A majority of Canadian accounting executives are optimistic about the prospects of their own businesses, but that sentiment is countered by concern over the US economic outlook. A survey by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) shows that the US economy is seen as the biggest challenge to Canada’s growth in the next 12 months.
Companies doing business in Europe should prepare for a “lost decade,” new research suggests. Facing stagnant economic growth, low consumer demand and limited access to credit, companies must be prudent but they can’t miss out on opportunities.
About half of the UK’s largest public companies have not complied with the country’s Corporate Governance Code. Some companies are showing more interest in certain aspects of governance, according to Grant Thornton research, but some are showing a “weariness or lack of commitment toward the concept of transparency.”
The global IT governance group ISACA is drawing attention to three trends it says will “pose major challenges to businesses” in 2013. Cybersecurity threats are growing more sophisticated; interest in private or hybrid clouds, rather than public clouds, is expected to increase; and employees and consumers are growing more concerned about data privacy.
Companies generally regarded as the world’s best have at least one thing in common: CEOs who are no stranger to their organisation. Hay Group research says the top 20 companies’ CEOs have averaged 25 years of service at their organisation.
Average pay has increased by nearly 10% in the past year for directors of public companies, according to an analysis by BDO USA. Board retainers and fees make up about three-fourths of directors’ total compensation. Directors make the most, on average, in the technology sector ($177,249).
The Internal Revenue Service, the US tax agency, issued final regulations designed to prevent corporations from avoiding the application of Sec. 304 to transactions in which they repatriate earnings from foreign subsidiaries.
Being prepared to learn might be the most important attribute an employee can bring to a new job. Sixty percent of managers and 44% of workers said the greatest challenge when starting a new job is learning new processes and procedures. Read here for tips that can make your transition smooth.
Managers who panic, play favourites and make inappropriate jokes not surprisingly undermine employee motivation and wellbeing, according to a new report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Just as damaging, the report says, are so-called “under-the-radar” managers, who do little to develop their direct reports.
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) plans to complete a new conceptual framework by September 2015.