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

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

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

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

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 7, 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 6, 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 6, 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 5, 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 4, 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

Ford Motor CFO stresses 'maximizing liquidity' amid Q2's $5B operating loss

CFO Timothy Stone announced a loss figure twice as large as analysts expected on the auto company's latest earnings call, but believes the company has the cash it needs for 2020.

By Jane Thier • April 30, 2020

How a fintech CFO preserves long-term ambition through cost-cutting amid pandemic

As the coronavirus pandemic brings fast-growing startup culture to its knees, fintech CFO Catherine Birkett advises balancing long-term ambition with near-term KPIs.

By Jane Thier • April 29, 2020

CFOs cautioned on post-lockdown tort risk

Plaintiff attorneys face a high bar to show someone contracted COVID-19 after workspaces reopen, but defending against their claims is expensive.

By Robert Freedman • April 29, 2020

Survey: 42% of CFOs lack contingency plans for a 2nd COVID-19 wave

A second wave could mean another drop in customer demand that CFOs' revenue and profit models won't capture, a Gartner Finance research vice president said.

By Jane Thier • April 28, 2020

Switching FP&A focus from growth to survival

How companies are charting their financial path when many of the old assumptions have been thrown out the door.

By Robert Freedman • April 28, 2020

How to use venture debt during the economic downturn

Start discussing funding with your lender sooner rather than later; the downturn has slowed the process down.

By Robert Freedman • April 27, 2020

6 Guidelines for CFO crisis leadership

Of the entire c-suite, CFOs are best-positioned to guide their companies through the pandemic, CFO Leadership Council President Jack McCullough said.

By Jane Thier • April 25, 2020

In crisis, not enough for processes to be on cloud; they need to be unified

Stay-at-home mandates have shown how crucial cloud systems are for maintaining one's finance and accounting operations. But using a variety of systems will hinder your agility. 

By John O'Rourke • April 24, 2020

Tax expert: Maximize operating losses to get most from stimulus

Carrying back losses under the federal government's pandemic-response rule changes can get your company a bigger tax refund, according to BDO partner Randy Schwartzman. 

By Robert Freedman • April 23, 2020

Chipotle CFO: 'Our worst days have passed'

By revamping its business around online advertisements and free delivery, Chipotle has weathered the pandemic better than many restaurant chains. But what will its dining experience look like next year?

By Jane Thier • April 23, 2020

Negotiation, not escape clause, called best way to get pandemic rent concessions

CFOs might have lease terms they can trade for temporary rent help, or even improve their lease terms long-term, specialists say. 

By Robert Freedman • April 22, 2020