From green to gold: 5 ways CFOs can gain from climate risk disclosure

CFOs confronting growing pressure to disclose climate change risks can find in their analysis opportunities to improve capital allocation and risk management.

By Jim Tyson • June 29, 2021

Whistleblowers risk getting nothing from bankrupt companies

Critics in a Wall Street Journal report point to a big flaw in one of the most important tools the Securities and Exchange Commission has to catch fraud.

By Robert Freedman • June 29, 2021

SPACs will rebound in wake of tougher oversight: Duff & Phelps

Stricter regulation will likely bolster investor confidence and spur a resurgence in SPACs, Duff & Phelps said.

By Jim Tyson • June 25, 2021

Low-quality assurance of ESG reports pose stability risk: IFAC

Companies' attempts to back up their ESG reports with low-quality assurance has put financial stability at risk, a study by the International Federation of Accountants says.

By Jim Tyson • June 24, 2021

Gensler says alternative to LIBOR poses risk of manipulation

SEC Chair Gary Gensler warned of risks in replacing LIBOR with the Bloomberg Short Term Bank Yield Index.

By Jim Tyson • June 23, 2021

A nonprofit CFO's guide to navigating a downturn

Tasked with balancing mission and sustaining revenue, CFOs have relied on difficult decisions and quick thinking to keep their nonprofit organizations afloat.

By Jane Thier • June 23, 2021

Loan default rate forecast falls as economy emerges from pandemic: Fitch

The receding pandemic and brighter prospects for some troubled sectors prompted an improved outlook for the default rate for leveraged loans, Fitch Ratings said.

By Jim Tyson • June 22, 2021

Subscription pricing: Stop relying on the negative option

Companies hurt the annual recurring revenue model by being less than straightforward in attracting and keeping subscribers and complicating cancellations.

By Krish Subramanian • June 22, 2021

Preparing for extended CFO absence

Finance leaders should think about whether the business is in a status quo cycle or preparing for a strategic move when deciding who to bring in to manage finance and accounting.

By Ted Knutson • June 21, 2021

Whistleblower plan to catch corporate tax cheats gets bipartisan push

Republican and Democratic senators seek to narrow the $630 billion annual tax gap by putting teeth into the IRS whistleblower program.

By Jim Tyson • June 18, 2021

CFO on how he learned from hiring, valuation mistakes

Finance leader Ian Charles is learning from his mistakes as he starts job at logistics software company Flexe.

By Robert Freedman • June 17, 2021

Fed forecasts higher inflation while sustaining record stimulus

Federal Reserve officials increased their forecasts for inflation while holding the benchmark rate at a record low and pushing forward with monthly bond purchases.

By Jim Tyson • June 16, 2021

SEC role given to critic of weak corporate governance

SEC Chair Gary Gensler appointed Renee Jones to lead the corporation finance division and tackle high-stakes rulemaking for public disclosure and investor protection.

By Jim Tyson • June 15, 2021

CFOs rethinking cost savings of just-in-time supply chains

Pandemic-related disruptions made it clear a broader strategic approach is needed even once the supply and demand equilibrium is restored.

By Ted Knutson • June 15, 2021

What's behind the SEC's SPAC warrant concerns

In many of the deals, the warrants don't meet an exception in FASB's accounting standards for derivatives. As a result, they're misclassified as equity in the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

By Matt Smith and Petar Tomov • June 14, 2021

LIBOR regulators warn of risks of using rates other than SOFR

Regulators urged companies to replace LIBOR with SOFR, warning that other alternative reference rates pose risks of financial instability.

By Jim Tyson • June 14, 2021

CEO, CFO of electric truck maker Lordstown resign; misleading demand alleged

The company’s pre-order demand for its product is called questionable, and it needs more money to begin production by the fall.

By Robert Freedman • June 14, 2021

Scenario plan, but don't act, until tax changes clearer

Companies await a squeeze as U.S. and global tax priorities converge to force more tax payments through profit-shifting curbs, other changes. 

By Ted Knutson • June 11, 2021

Surging inflation may herald start of long-term price trend, economists say

Long-term forces, such as aging populations and a pullback in globalization, will likely stoke inflation for decades, reversing a trend of slow price gains, economists say.

By Jim Tyson • June 10, 2021

Regulator calls for sunsetting LIBOR in some interest rate swaps in July

A Commodity Futures Trading Commission subcommittee urges a switch in interdealer trading of interest rate swaps from LIBOR to SOFR on July 26.

By Jim Tyson • June 9, 2021

SPAC lawsuits surge over disclosure claims: attorney

Securities and Exchange Commission guidance on SPAC disclosures has spurred a rise in litigation in New York State courts — almost 40 in the past six months.

By Jim Tyson • June 8, 2021

Gensler says SEC may tighten rules to avert insider-trading abuses: WSJ

SEC Chair Gary Gensler said he has asked agency staff to “use all the tools in our toolbox” to punish executives who abuse plans for trading in their own company’s shares.

By Jim Tyson • June 7, 2021

SPAC warrant restatements won't hit credit, Moody's says

Amending past financial statements to account for the shift in warrant accounting from equity to liability is just a technical change, according to an analysis.

By Robert Freedman • June 7, 2021

Fed selling of corporate bonds may cause debt issuance 'hiccups': Moody's

A Federal Reserve plan to sell corporate bonds and wind down an emergency credit program won’t significantly alter valuations but signals a change in sentiment, Moody’s Analytics said.

By Jim Tyson • June 4, 2021

FTC scrutinizing subscription pricing model

Although the Federal Trade Commission is focused on consumer abuses, the business-to-business side of recurring revenue could be affected if rule changes result.

By Robert Freedman • June 4, 2021