Remote work, whistleblower laws poised to fuel PPP, other fraud prosecutions

As the second year of PPP loans winds down, expect a surge in allegations by employees who feel declining allegiance to their employers, attorneys say.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 26, 2021

SBA approves over $5B in loans during first week of PPP re-opening

Amid mounting costs from the pandemic, the SBA begins a new round of Paycheck Protection Program lending approved by Congress in December.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Navigating risk in turbulent times

CFOs must help their organizations mitigate risks by balancing the need for both growth and stability. 

By CFO Dive staff

EY report: IPOs surge worldwide during Q4 amid pandemic

Liquidity from pandemic-related government spending helped fuel a rise in global IPOs during the fourth quarter of 2020 that will likely persist in 2021, Ernst & Young said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 24, 2021

Yellen: Small business, COVID-19 aid more important than deficits right now

The Biden Administration wants to amend rather than repeal the 2017 tax law by eliminating some benefits to large companies and the highest-income taxpayers, the Treasury nominee said during her confirmation hearing.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 20, 2021

4 ways CFOs can cut waste in spending on the cloud

The typical company wastes as much as 35% of its cloud budget, estimates show. Wasteful spending rose as many companies rushed to move operations into the cloud during the pandemic.  

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 18, 2021

CFOs, HR leaders optimistic about recovery in 2021, survey finds

Financial executives at emerging and mid-market businesses expect COVID-19 vaccine distributions this year to brighten the economic outlook.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 14, 2021

2021 Outlook: Why, and how, the CFO should lead ESG efforts

This year, CFOs should prepare their companies for increased scrutiny on environmental, social and governance performance, if they haven't already. 

By Jane Thier • Jan. 12, 2021

North American M&A deal volume hits record Q4, survey finds

Although deal-makers shook off the pandemic during the fourth quarter, total global transactions fell last year to the lowest level since the mortgage finance crisis.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 12, 2021

Companies experiencing financial, operational stress from COVID-19, survey finds

Publicly traded company leaders anticipate a surge of bankruptcies as the dust clears, a Boston Consulting Group survey found. 

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 12, 2021

As fraud rises, CFOs must approach numbers skeptically, report finds

Executives might be committed to accuracy, but middle managers and others throughout the organization must be on board, too.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 12, 2021

5 CFO trends to watch in 2021

Greater attention to ESG metrics, real-time data and the wind-down of LIBOR are among the trends you'll see this year.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 11, 2021

Careful pruning, not blanket cuts, aids post-pandemic growth

Start with below-the-line costs, be strategic on headcount and cloud spend, and look for ways to get customers to newer products, finance executives say.

By Ted Knutson • Dec. 22, 2020

CFOs must consider tax, legal issues before closing offices

Work with your HR chief to factor in your organization’s talent strategy before deciding how much real estate you want to let go; having permanent remote workers has far-reaching implications.

By Steve Black • Dec. 20, 2020

SEC's cooperation credit an olive branch that can come with thorns

Clarity would help companies weigh the cost of cooperation against the benefit they might, or might not, receive in return, enforcement specialists say.

By Ted Knutson • Dec. 15, 2020

Feds OK 18-month LIBOR reprieve

Existing instruments are expected to be main beneficiaries; new issues still on track to use different rates.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 14, 2020

It takes a visionary CFO to build a modern finance function

CFOs need continuous planning and a modern vision to create the finance department their business needs.

By Shane Hansen, Planful CFO • Dec. 14, 2020

How to ensure virtual roadshows, negotiations are safe amid COVID-19

Even after the pandemic recedes, virtual meetings will likely remain popular. Here’s how to host them in a way that minimizes liability.

By Ted Knutson • Dec. 13, 2020

4 in 5 companies to change ESG measures in exec pay plans, survey finds

Despite larger cost-cutting objectives, boards are putting a stronger emphasis on environmental, inclusion and diversity priorities, according to a Willis Towers Watson survey.

By Jane Thier • Dec. 10, 2020

Sustainability reporting nearly universal among large companies, survey finds

Although some reporting standards are widely used, there isn’t a single framework for companies to ensure accurate measurement and communication of their environmental impact, a KPMG survey found. 

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 2, 2020

Credit action helped payments company FLEETCOR withstand COVID-19

The company reined in the amount companies could float, limiting its exposure amid the uncertainty.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 15, 2020

Using data analytics to improve audit functions

Data analytics let finance leaders employ a risk-based approach to conducting internal and compliance audits and prioritize improvements when problems are found.  

By Greg Buchanan, Michael Costa and Ed Levy • Nov. 8, 2020

Violators pay SEC a record $4.7B in judgments

The agency brought hundreds of enforcement actions against companies and individuals in the fiscal year just closed, despite the pandemic. 

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 4, 2020

Extraction, retail companies comprise majority of 2020 mega bankruptcies

Filings by companies with $100 million or more in assets have jumped 84% over last year. More than a third involve companies with $1 billion or more in assets.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 29, 2020

SEC eases auditor independence rules

Audit firms are less likely to get in trouble for working with affiliated companies.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 19, 2020

ESG to transform CFO role

Now that the Big Four have agreed on a set of metrics, the path forward is becoming clearer for standardized corporate ESG reporting.

By Ted Jackson • Oct. 18, 2020