path forward is becoming clearer for standardized corporate ESG reporting.

    Ted Jackson • Oct. 18, 2020
  • CFOs must grapple with pandemic-related payroll tax nexus

    With employees working remotely, often in another state from the office, payroll tax and other calculations are complicated by economic nexus issues. 

    Ed McCarthy • Aug. 24, 2020
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    "LIBOR" by Nick Youngson is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    CFOs urged not to wait on devising LIBOR transition plan

    Companies face both legal and reputational risk by failing to deal with contracts using the soon-to-be-obsolete benchmark. 

    Ted Knutson • Aug. 5, 2020
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    'Bonus depreciation' rule fix makes property improvements more attractive

    Companies have a new tax incentive to remodel property post-COVID now that qualified improvement property can receive the 15-year recovery treatment, with retroactive relief available. 

    Ed McCarthy • July 12, 2020
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    Kendall Davis/CFO Dive

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    When the CFO departs, who steps up?

    Every company needs an established talent pipeline to fill the gap when its CFO leaves. But new research from CFO Dive finds that the role — and the way it is filled — is evolving. 

    Jane Thier • June 18, 2020
  • Need and eligibility keys to avoiding PPP loan liability risk

    Document what goes into your decision to apply for a loan to protect yourself and your company if you're hit with an audit or lawsuit, an attorney says. 

    Robert Freedman • May 25, 2020
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    Goodwill impairment testing during COVID-19 times

    Economic uncertainty is forcing finance chiefs to rethink the impairment testing process.

    Suzanne Northington • April 30, 2020
  • CFO in the Know: Protecting capital in pre-revenue biopharmas

    Last year, bankruptcies multiplied among early-stage drug companies, putting a premium on CFO finance management ideas. 

    Robert Freedman • March 10, 2020
  • As XBRL in financial reporting matures, focus is on accuracy

    The ability to increase financial transparency with machine-readable tags is improving, but few means are in place to ensure data quality. 

    Ted Knutson • Feb. 25, 2020
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    Emma Cosgrove
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    CFO in the Know: Getting acquired in a 'snack-eat-snack' market

    Small food companies often form in hopes of acquisition by giants like Hershey or Mondelez. How can CFOs best help their companies prepare for such large-scale acquisitions?

    Jane Thier • Feb. 11, 2020
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    Making the most of new rules on goodwill impairment

    New FASB rules for SEC-regulated companies only require one test to be met, but begin impairment calculations early to ensure accurate reporting. 

    Suzanne Northington • Feb. 3, 2020
  • New credit loss accounting standard expected to pummel retail income

    FASB's CECL standard took effect for public banks at the beginning of this year. Analysts at Morgan Stanley say it's going to hit some retailers hard.

    Robert Freedman • Jan. 27, 2020
  • CFO in the Know: The 3 most common forecasting errors retail CFOs make

    Smart investment on the planning side can help retailers better align forecasts with actual sales.

    Robert Freedman • Jan. 14, 2020
  • How a spirits company reduced stranded inventory with rolling forecasts

    The company lost sales when its popular products were out of stock, so it stopped using static forecasts to anticipate demand.

    Robert Freedman • Dec. 15, 2019
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    Brian Tucker, BioPharma Dive
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    Bankrupt biopharmas are rare. 2019 has some worried that's changing.

    Eleven biopharmas declared bankruptcy in 2019, more than any other year since at least 2011. Rising market pressures, coupled with legal liabilities, risk more companies falling to zero, experts warn.

    Andrew Dunn • Nov. 19, 2019
  • CFO in the Know: Does the beef against beef make financial sense?

    As the holidays approach, plant-based protein companies are making a play for the dinner table.

    Barbara Ballinger • Nov. 12, 2019
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    What industry gets wrong about cyber insurance

    Despite common perception, recovery from a cyber event — such as paying a ransom — cannot be decided by a carrier.

    Samantha Schwartz • Oct. 31, 2019
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    CFOs taking closer look at self-funding health insurance

    Costs of fully funded programs are increasing 8-10% a year, motivating CFOs to play a more hands-on role in shaping the insurance their company provides employees.

    Robert Freedman • Oct. 22, 2019
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    Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
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    Open enrollment 2019: 8 questions to ask your broker

    A data-driven strategy is a key differentiator. Do you have data that can provide an actionable plan?

    Jennifer Carsen • Oct. 22, 2019