News
US audit firm rotation alternatives emerge in hearings
A mandatory request-for-proposal concept and a financial statement insurance model were among the alternatives to mandatory audit firm rotation proposed during the second of two days of hearings in Washington on enhancing the independence and professional scepticism of auditors.The look ahead: European economic sentiment and convergence in Brazil and Malaysia
In the week ahead, the inaugural CGMA Global Economic Survey will show CGMAs’ views on economic conditions. The EU will release data on the money supply and economic sentiment. And accounting standards convergence talks will be held in Brazil and Malaysia.Despite exposure to corruption risk, due diligence on third-party business partners remains low
All of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement actions brought last year by the Department of Justice and the SEC involved alleged bribes by companies’ third-party business partners, Deloitte researchers found. Nonetheless, a poll shows that corporate due diligence and risk assessments on third-party business partners remain low.Some sectors, countries expect stronger M&A activity
Low interest rates and large cash reserves will prompt more companies to go through with mergers and acquisitions this year. The deals are expected to expand companies’ geographical reach.Letter from… Brussels: The ripple effects of the euro-zone crisis
In a dispatch from Brussels, Tony Barber of the "Financial Times" examines fault lines radiating from the euro zone’s sovereign debt crisis. Barber looks at who’s benefitting and who’s hurting.Three ways to obtain meaningful data that support quick decisions
Manufacturers often aren’t prepared to take advantage of available data to quickly implement good, quick decisions. Antiquated systems often are a barrier to efficiency. Three key considerations can accelerate savvy decision-making.Three views on integrated reporting
Could integrated reporting be the way the world’s large corporations communicate with investors in the future? We asked an investor, a preparer and an advocate for their takes on integrated reporting. What follows are comments from Farha-Joyce Haboucha, managing director and director for Socially Responsive Investments, Rockefeller & Co.The look ahead: Reports on industry, housing and debates over audit firm rotation
The housing industry, a broad barometer of the US economy, has shown some signs of movement following a lethargic 2011. But will sales, prices, new homes and optimism continue to increase? New data will offer clues.Business productivity a key issue for Canada
A long-established trend of limited progress in Canadian business-sector productivity threatens the nation’s standard of living, research shows. Canada has implemented tax incentives for businesses to stoke activity, and a significant quarterly gain in productivity at the end of 2011 brought at least temporary relief to the trend.Integrated reporting: The advocate’s view
Could integrated reporting be the way the world’s large corporations communicate with investors in the future? We asked an investor, a preparer and an advocate for their takes on integrated reporting. What follows are comments from Jeremy Osborn, ACMA, CGMA, former project manager, International Integrated Reporting Council.Integrated reporting: The preparer’s view
Could integrated reporting be the way the world’s large corporations communicate with investors in the future? We asked an investor, a preparer and an advocate for their takes on integrated reporting. What follows are comments from Richard Scurr, head of group finance operations, HSBC.How to make a corporate board more effective
Corporate governance is in the spotlight as never before, but most boards are not as effective as they should be. A new CGMA report offers recommendations and tools to help improve board performance.Security gets top spot in technology priority survey
Security—both of computer networks and information—tops the technology agenda of US management accountants in 2012, according to a survey released by the American Institute of CPAs.US-Korea free trade agreement opens markets, creates new competitors
The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which will take effect Thursday, is among the most significant trade agreements for the US in nearly 20 years. US automakers and farmers and South Korean LED lighting, car parts and textile manufacturers are among those expected to benefit from the duty-free exchange of goods.As new iPad debuts, reports shed light on surging mobile market
As Apple unveiled its new iPad to much fanfare last week, recent reports quietly illustrated how quickly the tablet market has grown, how fast mobile data traffic is expected to climb over the next few years – and how many companies consider mobile technologies for employees to be their most important IT investment.Global CFOs brace for turbulent year ahead
CFO optimism remains low worldwide, dampening expectations for 2012 in many countries. CFOs in Europe and the Middle East feel the most pessimistic as they brace for fallout from sovereign debt troubles in the euro zone, social upheaval in the Middle East and dwindling global demand, surveys showed. CFOs in the US, meanwhile, expect some revenue growth.Finance executives’ outlook on US economy improving, survey shows
Optimism for the US economy among CPA financial executives in the United States rose in the first quarter of 2012 over the previous quarter, according to results of the latest “AICPA Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey”. Despite the improved outlook, though, just 14% of CPA decision-makers said they expect to hire in the short term.The look ahead: US consumer confidence, Europe outlook, and ERM muster
Four upcoming reports will offer glimpses of how much the global economic slowdown and the continued euro-zone debt troubles are affecting economies in EU countries.Finance pros in UK report increasing responsibility for IT decisions
Seventy-seven percent of senior finance professionals participating in a recent survey said they have gained greater responsibility for IT purchasing decisions in the last two years.
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