Federated approach touted as best for digital transformation

Let IT build a centralized automation platform while operational teams build the specialized processes that link into it, an integration specialist says.

By Robert Freedman • June 23, 2021

Rev rec manager at hub of fraud ring, SEC says

The Securities and Exchange Commission used data analytics capabilities it launched last year to catch six people benefiting from insider information. 

By Robert Freedman • June 21, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Spend management innovation yields equity value

Spend management technology is about attracting talented staff, reducing compliance problems and scaling back-office operations in a way that creates value. 

By CFO Dive staff

Using flexible pricing models to keep transformation projects on track

CFOs that work with their technology providers on payment arrangements can help accelerate their organization's post-pandemic recovery. 

By Sameer Bhagwat and Raakesh Boyapati • June 18, 2021

Corporate tax staff working beyond capacity: survey

Technology can help close the capacity gap but many tax departments lack the time, budget and skills to deploy it effectively, a Thomson Reuters Institute survey found.   

By Jim Tyson • June 11, 2021

Scenario plan, but don't act, until tax changes clearer

Companies await a squeeze as U.S. and global tax priorities converge to force more tax payments through profit-shifting curbs, other changes. 

By Ted Knutson • June 11, 2021

Airbase raises $60M, aims for larger clients

Airbase plans to use the new capital to upgrade its products in a crowded expense management space.

By Vaidik Trivedi • June 9, 2021

AT&T, Estée Lauder, Salesforce CFOs on which pandemic changes to keep

Employees will return to the office, but CFOs want to retain the past year's cost-saving changes, panelists said this week at the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Network Summit.  

By Jane Thier • June 8, 2021

FTC scrutinizing subscription pricing model

Although the Federal Trade Commission is focused on consumer abuses, the business-to-business side of recurring revenue could be affected if rule changes result.

By Robert Freedman • June 4, 2021

5 CFO tips for limiting harm from inflation

Amid signs of rising inflation, economists and financial executives suggest ways that CFOs can buffer against the damage from unstable prices.

By Jim Tyson • June 2, 2021

Getting your working capital ratio right

Whether your ratio should be closer to 1.2 or 1.8 is less important than what your cash conversion cycle is telling you, cash management specialists say.   

By Ted Knutson • May 27, 2021

AI will yield biggest return in CFO spending during coming decade: Gartner

Spending on artificial intelligence will help CFOs achieve outperformance more than any other investment, Gartner predicts.

By Jim Tyson • May 26, 2021

How CFOs' digital conservatism hinders progress

When it comes to implementing digital technology, nearly three quarters of CFO respondents said their teams are too cautious, which can dramatically slow growth, Gartner research found.

By Jane Thier • May 26, 2021

Twitter looks to add e-commerce features, CFO says

"You should be able to click and buy something on Twitter," Ned Segal said at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Virtual Conference Tuesday. "We’ve come to appreciate that people do a lot of research on Twitter before they buy something."

By Jane Thier • May 26, 2021

New data analysis may help predict pandemic recovery: AstraZeneca FP&A head

The coronavirus sped up adoption of automation at AstraZeneca and generated datasets that may help forecast recovery, according to the company's FP&A director.

By Jim Tyson • May 25, 2021

Accounting, finance grads face different road to fill CFO shoes

New entrants to the business world are expected to bring data analytics, risk management, cybersecurity and business modeling to the table, say academic specialists. 

By Ted Knutson • May 22, 2021

Preparing for the CFO seat, with mentorship built in

The executive team at Herbalife Nutrition helped pave the way for Alex Amezquita’s finance leadership rise by giving him time to learn the ropes.  

By Robert Freedman • May 19, 2021

Up from the ashes: retailing CFOs get ready for a consumer rush

Retailing CFOs preparing for a "spring-loaded" consumer splurge provide insights for financial executives in industries less challenged by the coronavirus.

By Jim Tyson • May 18, 2021

Colonial hack a wake-up call to CFOs with legacy systems

Older systems leave finance and accounting operational data at risk of breach, security specialists say.

By Ted Knutson • May 14, 2021

Only 20% of CFOs can forecast revenue, earnings beyond a year: survey

Even after the pandemic shock, most CFOs forgo effective scenario planning and more than half lack the ability to forecast revenue and earnings beyond six months, according to a Prophix Software survey.

By Jim Tyson • May 11, 2021

Lack of automation preventing efficient financial close: CFO survey

Due to ineffective processes and technology, 51% of CFO respondents to Trintech's Global Financial Close Benchmark Report cited meeting deadlines and time pressures as their biggest challenges this year.

By Jane Thier • May 11, 2021

Up from the ashes: Restaurant CFOs prepare for boom

Profit-hungry restaurant CFOs blindsided by the pandemic get ready for robust economic growth, offering lessons for leaders in less-stressed industries.

By Jim Tyson • May 6, 2021

Leveraging cash flow's multiplier effect on valuation

Most finance tools are optimized for GAAP but they can be made more effective for increasing company value by enabling better cash management, finance leaders say. 

By Robert Freedman • May 3, 2021

Up from the ashes: How airline CFOs are preparing for the post-pandemic rebound

CFOs of airlines challenged by the pandemic are preparing for a rebound in demand, offering lessons for financial executives in less-stressed industries.

By Jim Tyson • April 26, 2021

Business spend management tools gain traction during the pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 impact, expense management software companies can expect 10.5% compound annual growth through 2024, research shows.

By Vaidik Trivedi • April 13, 2021

651 apps? How to get your SaaS stack in order

Software-as-a-Service applications help employees become more productive and innovative. But when unmanaged, too many applications can drain a technology budget and make collaboration difficult.

By Theresa O'Neil • April 8, 2021