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. 7, 2019

These 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. 2, 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. 1, 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

Reata'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. 9, 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. 2, 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

Auditors penalized for highlighting companies' weak internal controls

Growth in one audit firm's business shrunk 8% after it exposed companies' weak controls.  

By Robert Freedman • Aug. 13, 2019

AI key to modernizing finance function

Traditional finance department models are becoming largely "ineffective and out of date" and need to be replaced by models that enable them to execute on day-to-day demands while delivering greater business value, CFOs said.

By Jane Thier • Aug. 7, 2019

$650 million Equifax settlement a wake-up call for CFOs, security expert says

CFOs are advised to devote the resources to put verification systems in place to avoid the kind of consumer data breach that hit Equifax.

By Jane Thier • Aug. 2, 2019

Akorn takes $74 million charge to settle shareholder lawsuit

Investors accused the generics maker of knowingly ignoring data integrity issues at the company's manufacturing facilities — problems that eventually derailed a $4.3 billion deal with Fresenius. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Aug. 1, 2019

Capital One breach prompts class-action suits, state AG probes

At least two consumers and three attorneys general initiate action against the bank in the wake of this week's security concerns.

By Dan Ennis • July 31, 2019