Unions lose clout even amid high-profile organizing gains

The wages of workers unaffiliated with a union have risen faster in recent years than those of their unionized counterparts.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 20, 2023

SMEs fall behind on addressing climate change

A readiness gap is emerging between small and large companies in terms of their responses to climate change risks.

By Elizabeth Flood • Jan. 20, 2023

SEC aims to set climate risk, cybersecurity rules before May

The agency, laying out an ambitious agenda, aims in early 2023 to complete several new regulations, many of them focused on increasing disclosures for investors.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 17, 2023

‘Scope creep’ challenging audit committees: CAQ

Audit committees are taking on more responsibilities as the SEC writes several rules requiring more detailed corporate disclosure.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 13, 2023

M&A spurred share price gains during Q4: WTW

Five trends in deal-making will likely unfold in 2023, including a focus on purchases less than $1 billion and on “friend-shoring” to reduce geopolitical risks to supply chains, WTW said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 11, 2023

Small business optimism falls, recession expected

Owners of small businesses ranked inflation as their top challenge, “lamenting” rising costs that have compelled them to increase prices, the NFIB found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 10, 2023

Profit estimates slump for Q4: FactSet

Earnings forecasts for U.S. companies fell, FactSet said, after the Fed’s aggressive effort to curb inflation increased borrowing costs and dimmed prospects for economic growth.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 9, 2023

Walgreens may have ‘cried too much’ about theft, CFO says

Walgreens may reconsider its security approach as shrinkage stabilizes, CFO James Kehoe said during the company’s first quarter 2023 earnings call.  

By Grace Noto • Jan. 9, 2023

Audit partners see economic challenges in 2023 as new risks emerge, CAQ survey shows

The second edition of the biannual survey of audit partners carried out by the CAQ shows corporations are taking action against rising inflation, labor shortages and supply chain disruptions.

Jan. 9, 2023

4 CFO trends to watch in 2023

Fed efforts to curb inflation, an imbalance in the demand and supply of workers and clarification of accounting standards are among the CFO trends this year.

By Jim Tyson , Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 6, 2023

SEC charges ex-CFO at gold mining SPAC with $5M fraud

The embezzlement allegations follow the collapse of the SPAC market in 2022 and sharper SEC scrutiny of the so-called blank check companies.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 4, 2023

CFOs in 2023 plan to keep pay raises below inflation: Fed

CFOs are pessimistic about the economic outlook but predict slightly higher growth next year than Federal Reserve estimates.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 21, 2022

IPO proceeds plunge 94%: EY

Investors sizing up prospects in the sluggish IPO market in 2023 will favor companies with “resilient” business models, EY said.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 20, 2022

Shifting retirement plan climate calls for CFO attention: WTW

As resources to fund retirement plans are expected to grow scarcer next year, companies must be nimble and share a clear vision when shaping retirement plan offerings.

By Elizabeth Flood • Dec. 20, 2022

CFOs log shortest tenure in C-suite: study

CFOs have the shortest tenures of their fellow C-suiters, a recent study found, with turnover set to expand as financial leaders face persistent headwinds.

By Grace Noto • Dec. 20, 2022

Fed may cut rates in mid-2023: Fannie Mae

The U.S. economy will likely enter a mild recession during the first quarter after a slump in manufacturing and consumer spending, according to Fannie Mae economists.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 19, 2022

Executive pay linked more to ESG progress: WTW

Investor pressure has prompted many large U.S. companies this year to begin rewarding executives for meeting sustainability targets.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 16, 2022

CFOs see their firms’ prospects darken in 4Q: Deloitte

CFO pessimism around their own companies’ financial prospects touched a level not seen since the height of the pandemic, a Deloitte survey found.

By Grace Noto • Dec. 16, 2022

Changes make it easier for SEC to go after insider trading

Executives and officers will be in a much tighter box when it comes to when they can trade in their company stock under modified 10b5-1 rules.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 16, 2022

PCAOB gains breakthrough access to Chinese audit firms

The PCAOB’s push for more transparency in China-based companies will enable CFOs and auditors who heavily rely on Chinese firms to better understand their partners’ operations.   

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Dec. 15, 2022

Fed raises main rate by half point, signals higher level in 2023

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that recent progress in reducing inflation is not enough to forestall increases in borrowing costs in 2023.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 14, 2022

Trump case spells benefits’ tax perils

Underreporting “fringe benefits” has long been on the IRS’ radar but there appears to be a shift toward holding companies more accountable for tax reporting.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Dec. 14, 2022

Inflation slows, validating Fed plans for half point rate hike

Fresh data show that the Fed is making progress in its fight against inflation and may pause its policy tightening early next year.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 13, 2022

DOJ, SEC charge Sam Bankman-Fried with defrauding investors

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested Monday night in the Bahamas and charged Tuesday with eight criminal counts including wire fraud.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Dec. 13, 2022

Shoddy ESG data stymies 35% of senior executives: Deloitte

CFOs have redoubled efforts to measure sustainability as the SEC completes a rule requiring disclosure of climate risks.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 12, 2022