News
At work, engagement is lacking; so is meaning
The global workforce is less than enthusiastic about work these days. Leaders hoping to improve levels of engagement should consider three steps, beginning with creating meaningful work, an expert on retention and rewards says. The engaged worker is more productive—and less likely to go to work elsewhere.Nine steps for effective risk oversight by corporate boards
Corporate boards can better prepare for their role in enterprise risk management oversight with a framework aimed specifically at them. A framework produced by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants describes a nine-step process for effective board oversight.Lawmakers reflect on Sarbanes-Oxley’s effect on corporate culture
Former US Sen. Paul Sarbanes and former US Rep. Michael Oxley say the regulations they sponsored and saw signed into law a decade ago are not perfect, but led to changes in the corporate culture in the United States and abroad.Global consultants identify top tax challenges for multinationals and offer advice
More scrutiny during audits, transfer-pricing issues and rapid changes in international tax legislation top the list of global tax challenges in a survey of multinational companies. A global consortium of consultants takes a look at the tax issues and offers advice.IASB to develop IFRS guidance for “micro-sized entities”
Very small companies are expected to receive IFRS financial reporting guidance tailored to their needs.US employers hiring managers from outside more often than promoting from within
Management job seekers in the accounting and finance fields in the US may need to get away from their current employers to get ahead in their careers.US releases model intergovernmental agreement to fight tax evasion
The US Treasury Department released a model intergovernmental agreement designed to implement the information-reporting and withholding-tax provisions in the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).IFRS constitution change formally splits IASB chair, foundation CEO roles
The IFRS Foundation is changing its constitution to reflect the separation of the roles of the foundation’s CEO and the chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).Execs battle skills gap in hiring despite high unemployment
Executives report difficulty finding qualified workers despite high jobless rates. Recruiting workers for positions as varied as engineers, accountants and tugboat workers is a problem. Hire-and-train employee development and new educational initiatives may provide solutions.Home-country Olympic boost for Great Britain? One model says yes
Before the Olympics began, PwC published an economic paper providing a benchmark medal count for each country, taking into account population, GDP, previous emphasis on sports and hometown advantage. Will the UK bring home more medals on its home turf? It’s possible, as China exceeded expectations in the 2008 Beijing Games.The look ahead: Central banks on three continents weigh monetary policies
Economists and investors will be keeping a close eye on the US Federal Open Market Committee.Global workforce less than enthusiastic about work
More than a third of the global workforce feels disengaged, with roughly the same percentage of workers believing that barriers at work keep them from excelling. Employees’ company loyalty hits a five-year low.Application of financial knowledge is critical, leadership report says
The CGMA is poised to take a broader role in financial decision-making if applied knowledge can be well-communicated, a new CGMA report says. Knowing the numbers and being able to predict a company’s financial future based on the numbers are key skills for those looking to advance to leadership roles.‘More than insignificant’ is key judgement in leases proposal
Accountants may have difficulty at times determining what constitutes “more than insignificant” consumption of a leased asset by a lessee under a proposed standard being jointly developed by the US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).Emerging market multinationals must grow leaders from within
Leadership teams at multinational companies based in rapid-growth markets need more international experience and a proper balance of global and local expertise, a new survey says.PCAOB to conduct joint audit inspections with Spain’s regulator
PCAOB adds another European Union regulator to list of joint inspections partners.IIRC drafts outline for standards of integrated reporting
The International Integrated Reporting Council has taken an important step toward guiding businesses to think in nonfinancial terms when issuing financial reports. The IIRC’s outline comes after an initial discussion paper on the reasons companies should consider social and environmental impact in addition to financial performance.Five ways – and one illustration – to improve your performance reviews
Ninety-four per cent of CFOs believe performance reviews are effective, but that sentiment does not trickle down to employees, according to an Accountemps survey. Nearly one-third of workers say reviews are ineffective. Accountemps provides more than data, adding tips for bosses to conduct more worthwhile reviews.Risky business
How do leading finance chiefs measure and tackle risk within their organisations? We quiz David Horan, CPA, CGMA, the CFO at Dealer Services Corporation; Atul Patel, group FD at IT security firm NCC Group; Jeff van der Eems, COO of United Biscuits; and Jackie Hunt, CFO at Standard Life.
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