FASB expected to look at goodwill, expense reporting this year

The two issues could prove contentious for the accounting standards organization. 

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 4, 2021

China's Luckin Coffee falsified sales; hit with $180M SEC fine

The company misstated earnings and revenue to suggest it was achieving rapid growth and increased profitability when it wasn't, the agency says in its settlement agreement. 

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 17, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

CFO best practices in the evolving generative AI era

As the initial frenzy around the launch of generative artificial intelligence subsides, a new GenAI era appears to be taking shape.

By CFO Dive staff

Capitalize talent, ESG values, academic says

There is a plausible way to measure internally generated intangibles under GAAP, according to Professor Marvin Weiss.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 16, 2020

SEC's cooperation credit an olive branch that can come with thorns

Clarity would help companies weigh the cost of cooperation against the benefit they might, or might not, receive in return, enforcement specialists say.

By Ted Knutson • Dec. 15, 2020

SEC fines GE $200M, disclosure failures of cost estimate changes at core of penalty

The company never disclosed some profits from its power business stemmed from changes to cost estimates, not increased business, the SEC alleges. 

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 10, 2020

SaaS metrics are often misreported

As non-GAAP measures, these metrics might be based on variables other companies don’t share, but they can be made more accurate, says SaaStr head Jason Lemkin.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 7, 2020

Cheesecake Factory misled on COVID-19 disclosures, SEC says

The company told the SEC it was operating sustainably, but only had 16 weeks of cash available.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 5, 2020

2020 MIT Sloan CFO Virtual Summit: Full coverage

Dec. 4, 2020

Sustainability reporting nearly universal among large companies, survey finds

Although some reporting standards are widely used, there isn’t a single framework for companies to ensure accurate measurement and communication of their environmental impact, a KPMG survey found. 

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 2, 2020

Salesforce CFO to depart amid landmark Slack deal

In an earnings release Tuesday, CEO Marc Benioff announced Chief Legal Officer Amy Weaver will step in as the next finance chief. 

By Jane Thier • Dec. 2, 2020

How to best manage ESG disclosures

Environmental, social and governance reporting will likely become mandatory for public companies, specialists say. CFOs should figure out best practices now.

By Ted Knutson • Nov. 24, 2020

Most important part of financial planning? Communication.

"This is when we need to show what leadership is all about," Judy Romano, CFO of commercial and technology for InterContinental Hotels Group, said on a virtual MIT Sloan CFO Summit panel Friday. 

By Jane Thier • Nov. 23, 2020

GM CFO: Sales recovering 'faster than expected'

In its third quarter earnings release, interim CFO John Stapleton said the company has earned $4.1 billion, up 64% from $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2019.

By Jane Thier • Nov. 5, 2020

Violators pay SEC a record $4.7B in judgments

The agency brought hundreds of enforcement actions against companies and individuals in the fiscal year just closed, despite the pandemic. 

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 4, 2020

Wirecard CFO released from jail amid accounting fraud investigation

Burkhard Ley was released on bail Monday after German prosecutors found most of the fraudulent fintech's crimes to have been committed following his departure from the company in 2017.

By Jane Thier • Nov. 4, 2020

Sizing up ESG data and reporting quality

How do you move from talking the talk on environmental, social and governance goals to walking the walk on measuring and reporting?

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 3, 2020

CFO compensation less than half of CEO pay, study finds

Across industries, middle market CFOs have seen up to a 50% base pay reduction amid COVID-19, according to a BDO study. 

By Jane Thier • Nov. 1, 2020

Study: Stock compensation reporting may be misleading

Companies that report performance-based stock compensation as a target may give investors unhelpful information, according to University of Missouri assistant professor, Andrea Pawliczek. 

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 29, 2020

CFO KPI Close-up: Return on invested capital

"ROIC is a vastly superior way to measure long-term success than EBITDA," Jack McCullough of CFO Leadership Council says. So why don't more CFOs track it?

By Jane Thier • Oct. 27, 2020

PwC releases ESG reporting app

Finance leaders are under pressure to measure their company's performance on environmental, social and governance values. 

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 25, 2020

SEC charges Andeavor for inadequate controls

The company failed to show a stock buyback complied with a policy prohibiting repurchases while it was in possession of material non-public information.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 20, 2020

SEC eases auditor independence rules

Audit firms are less likely to get in trouble for working with affiliated companies.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 19, 2020

ESG to transform CFO role

Now that the Big Four have agreed on a set of metrics, the path forward is becoming clearer for standardized corporate ESG reporting.

By Ted Jackson • Oct. 18, 2020

CFO KPI Close-up

CFOs all rely on a standard set of financial metrics, but certain KPIs enable them to outperform the competition.

Oct. 13, 2020

Efforts to increase IPOs through deregulation gets thumbs down from SEC commissioner

IPOs have been declining for years, but "reflexively blaming overregulation" is not the answer, SEC Commissioner Allison Herren Lee said. 

By Ted Knutson • Oct. 12, 2020