News
Why you’re never safe from more work – even after hours
Just because it’s midnight doesn’t mean your boss expects you to stop working. More than a third of employees report getting work-related emails after work hours.Obama administration postpones employer penalty that is a key provision of US health reform
Large employers in the United States that fail to provide minimum health coverage for employees will not be subject to the shared-responsibility penalty until 2015 after the US Treasury Department announced that it would delay certain provisions of 2010’s health-care reform legislation.US securities regulator’s initiatives target fraud in financial reporting, auditing
Fraudulent financial reporting and auditing are among the targets of three new Division of Enforcement initiatives the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced in its efforts to detect and investigate fraud and misconduct that harm investors.CFOs say soft skills are needed, but many aren’t offering training in them
CFOs say poor interpersonal skills are the top reason for an employee’s failure to advance in the company. But finance chiefs are far more likely to offer training in more technical categories — accounting or finance, and information technology — than in soft skills, according to a new survey.North American CFOs feeling good, but not about hiring
Optimism about the continent’s economy is on the rise, but companies continue to project low hiring levels and have reduced expectations for profits and sales, according to a quarterly Deloitte survey.US FASB proposes updated standard for insurance contracts
In an effort to improve guidance, the US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) proposed an updated standard for the financial reporting of all insurance contracts, not just those written by insurance companies.How high-performing companies plan to globalise the finance function
Finance teams at large multinational companies can expect more and increasingly sophisticated tasks to come their way. The majority of those teams will have to perform those tasks with the same or fewer resources.US standard-setter issues proposal on going-concern disclosures
FASB issued a proposal designed to improve disclosures of uncertainties related to an organisation’s ability to continue as a going concern.Ten ways to stay focused in a troubled company
Working for a troubled company or in a dying industry needn’t be all bad. The challenge is recognizing the opportunities within, while keeping an eye on the exit.15 policies for sound not-for-profit governance
Not-for-profits often are reluctant or unable to devote sufficient time and resources to governance procedures and policies because of the demands of mission-critical work. But good governance can be the foundation that saves the mission from fraud or jeopardy.How to drive engagement as turnover concerns mount
As the global economy shows signs of growth, a new survey predicts a significant increase in employee turnover. With retention a concern, understanding what motivates workers’ commitment and loyalty is essential for employers.IASB exposes revisions to insurance contract standard for comments
The International Accounting Standards Board published a revised exposure draft of proposals meant to improve the accounting for insurance contracts.Four steps to identify future CFO talent
Many US companies still haven’t identified future CFO candidates, a survey by executive staffing firm Robert Half Management Resources suggests. To better prepare for succession, companies should follow four steps.Swiss Parliament rejects bill to allow banks to divulge information to US
The lower house of the Swiss parliament voted 123–63 against debating a bill that would have created a legal basis for Swiss banks to resolve tax evasion disputes with the United States.All eyes on influential Fed chairman, whoever that may be
The chairman of the US Federal Reserve has considerable influence over the US economy, according to a recent survey of CGMA designation holders in the United States.AICPA committee disagrees with U.S. standard-setter’s credit impairment proposal
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC) expressed significant objections to the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB’s) financial instruments impairment proposal.G8 leaders agree to greater tax transparency
Leaders of the G8 countries agreed to steps to improve tax transparency at their summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday. The countries also agreed, in a separate declaration, that “[t]ax authorities across the world should automatically share information to fight the scourge of tax evasion.”Firms turn to finance for CEO posts
Britain’s largest companies are increasingly turning to chief executives with a background in finance, according to Robert Half’s annual FTSE 100 CEO Tracker.CFO pay rises, but subjective bonuses rankle finance chiefs
CFOs are dissatisfied with the amount of bonuses awarded subjectively, according to the AICPA/Arizona State University 2013 CFO Incentives and Compensation survey.
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