Strategy & operations

CFOs positioned to lead supply chain retooling as economic slowdown abates

It’s not enough to find one or two cheaper suppliers. Global disruptions show the need for an integrated overhaul of supply chains, a specialist in the field says.

By Jane Thier • June 04, 2020

Senate approves PPP's loosened payroll rule, spending period

Despite unanimous consent, some senators still had reservations. Unlike the current program, the latest bill doesn't appear to give partial loan forgiveness if a recipient uses less than the payroll threshold, said Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME.

By Dan Ennis • June 04, 2020

For SaaS CFO, success is seeing everything through FP&A lens

Computational functions are best left to software systems, allowing finance staff to focus on the meaning behind the numbers, tech CFO John Bonney says.

By Robert Freedman • June 03, 2020

Fed's TALF program opens this month to loosen credit markets

The first subscription round opens June 17, signaling the start of the government's effort to attract investors to securities backed by strategically targeted assets.

By Robert Freedman • June 02, 2020

Sec. 363 bankruptcy sales may yield higher prices than Chapter 11

The process is less familiar than Chapter 11 but can result in quicker sales and more proceeds to secured creditors.

By Robert Freedman • June 01, 2020

Fast CFO action equipped residential builder to survive downturn

Putting land deals on hiatus, improving cash visibility and understanding buyer concerns has helped the finance chief of Meritage Homes keep the company on an ambitious growth track.  

By Robert Freedman • May 31, 2020

Opinion

Using real-time data to set contract worker pay

As shutdowns lift, companies are relying heavily on expensive contract workers without knowing what other companies are paying.

By Jesse Levin • May 27, 2020

Insurers propose pandemic assistance plan

Federal money, not business interruption insurance, is the appropriate response to a pandemic, property and casualty carriers say. 

By Robert Freedman • May 26, 2020

As going-concern opinions rise, so too could debt covenant defaults

Audits that question the likelihood of a company's survival during the downturn could inadvertently cause a breach in credit terms.

By Robert Freedman • May 21, 2020

CFOs urged to employ blend-and-extend occupancy strategy

As stay-at-home mandates lift, companies that can keep employees at home are in a good position to negotiate lower rents on downsized space.

By Robert Freedman • May 20, 2020

CFOs urged to buy back debt if it is trading below par value

Credit market dislocations make now a potentially good time to deleverage balance sheets.

By Robert Freedman • May 18, 2020

Opinion

Growing value by stewarding company reputation

CFOs who take a hands-on approach to managing their company’s reputational value send market signals that lead to improved equity and debt pricing. 

By Nir Kossovsky • May 18, 2020

Tech CFOs who challenge status quo can help navigate economic downturn

An early experience showed veteran finance chief John Theler that executives don’t have as much access to insight as they sometimes appear to.

By Robert Freedman • May 17, 2020

Sony CFO: 'We're concerned this might continue for a long time'

The company reported an 86% plunge in quarterly net profit this year, but its CFO said, even amid operating losses, "with a high degree of financial discipline," it can still manage an effective balance sheet.

By Jane Thier • May 14, 2020

Small-business specialist sees coronavirus crisis as way to help customers, retool financially

The CFO of payroll software provider Gusto sees the downturn as an opportunity to reevaluate costs, vendor relations and investment choices.

By Robert Freedman • May 13, 2020

Opinion

CFO collaboration with CIO is crucial amid COVID-19

The CFO is adept at measuring costs, managing the balance sheet and navigating murky waters. But determining capabilities and staying ahead of tech trends requires partnership with the CIO.

By Tony Tricarichi • May 13, 2020

Survey: COVID-19 ratcheting up CFO duties in operations, strategy

The slowdown has accelerated the trend of CFOs assuming broader and deeper responsibilities outside of traditional financial oversight, a Korn Ferry survey found.

By Ted Knutson • May 13, 2020

Q&A

CFO in the Know: Are CFOs ready to go with the EU's medical device regulations?

Requiring fewer applications to submit for approval, the new process could ultimately cost companies less.

By Ed McCarthy • May 12, 2020

Wages holding back repatriation of foreign profits, study finds

The drop in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% is unlikely to lead to a boom in repatriation of foreign profits by U.S. corporations. 

By Robert Freedman • May 11, 2020

Gusto took steps to control its financial destiny, CFO says

Facing devastation among its small-business clients, the SaaS-based payroll company cut costs despite its healthy balance sheet.  

By Robert Freedman • May 07, 2020

Study: COVID-19 cost cuts may damage CFOs' long-term growth prospects

As the coronavirus pandemic lingers, CFOs who prioritize long-term growth over short-term cost cuts help their companies prevail relative to their peers, a longitudinal study from Gartner Finance found.

By Jane Thier • May 06, 2020

CFO's challenge: Balancing fast growth with controls

As data governance start-up PeerNova prepares to resume expansion after the shutdown, its CFO brings hard-won lessons to head off its accounting problems.

By Robert Freedman • May 06, 2020

As transactions move online, handling fraud, friction become key

Too much fraud protection means too few sales. CFOs need to decide what balance they're willing to accept as e-commerce increases. 

By Robert Freedman • May 05, 2020

Restaurants call on insurers to pay business interruption claims

Lawmakers and lawyers are getting involved as insurers say COVID-19 isn't covered, while Main Street businesses say they're counting on the proceeds to keep them afloat.  

By Robert Freedman • May 04, 2020

Goodwill impairment testing during COVID-19 times

Economic uncertainty is forcing finance chiefs to rethink the impairment testing process.

By Suzanne Northington • April 30, 2020