Companies more open when they face higher lawsuit risk

The easier it is to sue, the more shareholders benefit, because companies are more likely to give regular guidance on the direction of their earnings.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 15, 2019

Since Enron, most countries have adopted accounting standards

The next phase is to gain widespread adoption of investigation and discipline standards — in short, give standards more teeth.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 14, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

CFO best practices in the evolving generative AI era

As the initial frenzy around the launch of generative artificial intelligence subsides, a new GenAI era appears to be taking shape.

By CFO Dive staff

Accounting GAAP: Why digital companies struggle with reporting standards

The legacy accounting system often misses the mark for many businesses. 

By Suzanne Northington • Oct. 6, 2019

Look at evidence before splitting up audit firms, accounting coalition says

The International Federation of Accountants and other global accounting associations say firms that combine audit and non-audit work tend to perform better than those that only perform audits. 

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 3, 2019

SEC rule expansion lets all companies 'test the waters' before issuing IPO

The SEC's rule, previously reserved for emerging enterprises, allows companies to gauge market interest among potential investors before or after filing their registration statement.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 2, 2019

Lawmaker wants FASB standards subject to federal rulemaking procedures

Unhappiness with how FASB handled its Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) standard has led to a flurry of activism in the House.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 30, 2019

Fiat Chrysler to pay $40M over misleading investors on sales

The company touted uninterrupted sales growth between 2012 and 2016. In months when the streak would have ended, it reported old sales as though they had just occurred, the SEC said.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 29, 2019

PwC settles with SEC for $7.9M over audit violations, improper conduct

The firm exercised decision-making authority on behalf of some public clients, violating audit independence rules.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 23, 2019

Reverse factoring in cash management prompts alarm from Moody's

Companies are stretching out their supplier payments with a new take on conventional factoring, but this often creates an undisclosed material debt obligation.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 22, 2019

Former Viking Energy CEO charged with lying about CFO

The company operated without a finance chief despite a CFO signature appearing on annual and quarterly reports.  

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 18, 2019

Disclosure rule hasn't improved audit quality, researchers say

PCAOB's Rule 3211, controversial when enacted, was supposed to increase accountability and audit quality.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 17, 2019

SEC fines Marvell Technology $5.5M in revenue manipulation scheme

The company's use of pull-in sales masked a substantial decline in customer demand, a loss of market share and reduced future sales, the agency said. 

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 16, 2019

5 signs you're about to run out of cash

Cash is surprisingly hard to track, and knowing when it's about to run out is harder if you don't know the warning signs. 

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 12, 2019

Former KPMG audit chief receives prison sentence for 'steal-the-exam' role

A former 30-year KPMG executive was found guilty earlier this year of trying to give auditors a head's-up on which audits were to be reviewed by a federal regulator. 

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 12, 2019

Auditors' ears are always listening, consultant says

Risk management encompasses all aspects of an operation, from the tone coming out of the C-suite to what finance staff say to auditors at dinner.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 11, 2019

Median corporate CFO compensation is $203K, study finds

A comprehensive Robert Half study lets finance and accounting professionals know how they stack up. 

By Jane Thier • Sept. 11, 2019

RSM US fined $950K for auditor independence violations

Affiliates of the accounting firm provided services to affiliates of companies it was auditing, the SEC said.

By Robert Freedman • Aug. 27, 2019

Moody's blasts FASB's proposed lease accounting delay

A plan to give private companies and nonprofits an extra year to adopt new lease accounting standards will hinder credit analyses, analysts at Moody's say.

By Robert Freedman • Aug. 20, 2019

GE misreporting finances by $38B, Madoff whistleblower claims

The company denies improprieties and accuses the analyst of having a vested interest in creating short-term volatility in its stock.  

By Robert Freedman • Aug. 15, 2019

Macy's CFO 'not pleased' with disappointing Q2 earnings report

CFO Paula Price expressed optimism towards the future, but the company admitted it must overcome problems in forecasting and inventory management. 

By Jane Thier • Aug. 15, 2019

SEC easing public companies' business disclosures

Public companies have more flexibility in describing their business and the risks they face in proposed changes to SEC rules.

By Robert Freedman • Aug. 13, 2019

Tariffs to cost maker of Saucony, Keds $5M, CFO says

CFO Mike Stornant said the pull-forward began in reaction to previous tariff threats, with inventory rising 35% in Q2.  

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 13, 2019

Auditors penalized for highlighting companies' weak internal controls

Growth in one audit firm's business shrunk 8% after it exposed companies' weak controls.  

By Robert Freedman • Aug. 13, 2019

DoorDash in search of $400M bank loan in advance of rumored IPO

This new influx of funds could better prepare it to go public and strengthen investor confidence in the food delivery company.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 13, 2019

Teva CFO resigns amid restructuring

Michael McClellan's departure comes as the generics giant tries to turn around sagging sales and profits.

By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 7, 2019