News
Companies do poorly managing corruption risks in emerging markets
Emerging markets have great potential for rapid growth, but corruption can run rampant. Existing processes exist to identify and mitigate corruption risks, but fewer than 40% of companies doing business in countries most prone to corruption use them well in mergers and acquisitions, with third-party agents or when establishing new operations, research shows.One-to-One: Richard Solomons, Chief Executive, InterContinental Hotels Group
Charles Tilley, FCMA, CGMA, meets with Richard Solomons, the CFO-turned-chief executive of InterContinental Hotels Group, who offers insight on brands, people and delivery.Many companies unprepared for risks that go with sending employees to emerging markets
To establish footholds in emerging markets, companies are sending more and more employees overseas, but many of their global mobility teams are ill-prepared for the financial and compliance risks that accompany such deployments.Canadian chartered accountants, private businesses more optimistic about economy
Optimism about Canada’s economy is on the rise amongst executive chartered accountants. Nearly half (46%) expect staffing at their company to increase in the next year, up from 41% in the previous quarterly survey by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.Gender inequality stymies GDP growth, study finds
The study, which analysed data from 128 countries, quantifies the costs of gender inequality to a country’s economy and scores countries based on the effectiveness of their efforts to empower women.COSO shows how to put risk assessment into practice
The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) released a thought paper, Risk Assessment in Practice, designed to help organisations find the optimal risk-taking zone, which the paper refers to as the “sweet spot.”Manage fears without stifling innovation
Fear of making errors on the job was the most common workplace fear cited by workers in a recent survey. Experts say being averse to errors and mistakes is healthy, as long as fear of failure does not prevent workers from capitalizing on opportunities for innovation.Fiscal worries to persist regardless of who wins US election
US finance executives who are worried about the fiscal cliff and long-term federal government deficits are not optimistic that the upcoming election will improve business conditions.Finding the right talent is an issue for 59% of employers worldwide
The likelihood of employees changing jobs in the next six months continues to rise, and the skills of employees frequently do not match job requirements in emerging countries, a new survey shows.How to overcome finance transformation barriers
Cyclical reporting burdens are preventing finance teams from taking on a broader, strategic role. British Gas financial controller Chris Ling shares career insights on how finance professionals must overcome capacity, mandate and skills barriers in order to broaden their roles.Women job candidates prepare more for interviews than male job-seekers, UK survey shows
Interviews leave job-seekers in the UK at a loss for words. About two-thirds of job-seekers said their biggest fear before an interview was not knowing the answer to interview questions. Even with preparation, job-seekers still worried, according to a new survey.US Private Company Council chair favours holistic approach over differential standards for public, private companies
Billy Atkinson, the chair of the new Private Company Council, said he favours embracing differential accounting standards for private companies only after first exploring with FASB whether changes can be made to the standards to accommodate all companies.Fewer workplace absences, more sick workers, more trouble for employers
As average number of employee absences falls by almost a day, other workforce issues are taking hold globally. More workers are showing up to work ill, likely caused by concern over job security, research shows. The effect of “presenteeism” is a less-productive and more stressed workforce.IFRS Foundation report says US SEC’s concerns can be overcome
A report released by the IFRS Foundation staff examines the concerns expressed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff about IFRS adoption in a report in July.M&A tax efficiencies increasingly scrutinised by authorities
As global companies increase their focus on tax efficiencies in mergers and acquisitions, tax authorities are stepping up their scrutiny. In this risky landscape, companies need a coordinated strategy with respect to tax audits and disputes.New US Private Company Council’s first meeting set for December 6th
The new US Private Company Council (PCC) will hold its first public meeting December 6th at the offices of the US Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) in Norwalk, Conn.Too many Australian, New Zealand companies face corruption risk with “blissful ignorance”
A string of bribery scandals and stricter enforcement of foreign and domestic anti-corruption laws is slowly raising awareness among Australian and New Zealand companies doing business abroad that they are at risk. But many remain in total denial, according to a Deloitte survey.Top tips from the integrated reporting “journey”
Corporate reports should be driven by proactive integrated thinking and decision-making rather than compliance requirements – a change from today’s corporate reporting regimes that produce reams of reactive information with limited value, according to experts who gathered in Amsterdam for the one-year celebration of the IIRC’s Integrated Reporting Pilot Programme.Microsoft, HP report rise in cyber-attacks, offer advice on shoring up security
With the frequency and costs of cyber-attacks on the rise, organisations need to update and upgrade their IT security infrastructure and policies. What do movies and music have to do with that process? The article explores how costly free downloads can be.
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