Year: 2012
The look ahead: Is the US economy just taking a breather?
A proposed new standard on revenue recognition will be the topic of a public round table meeting next week in Japan. Hosted by FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board, the meeting will provide stakeholders the opportunity to participate in dialogue with the boards about the proposed, converged standard on revenue from contracts with customers.Confidence in economy rises amongst CGMAs, new survey shows
CGMAs have become a little more confident about current global economic conditions, according to the inaugural CGMA Global Economic Outlook Index, a new quarterly snapshot of AICPA and CIMA members.US and OECD separately address transfer pricing issues
The US Treasury Department’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a reorganisation of its advance pricing agreement (APA), mutual agreement and competent authority programmes into one new programme.Changing legislation, regulation cause shift in CFO roles
Business executives worldwide are changing their compliance processes in response to evolving legislation and regulation. As a result, CFOs are extending their reach beyond the finance function.Shortage of talent top concern among employers worldwide
Finding the right talent is a big problem for companies worldwide, despite easy access to a large pool of educated people and opportunities to outsource, surveys suggest. The problem is most acute in knowledge industries and heavy industry. See how companies say they’re addressing the challenge.Survey helps CFOs compare and assess their finance functions
As a CFO, would you like to know how your peers feel about IFRS or what parts of the finance and accounting functions they outsource? “Benchmarking the Finance Function 2012”, a recently released research report, has some answers.Companies revamp risk management after tsunami, euro-zone turmoil, Arab uprisings
Feeling increasingly exposed to unpredictable events, companies worldwide updated their risk management strategy in 2011, a new survey finds. The changes frequently aim to challenge conventional thinking.US audit firm rotation alternatives emerge in hearings
A mandatory request-for-proposal concept and a financial statement insurance model were among the alternatives to mandatory audit firm rotation proposed during the second of two days of hearings in Washington on enhancing the independence and professional scepticism of auditors.Despite exposure to corruption risk, due diligence on third-party business partners remains low
All of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement actions brought last year by the Department of Justice and the SEC involved alleged bribes by companies’ third-party business partners, Deloitte researchers found. Nonetheless, a poll shows that corporate due diligence and risk assessments on third-party business partners remain low.The look ahead: European economic sentiment and convergence in Brazil and Malaysia
In the week ahead, the inaugural CGMA Global Economic Survey will show CGMAs’ views on economic conditions. The EU will release data on the money supply and economic sentiment. And accounting standards convergence talks will be held in Brazil and Malaysia.Letter from… Brussels: The ripple effects of the euro-zone crisis
In a dispatch from Brussels, Tony Barber of the "Financial Times" examines fault lines radiating from the euro zone’s sovereign debt crisis. Barber looks at who’s benefitting and who’s hurting.Some sectors, countries expect stronger M&A activity
Low interest rates and large cash reserves will prompt more companies to go through with mergers and acquisitions this year. The deals are expected to expand companies’ geographical reach.Three ways to obtain meaningful data that support quick decisions
Manufacturers often aren’t prepared to take advantage of available data to quickly implement good, quick decisions. Antiquated systems often are a barrier to efficiency. Three key considerations can accelerate savvy decision-making.Integrated reporting: The preparer’s view
Could integrated reporting be the way the world’s large corporations communicate with investors in the future? We asked an investor, a preparer and an advocate for their takes on integrated reporting. What follows are comments from Richard Scurr, head of group finance operations, HSBC.Integrated reporting: The advocate’s view
Could integrated reporting be the way the world’s large corporations communicate with investors in the future? We asked an investor, a preparer and an advocate for their takes on integrated reporting. What follows are comments from Jeremy Osborn, ACMA, CGMA, former project manager, International Integrated Reporting Council.Business productivity a key issue for Canada
A long-established trend of limited progress in Canadian business-sector productivity threatens the nation’s standard of living, research shows. Canada has implemented tax incentives for businesses to stoke activity, and a significant quarterly gain in productivity at the end of 2011 brought at least temporary relief to the trend.The look ahead: Reports on industry, housing and debates over audit firm rotation
The housing industry, a broad barometer of the US economy, has shown some signs of movement following a lethargic 2011. But will sales, prices, new homes and optimism continue to increase? New data will offer clues.Three views on integrated reporting
Could integrated reporting be the way the world’s large corporations communicate with investors in the future? We asked an investor, a preparer and an advocate for their takes on integrated reporting. What follows are comments from Farha-Joyce Haboucha, managing director and director for Socially Responsive Investments, Rockefeller & Co.Security gets top spot in technology priority survey
Security—both of computer networks and information—tops the technology agenda of US management accountants in 2012, according to a survey released by the American Institute of CPAs.
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