SEC says Oracle bribed officials, imposes $23M penalty

Since the violations came to light, Oracle has taken several remedial steps, including strengthening its global compliance, risk and control functions, the SEC said.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 27, 2022

US faces risk of long stagflation struggle: Moody’s

The odds of recession will rise if inflation fails to steadily fall toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, according to Moody’s Analytics.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 26, 2022

5 steps to reinforce the reputation of your tax function

How tax practitioners can restore and reinforce the often overlooked tax department.

Sept. 26, 2022

Boeing to pay $200M to settle SEC charges regarding 737 MAX

Boeing is showing signs of recovery from the 737 MAX debacle, with top executives saying that the plane maker this year will achieve positive free cash flow on an annual basis for the first time since 2018.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 23, 2022

Fed redoubles inflation fight, raising main rate 75 basis points

Fed officials raised their projections for inflation and unemployment while marking down their forecasts for economic growth.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 21, 2022

Fed tightening deepens housing recession

Record home prices, mounting construction costs and a Fed-spurred rise in mortgage rates have worsened a downturn in housing, homebuilders said.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 20, 2022

Most CFOs say controllership not ready for digital future

Financial executives said controllers are not fully equipped to take on a bigger role in strategic planning, according to a survey by Deloitte and the Institute of Management Accountants.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 19, 2022

Recession likely from Q4 through Q1 2023, Conference Board says

Fed tightening, stubbornly high inflation and a slump in consumer spending will probably trigger a downturn during the fourth quarter, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 16, 2022

Nearly one third of employers balk at pay transparency: study

With more states requiring pay disclosures, companies and their financial executives need to develop a consistent national strategy, said Mariann Madden of WTW. 

By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 16, 2022

30% of CFOs see economic downturn triggering layoffs: study

CFOs expect potential layoffs, workforce retention challenges and move to implement cost-cutting measures as an economic downturn becomes more likely.

By Grace Noto • Sept. 15, 2022

Producer prices show inflation spreading

Rising costs for transportation and other services suggest that inflation is gaining strength across the economy.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 14, 2022

High inflation persists, bolstering case for forceful Fed tightening

Price gains during August for rent and other services exceeded forecasts, eroding hopes that the Federal Reserve will slow its campaign to curb demand.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 13, 2022

Recession likely in 2023, Fitch says

Cuts to estimates for earnings growth underscore the growing risk of a U.S. downturn next year, Fitch Ratings said.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 12, 2022

ESG ratings firms show ‘significant shortcomings’: study

ESG ratings providers, while gaining from rising demand for their assessments, are unreliable in gauging risk and return, Stanford University researchers said.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 9, 2022

Bankruptcies fall during first half of 2022 yet risks loom

Factors such as rising borrowing costs may fuel a rise in bankruptcy filings after a decline during the first half of 2022, Cornerstone Research said.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 7, 2022

Q3 earnings estimates cut ‘more than average’: FactSet

S&P 500 companies for the second quarter reported their lowest growth in earnings on an annual basis since the fourth quarter of 2020, FactSet said. 

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 6, 2022

PCAOB finds audit flaws on fraud risk, SPACs

During the coming inspection period, the PCAOB’s so-called Target Team will focus on “risks related to climate change” that influence companies’ financial statements.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 2, 2022

SEC pay-vs-performance rule called a chance to shape company story

The disclosures give executives a chance to put into perspective the strategy they’re following to increase long-term shareholder value.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 1, 2022

Workers gain clout during pandemic: Gallup

CFOs face pressure to raise wages as the number of job vacancies far exceeds the number of unemployed people looking for work.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 31, 2022

Fed’s Williams sees inflation falling to 2.5% to 3% next year

The Federal Reserve must interpret several “crosscurrents” in the economy as it fulfills its pledge to curb inflation to 2%, according to the president of the New York Fed.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 30, 2022

CFOs more worried about inflation than recession: Deloitte

Nearly three quarters of CFOs are more concerned about persistent inflation than a recession, Deloitte’s third-quarter survey found.

By Elizabeth Flood • Aug. 30, 2022

SEC boosts incentives for whistleblowers

The SEC awarded a record $564 million to 108 whistleblowers last year and receives dozens of tips of wrongdoing each day.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 29, 2022

Six CFO tips for defanging inflation: Deloitte

While most CFOs have never faced the high price pressures of today, they can take steps to blunt the harm to their companies from inflation, Deloitte said.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 26, 2022

U.S. companies face ‘growing risk’ to profit margins: Fitch

Many CFOs during the second quarter were apparently able to pass on to consumers the rising cost of labor and materials. That may not last, Fitch Ratings said.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 25, 2022

M&A sparked by ESG surges 111% in H1 2022

Pressure for sustainability disclosure is fueling dealmaking targeted at providers of ESG software and services, Hampleton Partners said.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 24, 2022