Trading platform equips SaaS companies to sell subscriptions to investors

L.A.-based start-up Pipe says it provides software firms with an alternative to equity and debt by treating annualized customer contracts as tradable assets.

By Robert Freedman • June 30, 2020

How COVID-19 is changing conversations about going concern

CFOs should expect more — and more targeted — questions as auditors try to get a picture of how well their organization is positioned to survive the downturn. 

By Bob Dohrer • June 30, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital transformation, one smart step at a time

As pricing pressures tighten margins and technologies like artificial intelligence evolve, finance chiefs are more closely scrutinizing the cost and returns of the tech tools they implement.

By CFO Dive staff

The Agile CFO: How finance teams can lead the way through change

An Agile Framework for business planning and 3 process-led best practices empower CFOs for change.

By Darrell Cox, CFO at Vena Solutions • June 30, 2020

Companies turn to convertible bonds to raise cash

The pandemic has led to a surge in use of the hybrid security, but it comes with risk. 

By Ted Knutson • June 29, 2020

Companies face higher costs after dismissing auditor's tax services

If the dismissal is only for appearances, it's an expensive move, researchers say.

By Robert Freedman • June 29, 2020

Converting fixed costs to scalable expenses

Stay-at-home mandates have exposed the costs of maintaining fixed assets while they sit idle.

By Robert Freedman • June 26, 2020

Verizon CFO welcomed external advice for pandemic scenario planning

When COVID-19 hit, Matt Ellis consulted outside experts to help ensure his FP&A team's assumptions about going forward were realistic. 

By Robert Freedman • June 25, 2020

Revenue-based financing offers money to grow without dilution, covenants

As an alternative to equity infusion or institutional loans, it "is designed around the concept that, as a company grows, it can afford to pay more," said Decathlon Capital Partners'  Wayne Cantwell.

By Robert Freedman • June 24, 2020

When should you revisit your pricing strategy?

Tom Fencl, CFO of Pricefx, believes a CFO's price strategy can make or break a business. 

By Jane Thier • June 23, 2020

CFOs can access extra cash in move to new lease accounting rules

FASB is delaying the move to ASC 842 but, if you need money, the transition could provide it in some of the lease terms.   

By Robert Freedman • June 22, 2020

AllCloud CFO: ASC 606 a path to recurring revenue model

Finance chief Jody Cire found a way to smooth volatile revenue recognition at a previous company by switching to a ratable accounting method. 

By Robert Freedman • June 20, 2020

When the CFO departs, who steps up?

Every company needs an established talent pipeline to fill the gap when its CFO leaves. But new research from CFO Dive finds that the role — and the way it is filled — is evolving. 

By Jane Thier • June 18, 2020

Debt a strategic option of increasing importance for start-ups

The key to making debt work is to use it tactically, otherwise you risk losing its advantage over equity, say venture capital specialists.  

By Robert Freedman • June 17, 2020

5 transfer pricing actions to consider during COVID-19

If your intercompany pricing policies are based on normally functioning markets, you could be faced with tax inefficiencies and distortion in how you allocate profits or losses.

By Barry Freeman and Selena Schneider • June 16, 2020

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

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