News
Private and public companies report rise in audit fees in 2011
Total external audit fees paid by companies rose in 2011, according to a poll of more than 270 executives.The look ahead: Will Spain get enough to bail out banks?
Spain, one of five European countries that has sought international financial assistance, may find out by July 9th the terms of a deal to bail out its beleaguered banks.Banks re-examine operating models to stimulate growth
While enduring a difficult economy and increased regulation, banking executives are re-examining their operating models in hopes of stimulating growth.How to use ERM to manage cloud risks
Management should begin control-related activities before an organisation contracts with a cloud-computing service provider (CSP), according to guidance provided in a recently released thought paper.Employers worry about top employees taking their talent elsewhere
As the economy improves, and the competition for top-notch talent increases, employers are expressing concern about retaining that talent – and the cost of losing and replacing talent, a survey shows. Employers think that retention strategies help limit losses.US Supreme Court upholds health-care law
The US Supreme Court on Thursday declared a mandate requiring US citizens and legal residents to maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage, to be a permissible exercise of Congress’s taxing powers under the Constitution.US releases new FAQs for Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program, announces other rules
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the federal tax agency, said that it has collected more than $5 billion in its offshore voluntary disclosure programmes, the third of which was announced in January this year.Goodbye, 9 to 5: Employers embrace technology-aided flexibility
A substantial majority of employers are willing to allow workers to show up late at the office because bosses understand that employees are working away from their desks with the help of mobile technology, a recent survey shows.The finance chief’s role in managing products through a downturn
Product cycles have long adapted to new economic conditions. So too is the role of finance team leaders, who are increasingly charged with helping the broader management team understand where the company is creating value in the product life cycle.Seven steps to “transpersonal” leadership
Want to be a leader and not just the boss? Listening and learning are two behaviours that will help you progress as a leader, according to a new report. Read the seven ways to improve leadership skills.UK CFOs less optimistic about revenue growth
Revenue expectations are down, and talk of cuts is up among CFOs of private-equity-backed businesses in the UK. The euro-zone debt crisis also appears to be sapping expectations for initial public offerings—and not just in Europe.The look ahead: European debt crisis unfolds. Will it dampen US jobs outlook?
European leaders, who continue to try to solve the euro zone’s debt problems, are expected to visit Cyprus, the latest country to seek a bailout. That will happen as GDP figures are due out for the euro zone. Meanwhile, the US will see if global economic jitters are causing employers to clamp down on hiring.US board requires state and local governments to report unfunded pension liabilities
Unfunded pension liabilities will begin appearing on the balance sheets of US state and local governments that provide defined benefit pensions under provisions of two standards approved by the US Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).What to expect from the US Supreme Court ruling on health-care reform
Some of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act—ones that have already taken effect as part of the 2010 health reform legislation—could be here to stay. Depending on how the justices rule, employers could be in for bigger changes starting in 2014.SEC requires listing standards for compensation committees, advisers
A rule approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission directs national securities exchanges to implement listing standards for public company boards of directors and compensation advisers. The rule, required by the Dodd-Frank Act, addresses the independence of compensation committee members and advisers.The look ahead: EU summit, US GDP and audit firm rotation
European leaders are expected to consider proposals on bank capital requirements, deposit-guarantee programmes and how to handle cross-border bank failures, during a summit in Brussels.The art of transparency
Three senior finance professionals talked with CGMA Magazine about what transparency means to them, and how they aim to improve it at their organisations.Employees resist social media in building workplace culture
Business leaders value social media in building workplace culture far more than their employees do, new research shows. Disconnects between executives and workers on the importance of financial performance and compensation—and the communication of core values—also were evident.Shared services centres top global outsourcing efforts
Business and IT providers say centralising functions in shared service centres is the most popular outsourcing approach. They also see an increase in the use of cloud computing.
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