A year of evolution: CFOs on 2021

A year of evolution: CFOs on 2021

COVID-19 has dominated this year’s headlines and affected lives and livelihoods around the world. It is changing the work of accounting and finance professionals and the organisations they serve in ways that will only be fully understood years from now.

As organisations head to the end of this year, how can they rebuild revenue streams in 2021? Should budgeting and forecasting approaches change? What are lessons from this year that can help organisations begin next year on steady footing? These are questions we sought to answer as we spoke to finance leaders from London to Melbourne.

We have put together these insights in a Q&A format featuring finance thought leaders in consumer goods and retail, banking, oil and gas, manufacturing, logistics, nonprofit, and professional services sectors. These interviews will be published each week until the end of December.

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Return-to-office — but not for everybody

Employers enforcing return-to-office mandates could lose talent and are less likely to retain top performers.

Return to office or retain flexibility? The latest on the debate

Amid a trend of more in-office work, a series of surveys offer perspective on the state of the workplace and reveal how employees feel about their place in the debate.

Return-to-office mandates: Considerations for employers

If employers want staff to return to the office, they need to consider what they’re willing to offer in return.

How to create an effective hybrid workplace

Hybrid offices, with their need for honed communication skills, are a part of the workplace evolution, the latest research by AICPA & CIMA explains.

Some employees take a hard-line approach to seeking flexible work

To diminish concerns about their wellbeing, workers in a global survey want flexibility in terms of when and where they do their jobs.

Tips to avoid loneliness when working from home

Getting outside, using the phone, and making careful use of messaging apps can stave off feelings of isolation when working remotely.

Pent-up demand promises record tourist season for southern Europe

The shift towards holidays becoming a greater consumer priority comes in spite of travel industry strikes and extreme weather events.

Large US companies adopt cautious tone on China recovery

Domestic demand has not fully rebounded in China after COVID-19 restrictions, with US companies not anticipating recovery until the second half of 2023.

Women in leadership: Separating optimism from reality

Women remain significantly underrepresented in executive roles, and gender equity in mid-level leadership has not recovered since the start of the pandemic.

Out with the old: Remote work’s borderless opportunities

For organisations looking to tap into global talent markets, the remote work model is proving to be a competitive advantage, a study from late 2022 shows.

China’s exports rise unexpectedly, but economists warn of weakness ahead

Exports from China were up 14.8% year-on-year in March with imports falling by 1.4% — a lower fall than the 5% forecasted decline.

How organisations can be more relatable and minimise burnout risk

With employees feeling less energised, organisations need to adapt in a number of ways to keep a thriving workforce, a global study shows.

Analysis: Airlines face hurdles to cashing in on China reopening

Global airlines’ capacity to and from China could reach 25% of 2019 levels by April, but widebody planes may be prioritised for the lucrative trans-Atlantic route.

Analysis: China’s 2023 economic outlook

China faces uncertainty in 2023; COVID-19 remains difficult, and experts and business leaders expect the dampening effects of the credit market to persist.

Steps to take when a remote job turns out to be more office-based

Fix the problem by communicating, agreeing work expectations, and presenting an evidence-based business case to your boss, while considering backup options.