How a fintech CFO preserves long-term ambition through cost-cutting amid pandemic

As the coronavirus pandemic brings fast-growing startup culture to its knees, fintech CFO Catherine Birkett advises balancing long-term ambition with near-term KPIs.

By Jane Thier • April 29, 2020

CFOs cautioned on post-lockdown tort risk

Plaintiff attorneys face a high bar to show someone contracted COVID-19 after workspaces reopen, but defending against their claims is expensive.

By Robert Freedman • April 29, 2020

Survey: 42% of CFOs lack contingency plans for a 2nd COVID-19 wave

A second wave could mean another drop in customer demand that CFOs' revenue and profit models won't capture, a Gartner Finance research vice president said.

By Jane Thier • April 28, 2020

Survey: As states reopen, CFOs prioritize cost containment, safety measures

CFOs will focus on reducing costs and keeping their workplace safe as stay-at-home mandates lift and employees slowly return to work, a new PwC survey reveals.

By Jane Thier • April 27, 2020

Boeing CFO tapped to lead new enterprise operations group

The group will help get the company back into competitive mode as it restarts commercial airplane operations in Washington State later this week. 

By Jane Thier • April 22, 2020

Harvard CFO: Must cut non-essential spending, despite $41B endowment and stimulus aid

After the Dept. of Education announced Harvard would be receiving $9 million from the CARES Act, many expressed outrage. But that cash may be more vitally needed than appearances suggest, university CFO Thomas J. Hollister said.

By Jane Thier • April 20, 2020

CFOs' challenge: Anticipating the new normal

As you try modeling what the world will look like post-COVID, don't assume a return to the past, planning specialists say.

By Robert Freedman • April 16, 2020

Can COVID-19 get you out of a contract as a material adverse change?

Whether you can cite the pandemic as a ground for getting out of a contract — or if someone can cite it against you — depends on subtleties of law. 

By Gary Kleinrichert, Brent Miller • April 15, 2020

Economist: China not a good model to predict recovery

​A modest recovery through the second half of the year will likely follow stay-in-place restrictions, Andrew Duguay of Prevedere says.

By Robert Freedman • April 8, 2020

Filing for bankruptcy? Understand your lenders' leverage

No one wants to consider bankruptcy. But as the downturn persists, CFOs will benefit from understanding their lenders' tactical goals.

By Kenneth Rosen • April 4, 2020

PwC: 87% of CFOs fear COVID-19 business impacts

In the two weeks since PricewaterhouseCoopers released its first survey, CFOs' fears about the long-term impacts of the virus have ballooned.

By Jane Thier • March 31, 2020

CFO's secret weapon against coronavirus: Scenario planning

Dennis McGonigle, CFO of SEI Investments, has run practices of business interruption and disaster events, including what they’d do in the case of a pandemic, with his company for years. Here's how he's managing COVID-19.

By Jane Thier • March 30, 2020

General Motors, Boeing CFOs share 'immediate, aggressive' cost-cutting plans

Both the automotive and airline industries are facing enormous challenges amid the coronavirus pandemic, with GM halting production altogether to focus on manufacturing much-needed ventilators. 

By Jane Thier • March 29, 2020

Payment recovery touted as source of working capital

Building a forensic audit into your source-to-pay process could put otherwise misspent money back into your pocket.

By Robert Freedman • March 26, 2020

More CFOs feeling the heat with ransomware

Cybersecurity is a finance issue that CFOs leave to tech colleagues at their peril, Anup Singh of network security company Illumio says.  

By Anup Singh • March 25, 2020

Government trying loans, payments, credit support to curb economic freefall

An open-ended bond-buying commitment and new credit facilities are added to what would be the most expensive piece of legislation in history if it passes.

By Robert Freedman • March 23, 2020

CFOs can expect indirect benefit from Fed's latest credit facility

The move gives money market fund managers the confidence to buy or roll over the commercial paper that many companies rely on to cover short-term costs.

By Robert Freedman • March 23, 2020

Coronavirus impact limited to timing issues so far, LED company CFO says

The company has taken steps to keep manufacturing on track by disinfecting its facility, but employees uncomfortable with working on site can stay home.

By Robert Freedman • March 19, 2020

UBS CFO: 'We've experienced very few losses'

Kirt Gardner says the giant Swiss bank will weather the pandemic storm, thanks to its "conservative risk profile, high-quality credit portfolio and relatively limited exposure to highly impacted industries."

By Jane Thier • March 18, 2020

CFOs confident going into coronavirus outbreak, survey finds

Thanks to the digital transformation of operations and a strong financial environment, CFOs think they're relatively well-prepared for COVID-19. But a global recession poses a real concern.

By Robert Freedman • March 16, 2020

Major US banks halt share buybacks in response to coronavirus pandemic

The forum called the COVID-19 pandemic “an unprecedented challenge for the world and the global economy,” and said the U.S.’s largest banks have an “unquestioned ability and commitment” to support the nation. 

By Anna Hrushka • March 16, 2020

Report: House scales back coronavirus leave bill, sends revisions to Senate

The bill also would temporarily amend the FMLA, creating protections for leave related to the new coronavirus for some employees.

By Kate Tornone • Updated March 17, 2020

As coronavirus persists, CFOs' hedging strategies are key

Companies with even minimal global exposure should prepare to make a currency play if the dollar remains volatile.

By Robert Freedman • March 13, 2020

'Real negative shock' to come after coronavirus, economics professor says

After WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Joseph Haslag, head of University of Missouri's Economic Policy Analysis and Research Center, told CFO Dive what he thinks is on the horizon for the U.S. economy.

By Jane Thier • March 11, 2020

CFO leadership amid the novel coronavirus crisis

How CFOs can be prepared to lead their companies through the challenges of a global health scare.  

Updated Oct. 9, 2020