Goodwill impairment expected to rise, reverse course in 2022: Kroll

The anticipated increase in goodwill impairment this year comes after the pandemic and the subsequent economic recovery whipsawed levels in recent years, according to Kroll data. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 6, 2022

IPOs in Americas plummet 72% during first quarter: EY

High inflation, stock market turbulence and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted a slump in initial public offerings during the first quarter.

By Jim Tyson • April 5, 2022

CFO scenario planning is key as Biden pushes 28% corporate tax rate

“The advice we’re giving people is to watch what the Build Back Better morphs into in 2022 and see if there’s momentum to push through those tax changes,” said PwC's Ken Kuykendall. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 31, 2022

Surging inflation compelling small businesses to raise prices

Inflation is broad based – flaring in every sector – and will probably persist longer than initially expected, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said.

By Jim Tyson • March 29, 2022

Juicier 100% meals tax deduction may nudge CFOs back to expense reports

The temporary hike in the tax deduction companies can take on eligible business meal expenses could be a welcome bright spot for CFOs bracing for rising costs from road warriors returning to in-person meetings, experts say. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 29, 2022

Regulation, weak economy pose obstacles to SPACs: Deloitte

After booming last year, the SPAC market has fizzled so far in 2022, with the number and average value of deals falling.

By Jim Tyson • March 16, 2022

CFOs hold pay raises far below inflation despite war for talent

CFOs are spurring resignations by letting inflation far outpace wage gains. They can take steps to improve employee retention even as prices increase at the highest rate in four decades.

By Jim Tyson • March 11, 2022

Senators introduce bipartisan bill to avert LIBOR turmoil

The Senate and U.S. House are nearing alignment on legislation that would head off instability from financial contracts that fail to identify a new reference rate after LIBOR sunsets in 2023.

By Jim Tyson • March 7, 2022

Fed stimulus pullback on track despite Russian invasion, Powell says

The Federal Reserve will likely begin raising the main interest rate from a record low this month while mindful of the need to “add to financial stability, not to create uncertainty,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said.

By Jim Tyson • March 2, 2022

First-time biotech CFO strategizes for future with or without big pharma

Aristea Therapeutics' CFO Justin Thacker says the company has a $100 million cash runway that will take it into 2024. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Feb. 23, 2022

15% minimum global tax would harm US business: Senate Republicans

The global tax package now before the Senate may expose U.S. companies to a “top-up tax” and other levies not acknowledged by the Biden administration, Republican senators said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 22, 2022

Fast-tracked private letter rulings offer corporations respite from IRS delays

While the promise of a speedier program is a bright spot during a time of IRS backlogs, the PLR process is not an avenue that financial executives can use to make an end-run around unrelated delays, said Buck Buchanan, managing director in Grant Thornton’s national tax office.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Feb. 22, 2022

Investors warned against taking 'lottery ticket' approach to SPACs

Some SPACs with conflicting interests harm investors by bringing weak companies to the IPO market, the CFA Institute said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 18, 2022

Direct lending may take hit in credit crunch: S&P Global

Direct lending has boomed in the past decade but its resilience has yet to be tested in an extended credit crisis, S&P Global Ratings said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 16, 2022

IRS delays spell headaches for financial executives

Businesses are “facing an IRS that is underwater right now, given the backlog of paper returns,” said Garrett Watson, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Feb. 15, 2022

Default rate will rise this year, Moody's says

The default rate will increase but stay well below its pandemic-period high even though central banks in many countries are raising interest rates, Moody’s said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 15, 2022

Most CEOs expect inflation to persist, survey shows

Plans by the Federal Reserve to raise the benchmark interest rate probably will not quickly rein in the fastest price increases in four decades, most CEOs said in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 10, 2022

SPAC industry promotes myths in a 'deep fraud,' former SEC official says

Promoters of SPACs have upheld several "myths" to ensure steady income from a boom in the so-called blank-check companies, according to a former senior SEC official.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 2, 2022

Fewer companies plan to hold cash this quarter: survey

More companies plan to deploy cash this quarter compared with Q4. They intend to grow their businesses, pay down debt and improve employee hiring and retention.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 1, 2022

CFOs slow to upgrade cash tracking despite pandemic: Forrester

Aligning accounts payable and accounts receivable can reduce fraud, increase agility and spark profit-boosting insights. Yet few companies are seizing on the opportunity.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 31, 2022

Treasury doesn't have to lose out to FP&A on forecasting

The two teams bring complementary strengths that can be leveraged if they work together.

By Bob Stark • Jan. 28, 2022

Inflation will persist through 2023 even if pandemic fades: Conference Board

Federal Reserve efforts to curb inflation will probably collide against several inflationary forces, including reshoring of production and shortages of both workers and semiconductors.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 27, 2022

CFOs need to change how they discuss inflation: Gartner

Rising price pressures have pushed inflation toward the top of agenda items during earnings calls, prompting some needed changes in tactics by CFOs.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 26, 2022

CFOs 'managing blind' the rising pressure for ESG gains: Accenture

Companies lack the expertise and consistent metrics for satisfying growing investor demand for sustainable operations.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2022

CFOs to use debt issuance for M&A, refinancing in 2022: Moody's

Companies are in “savings mode” and well prepared for both M&A and riding out turbulence in financial markets, Moody’s said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 21, 2022