News
Entrepreneur brings attitude to economic discussion
When panellists at the American Institute of CPAs’ spring Council meeting in Washington were asked how to fix the economy, business leaders and politicians talked about familiar themes: balancing the federal budget and avoiding deficit spending. They said complex regulations are crippling some businesses.CFOs tell Bank of America they expect to increase hiring in 2012
CFOs doing business with Bank of America’s commercial lending arm have become more optimistic about the US economy and their companies’ futures. But their optimism is limited by a host of concerns.Manufacturing’s future includes localised supply chains, talent shortages
Manufacturers face operational and recruiting challenges that are leading to localised supply chains, investment in energy-efficient processes and new-worker training initiatives, according to research by the World Economic Forum.The look ahead: European leaders to discuss bank bonuses
European Union lawmakers are poised to negotiate details of a proposed law that would ban banks from paying bonuses stemming from profits tied to cheap European Central Bank loans as part of a broader overhaul of proposed banking rules. And in the US, a long-awaited decision is expected on the handling of private company accounting standards.Big-data analytics – where next?
Big-data analytics is the hot topic of 2012, with many predicting that the future success of organisations – big or small, public or private – will depend on their ability to capture, analyse and gain insights from it.Lack of experience flavours investors’ perceptions of Africa
Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Many of its countries have less corruption, are easier to do business with, and are more democratic than several fast-developing nations in Europe and Asia. But dated perceptions still keep many investors away, according to an Ernst & Young report.Corporate treasurers face cash-management, structural hurdles, report says
Although the financial crisis has strengthened the role of corporate treasurers, they face cash management difficulties while using outdated technology and are experiencing difficulty recruiting talented employees, according to a new survey.Under increased scrutiny, many private equity execs plan to add finance jobs, survey shows
Private equity executives say they are facing increased scrutiny from limited partners, according to a new survey. That’s good news for finance and accounting professionals. More than one-third of private equity execs plan to increase their staffs in 2012.Economic optimism continues to rise among US manufacturers
More US manufacturers expect to hire more, profit more and invest more in the year ahead. Meanwhile, they’re less worried about barriers to growth such as taxes and new regulations. Also, while some manufacturers remain uncertain about the global economy, others are showing gains in sales abroad.To prevent fraud, offer a hotline, train employees on fraud prevention, report says
The typical business loses 5% of its revenue to fraud, a global Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) report estimates. See what sectors are most vulnerable to fraud risk, what types of schemes are most common and most costly, and get tips for detecting and preventing fraud.Formal controls at not-for-profits require careful implementation, CGMA study shows
Although formal performance measurement and management controls can help not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) thrive in a competitive environment, they must be implemented carefully, a new report jointly sponsored by the AICPA and CIMA shows.The Look Ahead: US-Colombia trade gets a boost, G8 leaders meet outside Washington
A trade deal between the US and Colombia – which is expected to boost US GDP by $2.5 billion – takes effect on Tuesday. As part of the deal, Colombia agreed to eliminate measures that prevented firms from hiring US professionals.Five reasons many jobs lost in the recession may never come back
Technology and globalisation have changed the nature of work in advanced economies, and the result is that labour markets there are not likely to return to pre-recession levels of employment in the years to come.Economic uncertainty triggers more caution among mid-size companies
Midsize U.S. companies, which generate about 40% of U.S. GDP, have become less optimistic about the economy. This sentiment is reflected in their hiring and expansion plans and their plans to invest in technology.Economists: China’s economy needs an overhaul
China’s economy seems to have avoided a “hard landing,” but the slowing of the economic boom reveals problems that China must battle to build a modern, high-income society.Investors at CAQ workshop have eyes on non-GAAP disclosures
Investors in a group of about 35 stakeholders taking part in a Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) workshop on the evolving role of the auditor said they are placing a significant focus on non-GAAP disclosures when evaluating their investment decisions.Cutting costs in supply-chain management
The finance department has a key role to play in areas such as capturing good financial data and setting up strong relations with partners in the supply chain.The Look Ahead: UK Industrial data, China and US consumer data could tell of a shifting economic landscape
British economic indicators will take on new scrutiny in the weeks ahead, following recent news that the UK fell back into recession during the first three months of this year—the first double dip there since the 1970s.Five things you must learn about the new M&A landscape
Accountants and other finance professionals are increasingly taking on more strategic and risk-management responsibilities, particularly when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. Find out what skills you should learn for the new M&A landscape.
Read the latest FM digital edition, exclusively for CIMA members and AICPA members who hold the CGMA designation.