News
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.More financial executives are getting raises – and the raises are bigger
More U.S. financial executives say they’re getting raises. And the pay bumps are getting bigger – a sign that, some say, is proof the economy is turning around. Also, raises in the future may increasingly be tied to performance, research indicates.As role evolves, CFOs must brush up on communication skills and strategic thinking
Chief financial officers of multinational companies say their roles are evolving beyond the finance function. As a result, finance chiefs need to develop more skills centred on strategy and communication.Decision on lessee model clears way for lease accounting project’s final act
Accounting standard setters agreed Wednesday on a lessee accounting approach, setting the stage for a lease accounting exposure draft in the fourth quarter this year.M&A expected to increase, but economic uncertainty could delay deals
Mergers and acquisitions of small and midsize companies are expected to increase in the coming year, but financing and valuation issues could limit deal volume, a recent survey of M&A advisers indicates.Enhancing value through sustainability: Tips for the finance team
Finance professionals can expect to play a bigger role in sustainability reporting, says Stephen T. Starbuck, CPA, the Americas leader for climate change and sustainability services at Ernst & Young, who offered some tips for the finance team at the AICPA’s International Business Conference in Washington.The look ahead: US, G20 could focus on euro-zone recovery
The European crisis, and how the US stimulates its economy, could be a focal point of a two-day G20 summit, which starts Monday in Mexico. US President Barack Obama has been pushing European leaders to work to resolve the crisis, citing stimulus programmes that the US government used in 2009.Embrace your inner negotiator
Regardless of one’s job title, being a good negotiator is, at a minimum, a differentiating factor that can help with career advancement. For certain positions, it’s the key to survival. Many people struggle to find the right mix of incentive, pressure, diplomacy and charisma to pull off a negotiation.
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