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

Explore the Trendline➔

CFO best practices in the evolving generative AI era

As the initial frenzy around the launch of generative artificial intelligence subsides, a new GenAI era appears to be taking shape.

By CFO Dive staff

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

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

A pandemic winner, Tupperware may add services, industrial products

The 74-year-old company developed its digital platform just in time to keep its independent salesforce in business despite social distancing restrictions.  

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 5, 2020

CFO KPI Close-up: Customer retention

Retaining customers begins with not giving them an excuse to leave, especially during times of economic uncertainty, three customer retention experts say. 

By Jane Thier • Nov. 2, 2020

COVID-19 driving rise in loan portability

Between the pandemic, election, international trade and low interest rates, it’s a perfect storm for debt to carry with a company to a new owner as a way to speed sales.

By Ted Knutson • Nov. 2, 2020

Finance leadership means owning blame, CFO says

Hire people smarter than you, give them credit and take responsibility when things go wrong, because you only succeed when they do, Bluecore CFO Michelle McComb says. 

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 1, 2020

Chart your exit right from the start

Waiting to start planning your team's exit strategy until you're showing year-on-year growth, or any benchmark, limits your options.

By Chris Shipferling • Oct. 29, 2020

xP&A: The logical evolution of FP&A

Champions of extended analysis say its planning looks at more — and more types — of data, leading to better-aligned organizational decisions.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 28, 2020

Matching loan type to business stage

Whether you take out a growth capital term loan, asset-based loan, revolving line of credit or traditional venture debt, extending your runway depends on where your company sits on its growth curve.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 27, 2020

Pool of big-company CFOs shrinking

Finance leaders with the right experience want to move into the CEO seat rather than make a lateral move to another company of comparable size.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 26, 2020

4 cost management mistakes for CFOs to avoid in 2021

Under pressure to digitize and capitalize on growth opportunities, while reducing expenses, CFOs are likely to make decisions that can jeopardize their organization’s recovery, Gartner Finance says.

By Jane Thier • Oct. 26, 2020

Shifting to revenue growth from margin improvement

CFO Sachin Patel helped healthcare data analytics company Apixio drive a strategy focused on lifetime customer value. 

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 22, 2020