Risk management
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Private capital targeting 5G, AI next year in M&A
Private equity and venture capital firms have declining M&A interest in real estate, media, retail and biotech, a BDO survey shows.
By Robert Freedman • Dec. 12, 2019 -
Half of CFOs expect recession in 2020; Fed sees more growth
CFOs say they're preparing for negative economic growth as the Fed forecasts gains of 2.2% this year and 2% next year.
By Robert Freedman • Dec. 11, 2019 -
Is Under Armour's accounting probe a lot of smoke or the start of a fire?
The company insists its sales management practices were "appropriate," but a federal investigation is just getting underway.
By Cara Salpini • Nov. 26, 2019 -
Deep DiveBankrupt 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.
By Andrew Dunn • Nov. 19, 2019 -
SponsoredDriving financial success with zero loss thinking
Zero loss thinking examines all company processes and identifies and prioritizes them as opportunities to generate the greatest gains.
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Fed lowers short-term rate a quarter point
The move is characterized as an insurance policy against global developments and continued weak business investment in the U.S.
By Robert Freedman • Oct. 30, 2019 -
For private equity deals, all parties 'benefit from having a strong CFO'
An excess of private equity capital, and deceleration of 2019 deals to date, means CFOs should prepare for opportunity in Q4.
By Jane Thier • Oct. 24, 2019 -
UK and EU reach agreement on Brexit
The United Kingdom released import-export advice for businesses that trade between the U.K. and European Union, reimplementing a plan to keep traffic moving around the Port of Dover once Brexit takes effect.
By Matt Leonard • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Move to subscription-based licensing a risk worth taking, CFO says
Software company 1E wrestled with poor revenue visibility and end-of-year volatility under its old perpetual licensing model.
By Robert Freedman • Oct. 11, 2019 -
Unemployment drops to 3.5% — the lowest in 50 years
Stagnant wages, however, remain a source of concern for some experts.
By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Oct. 07, 2019 -
Deep DiveThese 28 retailers could go bankrupt in the next year
That figure is more than double past watch lists, which are based on an analysis of CreditRiskMonitor data.
By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 02, 2019 -
Former auto group CFO faces $50M fine, 20 years for financing fraud
The finance executive of the now-bankrupt auto dealer contrived fake sales that cost Ford Motor Credit millions of dollars.
By Robert Freedman • Oct. 01, 2019 -
CFOs plan to pursue growth despite heightened macroeconomic worries
Deloitte's quarterly CFO survey shows an intention to deploy cash to generate more business.
By Robert Freedman • Sept. 29, 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 -
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 -
GM CFO Dhivya Suryadevara has $34B in liquidity to work with during strike
To offset losses, Suryadevara can push back payables and cut capital outlays, analysts say.
By Robert Freedman • Sept. 20, 2019 -
Lesson learned: 'Watch your balance sheet like a hawk,' CFO says
Amplify Credit Union's CFO John Orton argues your income statement won't give you the heads-up you need when sales drop and debt service obligations start to mount.
By Robert Freedman • Sept. 15, 2019 -
Q&AReata's new CFO on M&A, weathering a recession and biotech's quirks
Manmeet Soni helped execute multi-billion dollar sales as CFO of Pharmacyclics and Ariad. Now, the exec is moving from Alnylam to a small, Texas-based biotech.
By Andrew Dunn • 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 -
Fred's files for bankruptcy, calls back CFO to help with liquidation
Recently departed CFO Ritwik Chatterjee faces a challenging task as consulting CFO winding down the company's finances.
By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 09, 2019 -
SEC charges former CEO, CFO with fraudulent bond scheme
Executives inflated the value of bonds their lenders used to collateralize loans to the company.
By Robert Freedman • Sept. 02, 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 -
Aflac CFO says Japan Post scrutiny clouds revenue forecast
Japan Post is conducting an internal review to see whether improper sales tactics were used for up to 20% of Aflac policies sold in the country.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 23, 2019 -
Company investment in talent undermined by staff burnout
Virtually all managers say their staff is burned out, which can present a huge, costly ripple effect, according to a survey conducted by employment firm Robert Half.
By Jane Thier • Aug. 21, 2019 -
CFOs sweating unknown risks created by subcontractors
Be vigilant about reassessing a third party any time their work for the company changes, a Deloitte principal said during a risk management webinar.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 16, 2019
