PE CFOs urged to resist unrealistic acquisition bargains

The pandemic adds an unfamiliar layer to dealmaking, making it imperative for private equity finance pros to avoid shortcuts as they consider deals.

By Ted Knutson • June 15, 2020

CFO brings repeat-business mindset, honed at Amazon Prime, to cancer-testing startup

Laboratory for Advanced Medicine finance chief Aarif Nakhooda said customer experience is as important for colon cancer testing as it is for streaming online music or videos.

By Robert Freedman • June 14, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Compensation: solving the cost-talent puzzle

In today’s strong labor market, CFOs leery of raising wages find creative ways to find and retain key employees.

By CFO Dive staff

CFOs encouraged to look at corporate venture capital as path to growth

Conditions today make it a good time for companies to buy parts of start-ups, an Ernst & Young white paper says.  

By Ted Knutson • June 14, 2020

Nokia adds new CFO to keep up in 5G race

Marco Wirén will start as CFO in September, alongside a new CEO and board chairwoman. The c-suite retooling is part of the telecom giant's effort to supply operators with fifth-generation mobile technology.

By Jane Thier • June 11, 2020

Scenario planning helped School of Rock go virtual in 12 days

Just before mandatory shutdowns disrupted its business model, CFO John Cappadona built School of Rock's FP&A function.

By Robert Freedman • June 11, 2020

Survey: CFO compensation rose 3.6% last year

Salary, bonuses, and long-term incentive plans will likely decrease this year because of the economic slowdown, a compensation advisory report anticipates.

By Robert Freedman • June 10, 2020

Fed set to launch Main Street Lending Program for loans up to $300M

Large and flexible loans will be available as the Fed gets into the business of direct lending to help companies retool as stay-at-home-mandates phase out.

By Robert Freedman • June 9, 2020

CFO in the Know: Bright spots for biopharma IPOs, but COVID-19 still lurks

The pandemic has helped the atmosphere for biopharma IPOs by changing the focus of drugs from the downside of their pricing to the benefits they offer of better diagnostics and potential cures.

By Ted Knutson • June 8, 2020

How to improve operating leverage without impeding growth

Tech can help keep operating costs down as a percentage of profits, but first, it helps to differentiate which expenses should, and shouldn't, grow with revenue.  

By Robert Freedman • June 8, 2020

CFOs positioned to lead supply chain retooling as economic slowdown abates

It’s not enough to find one or two cheaper suppliers. Global disruptions show the need for an integrated overhaul of supply chains, a specialist in the field says.

By Jane Thier • June 4, 2020

Senate approves PPP's loosened payroll rule, spending period

Despite unanimous consent, some senators still had reservations. Unlike the current program, the latest bill doesn't appear to give partial loan forgiveness if a recipient uses less than the payroll threshold, said Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME.

By Dan Ennis • June 4, 2020

For SaaS CFO, success is seeing everything through FP&A lens

Computational functions are best left to software systems, allowing finance staff to focus on the meaning behind the numbers, tech CFO John Bonney says.

By Robert Freedman • June 3, 2020

Fed's TALF program opens this month to loosen credit markets

The first subscription round opens June 17, signaling the start of the government's effort to attract investors to securities backed by strategically targeted assets.

By Robert Freedman • June 2, 2020

Sec. 363 bankruptcy sales may yield higher prices than Chapter 11

The process is less familiar than Chapter 11 but can result in quicker sales and more proceeds to secured creditors.

By Robert Freedman • June 1, 2020

Fast CFO action equipped residential builder to survive downturn

Putting land deals on hiatus, improving cash visibility and understanding buyer concerns has helped the finance chief of Meritage Homes keep the company on an ambitious growth track.  

By Robert Freedman • May 31, 2020

Using real-time data to set contract worker pay

As shutdowns lift, companies are relying heavily on expensive contract workers without knowing what other companies are paying.

By Jesse Levin • May 27, 2020

Insurers propose pandemic assistance plan

Federal money, not business interruption insurance, is the appropriate response to a pandemic, property and casualty carriers say. 

By Robert Freedman • May 26, 2020

As going-concern opinions rise, so too could debt covenant defaults

Audits that question the likelihood of a company's survival during the downturn could inadvertently cause a breach in credit terms.

By Robert Freedman • May 21, 2020

CFOs urged to employ blend-and-extend occupancy strategy

As stay-at-home mandates lift, companies that can keep employees at home are in a good position to negotiate lower rents on downsized space.

By Robert Freedman • May 20, 2020

CFOs urged to buy back debt if it is trading below par value

Credit market dislocations make now a potentially good time to deleverage balance sheets.

By Robert Freedman • May 18, 2020

Growing value by stewarding company reputation

CFOs who take a hands-on approach to managing their company’s reputational value send market signals that lead to improved equity and debt pricing. 

By Nir Kossovsky • May 18, 2020

Tech CFOs who challenge status quo can help navigate economic downturn

An early experience showed veteran finance chief John Theler that executives don’t have as much access to insight as they sometimes appear to.

By Robert Freedman • May 17, 2020

Sony CFO: 'We're concerned this might continue for a long time'

The company reported an 86% plunge in quarterly net profit this year, but its CFO said, even amid operating losses, "with a high degree of financial discipline," it can still manage an effective balance sheet.

By Jane Thier • May 14, 2020

Small-business specialist sees coronavirus crisis as way to help customers, retool financially

The CFO of payroll software provider Gusto sees the downturn as an opportunity to reevaluate costs, vendor relations and investment choices.

By Robert Freedman • May 13, 2020

CFO collaboration with CIO is crucial amid COVID-19

The CFO is adept at measuring costs, managing the balance sheet and navigating murky waters. But determining capabilities and staying ahead of tech trends requires partnership with the CIO.

By Tony Tricarichi • May 13, 2020