CFO broke mold when he took Snap public in 2017

Drew Vollero, now CFO of security company Allied Universal, had no IPO or tech experience, but he knew how to build a finance function.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 3, 2020

COVID-19 has led to better business insights, CFOs say

The pandemic’s upheaval forced finance teams to better understand what their customers, suppliers and employees want, according to CFOs at last month's MIT Sloan CFO virtual summit.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 1, 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

Noom CFO: Company pursues 'greater predictability' in forecasting, business planning

"We have made no decisions about an IPO, [but] we’re on the precipice of growing into a more mature, significant company," Michael Noonan says.

By Jane Thier • Dec. 1, 2020

Coca-Cola CFO prefers 'scenario management' to 'scenario planning'

Leadership starts with understanding the consumer and anticipating future trends, John Murphy said. Over time, Coca-Cola has moved from "essentially a single-brand company to what we call a 'total beverage company.'"

By Jane Thier • Dec. 1, 2020

Pandemic expanded CFO path to CEO, survey finds

Companies hiring CEOs during the pandemic are mostly tapping CEOs from other companies, but they're also increasingly hiring CFOs for the top spot, a survey of 965 global companies found.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 26, 2020

How to best manage ESG disclosures

Environmental, social and governance reporting will likely become mandatory for public companies, specialists say. CFOs should figure out best practices now.

By Ted Knutson • Nov. 24, 2020

How Gilead finally spent its money

This year, the biotech spent about $27 billion trying to become a leader in cancer research. But Gilead's CFO, Andrew Dickinson, said there's still work to be done.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 24, 2020

Zoom, Grubhub took risks to help customers during pandemic

Few companies benefited from the pandemic more than these two, so finance decisions were made to help hard-hit customers, company CFOs said at the MIT Sloan CFO virtual summit.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 23, 2020

Most important part of financial planning? Communication.

"This is when we need to show what leadership is all about," Judy Romano, CFO of commercial and technology for InterContinental Hotels Group, said on a virtual MIT Sloan CFO Summit panel Friday. 

By Jane Thier • Nov. 23, 2020

Don't rush into public equity if you're succeeding privately, CFOs say

Remaining private brings benefits if you have the right partners, finance leaders say.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 22, 2020

How can CFOs become the deputy CEO?

Panelists at the MIT Sloan CFO Virtual Summit Thursday shared tactics and strategies for assuming the right-hand person role for their respective CEOs.

By Jane Thier • Nov. 19, 2020

Keep board meetings focused on strategy, avoid riffs, specialists say

Panelists at the MIT Sloan CFO virtual summit this week recommend getting financial information to members early to make board meetings more productive.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 19, 2020

Private jet charter, Peloton bike among reimbursed pandemic-related expenses

A $7,600 facelift didn’t make the cut, but $1,250 for coffee mugs did, an Emburse compilation found. 

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 19, 2020

How CFOs adjust storytelling to audiences' 'altitude'

Finance leaders need to know number details, but also how to tell the company’s high-level story, Avalara CFO Ross Tennenbaum said.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 18, 2020

A third of companies reducing real estate footprint, survey finds

Pandemic-hit companies, particularly in restaurant and retail businesses, are also trying to renegotiate leases for more favorable terms on exits and duration, according to a LeaseQuery survey.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 17, 2020

Zero-based budgeting makes a comeback, but it's different this time

With help from cloud platforms and AI-assisted technology, going back to the start each budget cycle is easier and leads to more accurate cuts. 

By Ted Knutson • Nov. 16, 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

Data analytics, RPA top list of 2021 digital priorities, survey finds

In Gartner's most recent survey, all five of CFO's top priorities heading into 2021 are concerned with getting tech right.

By Jane Thier • Nov. 15, 2020

Offering free software boosts revenue, survey finds

A big funnel of users means higher conversions, assuming the product is good, according to an OpenView Venture Partners survey.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 12, 2020

Using KPIs to ensure product market fit

Metrics, not investor interest, are the only way to know whether a SaaS business has staying power, a top Silicon Valley capital provider says.  

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 11, 2020

Should your company consider a SPAC?

Special purpose acquisition companies are becoming more popular as companies and investors see the benefits of going public without the time commitment and cost of a regular IPO.

By Ed McCarthy • Nov. 10, 2020

CFO KPI Close-up: Lessons learned so far

With the help of a dozen finance leaders, CFO Dive has examined churn, cash flow, talent retention, ROIC and customer retention. What KPIs still need further attention? 

By Jane Thier • Nov. 9, 2020

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association CFO: Board seats give wide view, require perspective

Don’t lose sight of which hat you’re wearing when you’re part of other companies’ leadership, finance chief Bob Kolodgy says.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 9, 2020

2 powerful assets to help CFOs succeed: Data and machine learning

CFOs have a great opportunity to use data and machine learning to generate deeper insights and drive business growth.

Nov. 9, 2020

3 must-have CFO skills: Operating finance, strategy and communications

Corporate finance experience is declining, while investment banking is rising, as a path to the CFO seat, CFO Dive data shows. Public accounting remains the gold standard.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 8, 2020