SEC approves new PCAOB audit confirmation standards targeting fraud

Since early 2021, SEC Chair Gary Gensler has called on the PCAOB to more aggressively oversee the accounting firms that audit publicly listed companies.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 7, 2023

Auditors say accountant shortage ramps up work pressure: CAQ

A decline in the pool for accounting talent has prompted many U.S. companies to raise pay and provide greater workplace flexibility.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 6, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from CFO Dive

Cooling inflation, an M&A rebound and an AI reckoning are among the top forces that could shape the corporate finance world this year.

By CFO Dive staff

Most economists put odds of recession at 50% or less: NABE

A report Tuesday of declining job vacancies bolstered optimism that the labor market will cool without pushing up unemployment much beyond the 3.9% level in October.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 5, 2023

PayPal venture arm backs Israeli data privacy startup

The funding boost comes as data privacy management startup Mine seeks to increase its hiring in the U.S.

By Alexei Alexis • Dec. 5, 2023

Payments processor Tipalti investigating ransomware attack

The Alphv ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday and threatened to extort Tipalti customers with allegedly stolen data.

By Matt Kapko • Dec. 4, 2023

Powell does not rule out Fed rate hike even while noting slower inflation

The Fed chief suggested that borrowing costs will remain high for the foreseeable future despite recent signs that inflation, hiring and economic growth are slowing.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 1, 2023

Retailers have a crime problem. It’s in the numbers.

The issue is complex and often clouded by imprecise data — sometimes from the industry itself.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 1, 2023

Inflation, consumer spending cool, validating pause in Fed rate hikes

Fed officials have recently noted progress in curbing price pressures but cautioned against expectations of sustained disinflation or an imminent cut to borrowing costs.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 30, 2023

Insurers hit with attorneys’ fees after trying to get out of indemnifying policyholders

A New York Supreme Court ruling creates precedent in the way it makes the loser in an insurance matter pay its client.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 30, 2023

Health care benefit costs surge 9.8%: WTW

High inflation and strains from COVID-19 prolonged a trend of rising medical care costs.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 29, 2023

Consumer confidence rises after a three-month decline: Conference Board

The gain in consumer confidence preceded a surge in online spending on Black Friday.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 28, 2023

‘Rough ride’: 5 CFO tips for cutting insurance costs amid climate change

CFOs facing more destructive weather and soaring insurance costs can take five steps to hold down premiums.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 26, 2023

Weaker consumer spending to trigger mild recession in 2024: Fannie Mae

Consumer sentiment sagged this month, a survey showed, bolstering forecasts that holiday sales and consumer spending will decline in coming weeks.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 22, 2023

Economy sputtering toward ‘very short recession’: Conference Board

The economy will likely shrink in coming months and end 2024 with just lackluster growth, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 20, 2023

Palo Alto revenue surges amid ‘unprecedented’ cyberthreats

Escalating cyberthreats and related regulatory pressures are keeping customer demand high, the company’s CEO said.

By Alexei Alexis • Nov. 16, 2023

Retail sales fall, adding to signs economy cooling after hot Q3 growth

Gradual declines in consumer spending, hiring and inflation suggest that the Federal Reserve may achieve a “soft landing” for the economy.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 15, 2023

‘Cash is king’ carries new weight in high-rate, SVB era

The higher cost of capital has executives doubling down on cash by incentivizing customers to pay sooner and holding inventory reins tighter, according to panelists at the MIT Sloan CFO Summit.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 15, 2023

Inflation slows, spurring bets Fed will start cutting rates in May

Price pressures declined last month in all major categories except for food, the Labor Department reported.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 14, 2023

Fed whipsawed on key signals for inflation expectations

With just a month before their next meeting, Fed officials are tracking expectations for inflation as a sign of whether businesses will raise prices and workers will demand higher pay.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 13, 2023

Powell says Fed’s inflation fight ‘has a long way to go’

The Fed needs to see more signs of easing price pressures before declaring an end to monetary tightening, central bank officials said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 9, 2023

MGM Resorts anticipates no further disruptions from September cyberattack

The company expects insurance to cover more than $100 million in losses stemming from lost bookings and disruptions at its Las Vegas properties.

By David Jones • Nov. 9, 2023

PCAOB chief chides auditors for blaming failures on talent shortage

The quality of audits has trended “in the wrong direction for the second year in a row,” PCAOB Chair Erica Williams said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 8, 2023

SEC commissioner suggests ‘re-proposing’ climate risk disclosure rule

Some investors seek broader company disclosures with the aim of promoting social change rather than clarifying stock valuations, SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 7, 2023

Palo Alto agrees to buy Talon Cyber Security in M&A ramp-up

The agreement is Palo Alto Networks’ second acquisition of an Israeli tech startup since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last month.

By Alexei Alexis • Nov. 7, 2023

Combative Trump is lukewarm on ex-CFO’s financial reports

Testifying in the $250 million civil fraud case against him, ex-President Trump pinned the main responsibility for his financial reports on his senior executives and outside accountants.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 6, 2023