News
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.CFOs increasingly in driver’s seat on sustainability
Boards of directors increasingly are turning to CFOs to be the executives who are accountable for companies’ sustainability strategy, a new survey shows. The buy-in from the people who hold the purse strings could lead to more operationalizing of sustainability measures.CFO optimism in India declines in the first half of 2012
CFOs started 2012 more upbeat, but sentiment shifted as the domestic economic and political conditions deteriorated. Lack of political direction toward economic reform was the top concern.New tool aids in evaluation of external auditors
With interactions between audit committees and external auditors a focus of a steady stream of news recently, a new tool has been developed to assist audit committees in annual evaluations of external auditors.Why efficiency is becoming top of mind in China
China’s slowing productivity growth is weighing down economic growth in the world’s second largest economy. Political leaders are addressing the problem in the current five-year plan, and the policy changes are affecting how companies will do business in China.Private companies turn to corporate governance to protect slim margins
Private company business owners are turning to public company-style corporate governance strategies to protect their slim margins in the wake of the financial crisis. And unlike public company executives, private company owners are able to control costs by implementing just the policies that make sense for their businesses.
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