'Price-wage spiral' boosting inflation: Moody's

CFOs facing the worst inflation in more than 30 years can largely blame price increases rather than wage pressures, Moody’s said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 7, 2022

CFOs should adopt strategies of activist investors: Gartner

CFOs should advance beyond the role of reviewer or advisor and serve as an “activist,” crafting a business strategy and investment portfolio that maximizes long-term value.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 4, 2022

Supply chain overhaul brings benefits with tax complexity: EY

Although the pandemic revealed the costs of relying on a global supply chain, companies that bring production home may face a big tax bill.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 28, 2022

Inflation will persist through 2023 even if pandemic fades: Conference Board

Federal Reserve efforts to curb inflation will probably collide against several inflationary forces, including reshoring of production and shortages of both workers and semiconductors.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 27, 2022

CFOs need to change how they discuss inflation: Gartner

Rising price pressures have pushed inflation toward the top of agenda items during earnings calls, prompting some needed changes in tactics by CFOs.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 26, 2022

Cybersecurity increasingly on audit committee agendas

To the extent CFOs support the committees, they could be called on to help find experts to join, or present to, members who are tasked with preventing a damaging breach.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 26, 2022

CFOs 'managing blind' the rising pressure for ESG gains: Accenture

Companies lack the expertise and consistent metrics for satisfying growing investor demand for sustainable operations.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2022

Legal strategy works best when it starts as budget strategy

Giving the legal team resources to anticipate risks is a cost-effective way to manage disputes that companies can expect to face, a strategist says.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 25, 2022

Sales rising but more companies expect falling profits: NABE

A steady increase in profits may falter at some companies this quarter in the face of shortages caused by the omicron variant of COVID-19.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 24, 2022

CFOs to use debt issuance for M&A, refinancing in 2022: Moody's

Companies are in “savings mode” and well prepared for both M&A and riding out turbulence in financial markets, Moody’s said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 21, 2022

Dawn of post-LIBOR era brings SOFR, operational challenges to CFOs

More work needs to be done to assure a seamless transition "when the switch is actually thrown in the middle of next year," Deloitte's Alexey Surkov said.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 21, 2022

CFOs, accountants vexed by surging operating costs

CFOs and other financial executives express rising concern about increasing prices for transport, energy and other costs, a survey found.  

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 20, 2022

Companies ignoring employee demands will falter: Fink

A tight labor market has strengthened workers’ clout, compelling corporate leaders to increase pay and benefits or risk underperformance, according to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 18, 2022

Inflation 'skyrocketing' as C-suite worry: Conference Board

Price pressure has surged into the top ranks of CFO concerns, drawing more attention than anytime in nearly nearly 40 years, surveys show.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 13, 2022

Inflation to 'remain very elevated' in 2022: Furman

A persistent imbalance between supply and demand and labor shortages will likely push inflation in 2022 above Fed forecasts for the second consecutive year, former White House economist Jason Furman said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 10, 2022

Pension plans gain while facing headwinds in 2022: Goldman

Companies this year will likely “de-risk” their pension plans by shifting more capital into fixed-income assets, Goldman Sachs Asset Management said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 7, 2022

IPOs surge to record in 2021 with most issuers hitting target price: EY

Fiscal stimulus, low interest rates and abundant capital are some of the forces driving a robust market in initial public offerings.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 22, 2021

5 CFO tips for adjusting wages to high inflation, labor shortages

CFOs eager to attract and retain workers and overcome labor shortages can follow five strategies to raise compensation and sustain profits.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 21, 2021

Regulators warn of legal risks to companies that botch LIBOR transition

“More work remains to be done” on the imminent phase-out of LIBOR to reduce the risk of market instability, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 17, 2021

CFOs rank 'retention, retention, retention' as top priority for 2022: Deloitte

Intense competition for workers has prompted CFOs to plan improvements in hiring and retaining employees during 2022, Deloitte found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 16, 2021

CFOs fall short of meeting investors' ESG reporting needs: EY

CFOs need to close a "reporting gap" with investors by providing more information on company sustainability performance, EY said.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 14, 2021

How to improve your controls and mitigate audit risk

Spreadsheets and other manual processes used as a primary financial close tool create inefficiencies and increase risk, leading to problems cropping up in audits.

Dec. 13, 2021

'War for talent' rises toward top of C-suite risks for 2022

High inflation and a tight labor market complicate CFO efforts to raise wages to a level that wins in the competition for talent.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 9, 2021

Economic uncertainty contributing to rise in M&A disputes

Conflict between buyers and sellers is rising for a number of reasons, but a big one is the rapid change in economic conditions, says a global M&A disputes report by Berkeley Research Group.   

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 8, 2021

Inflation to exceed Fed's 2% target for three years: NABE survey

CFOs face an especially murky outlook for 2022 as the omicron virus variant spreads, inflation flares at the highest level in 30 years and job market surveys signal both weakness and strength.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 6, 2021