Strategy & operations

It's better to buy than to divest assets, survey finds

The size of divestments is inversely proportional to a divesting company's performance; the bigger the divestment, the worse it performs.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 22, 2019
Finance should lead RPA integration, but IT must be at the table

Many functions within finance lend themselves to automation, freeing up staff time for higher-value work.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 22, 2019
Incoming General Mills CFO tasked with lowering debt

The food giant's debt reached $15.4 billion last year, up from $8.7 billion in 2017.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 21, 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
CFO aligns metrics to track data integration company's move into cloud

Typical SaaS company metrics weren't sufficient to help track how well Talend was moving into core growth areas, according to CFO Adam Meister.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 21, 2019
New Citrix, Lumber CFOs challenged to help their companies move forward

The businesses are asking their experienced CFOs to help struggling companies regain their competitive edge.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 20, 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
For biotech CFO, 1st priority is to keep trials funded in march toward product launch

With a background in medicine and investment banking, Marc Schegerin guides ArQule to use its money wisely while it finishes clinical trials for kinase inhibitor drugs.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 15, 2019
Companies continue to hire more CFOs from outside

Companies are looking for more varied experiences in order to move on from entrenched practices.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 14, 2019
Opinion
Finance teams must step up to guide company digital transformation

CFOs should create and lead a cross-functional team when it's time to get serious about digitally transforming their company.
By Jason Lin • Aug. 14, 2019
How Zoom became one of this year's biggest tech IPOs

CFO Kelly Steckelberg discusses how she organized her operations to support sales and product development, leading to a successful public offering.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 14, 2019
On-hand inventory key to easing tariff pain, says CFO of Advance Auto Parts

The auto parts retailer is weathering the storm by delaying new inventory purchases for as long as possible.
By Andy Burt • Aug. 14, 2019
Health insurance costs, virtual care programs on rise

Companies expect health insurance costs to rise 5% in 2020, from $14,642 to $15,375 per employee.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 13, 2019
CFO of United Natural Foods steps down, accounting chief to step in

John Howard, the company's senior vice president of finance and accounting, will replace Mike Zechmeister on an interim basis starting Aug. 23.
By Jeff Wells • Aug. 13, 2019
Amazon Web Services CFO shares 5 keys to innovation

Look beyond accounting skills and articulate ideas early to foster innovation, says CFO of a company known for its forward thinking.
By Jane Thier • Aug. 13, 2019
Tariffs to cost maker of Saucony, Keds $5M, CFO says

CFO Mike Stornant said the pull-forward began in reaction to previous tariff threats, with inventory rising 35% in Q2.
By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 13, 2019
Misconceptions hold back CFOs from wider RPA adoption

Robotic process automation promises more efficient finance operations, and it's much simpler to adopt than finance executives may realize.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 13, 2019
Strong FP&A team called a must before CFO can be strategic asset

CFOs are advised to hand day-to-day tasks to a strong controller and other FP&A team members so they can bring strategic view to the CEO.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 08, 2019
US employers to hold the line on pay raises at 3% in 2020

A new survey of large employers shows few discretionary bonuses slated for 2020, despite strong labor market.
By Jane Thier • Aug. 08, 2019
22% of finance staff don't plan to stay, study shows. Here's how to keep them

To retain your best accountants and other staff, let them try other things (even if they're not finance-related), a Gartner survey shows.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 07, 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. 07, 2019
Small companies drive big jump in IT outsourcing

34% of companies now outsource at least some of their network operations, compared with 30% last year, according to a report from Consumer Economics.
By Robert Freedman • Aug. 07, 2019
CVS CFO: Company will spend up to $350M to expand CarePass loyalty program

The pharmacy giant, which acquired Aetna in 2018, is investing in the home delivery sector to compete for Amazon customers.
By Jane Thier • Aug. 07, 2019
Fed commits to real-time payments system by 2024

The central bank looks to bring faster transactions to community bank customers and act as a safeguard in a marketplace already served by The Clearing House.
By Dan Ennis • Aug. 07, 2019
CFO not part of Amneal shake-up

Reeling from financial woes, Amneal is bringing back its founders as co-CEOs and letting other top executives go. However, CFO Branning will stay on.
By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 05, 2019