Risk management

SEC backs tougher rules for audits involving multiple firms

SEC Chair Gary Gensler hailed efforts to avert significant errors in audits by multiple firms, including mistakes in the calculation of revenue and measurement of fair value.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 16, 2022

Consumer sentiment rises on improved inflation expectations

The falling price of energy and other essential goods buoyed consumer sentiments, the University of Michigan found in a survey this month.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 15, 2022

‘Inflation persistence has jumped’: Richmond Fed

Price pressures, pumped up by the pandemic and other shocks, have proven more durable in the past several quarters compared with a period beginning in 2008.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 12, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act may backfire: Tax Foundation

Republicans and Democrats clash over the impact on inflation from a health care, climate and tax bill scheduled for a vote by the House.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 11, 2022

Inflation slows but probably not enough to deter Fed tightening

Central bank officials say they need to see consistent signs that price pressures are falling toward their 2% target before they declare victory against inflation.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 10, 2022

IFF CFO sees ‘meaningful’ cost increases next year

International Flavors & Fragrances CFO said the ingredient maker is rethinking contracts as part of its effort to combat inflation. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Aug. 9, 2022

Inflation anxiety hits highest level since 1979: NFIB

Small businesses flagged several reasons for pessimism beyond price pressures, including a tight labor market and crimped supply chains, NFIB found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 9, 2022

Companies reporting weak earnings go unpunished

Several CFOs have announced disappointing second-quarter earnings while not triggering a decline in their company’s share price, FactSet said.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 8, 2022

Bankrupt Celsius pulls bid to hire ex-CFO

Cryptocurrency firm Celsius pulls motion to tap its former CFO as a bankruptcy advisor following legal objections filed from investors.

By Grace Noto • Aug. 8, 2022

‘Hot’ job gains bolster case for aggressive Fed tightening: economists

Payrolls grew last month at more than twice the consensus forecast, belying concerns that the U.S. economy is in recession.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 5, 2022

SEC should require global tax disclosure: transparency group

Spotty public disclosure by U.S. companies on foreign tax risk may erode investor confidence and increase the odds of financial market instability, according to the FACT Coalition.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 4, 2022

Bankrupt Celsius, investors clash over former CFO advisory role, allege double dipping

Investors are taking steps to block Celsius from tapping former CFO Rod Bolger as a bankruptcy advisor, a bid that comes with a costly $92,000 monthly price tag for the insolvent company.

By Grace Noto • Aug. 4, 2022

CFOs facing tight labor market revise pay, reward plans

Companies are shifting how they attract employees as many “help wanted” signs go unanswered, Willis Towers Watson said.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 3, 2022

FTC widens federal crackdown on COVID-19 scams

The Federal Trade Commission triumphed in lawsuits against companies that in early 2020 exploited the rush to combat the coronavirus.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 2, 2022

CFOs look for consistency, transparency in emerging sustainability requirements

CFOs globally are asking for added transparency and more consistency as regulatory bodies gear up to publish sustainability reporting standards later this year.

By Grace Noto • Aug. 1, 2022

SEC may take ‘fresh look’ at auditor conflicts of interest: Gensler

Decades after the Enron accounting scandal led Congress to direct the SEC to create stronger barriers between auditors and other parts of their firms, auditor conflicts of interest persist.  

By Maura Webber Sadovi • July 28, 2022

Recession likely to begin in first quarter 2023: Fannie Mae

The Fed will probably succeed in slowing inflation but its withdrawal of stimulus may trigger a recession early next year, economists said.

By Jim Tyson • July 22, 2022

Most accountants suffer burnout: study

A high level of chronic stress increases the rate of accounting error, prompting many companies to reopen their books after closing to fix mistakes.

By Jim Tyson • July 21, 2022

Confidence among CFOs, accountants falls to record low: survey

Rising operating costs and persistent supply chain bottlenecks clouded CFOs’ outlook during the three months ending in June.

By Jim Tyson • July 19, 2022

Nearly one-third of workers plan to quit: Conference Board

Many CFOs are raising wages in order to curb near-record attrition in a highly competitive labor market.

By Jim Tyson • July 18, 2022

The ABCs and IRCs of cannabis accounting

From cash control issues to inadequate reporting and point of sale (POS) software, accounting for cannabis dispensaries is no easy feat and the wrong move can land a company in serious legal trouble.

By Andrew Hunzicker • July 14, 2022

Prices surge 9.1% as Fed girds for tougher inflation fight

The jump last month in “core prices” — excluding volatile food and energy — signals that inflation was widespread. 

By Jim Tyson • July 13, 2022

Inflation knocks small business expectations to record low: NFIB

Small businesses — a bellwether for U.S. economic trends — face persistent hiring challenges in a tight labor market.

By Jim Tyson • July 12, 2022

Cloud computing adds value well beyond agility, efficiency: Deloitte

Companies excelling in the use of cloud computing work with three or four cloud providers rather than only one or two and do not spend much more on cloud platforms and services than their rivals, Deloitte found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • July 11, 2022

Auditors see inflation plaguing economy for at least 12 months: CAQ

High inflation and tight labor markets have compelled many CFOs to revise business plans during the past several months. Most audit partners see the two challenges persisting.

By Jim Tyson • July 8, 2022