Market-Value Accounting Debate Roars On

March 5, 2008

The on-going debate about the pros and cons of market-value accounting rules got louder last week after American International Group (AIG) reported a Q4 loss of $5.29 billion on the heels of an $11.12 billion pre-tax write-down on the value of mortgage-related investments.

Planning for the Next Recession

February 1, 2008

Your company stands a better chance of gaining ground on the competition during a downturn than when times are good. Preparing for the bad times is a strategic imperative, especially for your finance organization.

For Most Companies, A Speedy Close Remains Elusive

May 1, 2008

CFOs have been trying for years to chop back the time they need to complete the financial closing and reporting cycle, but by and large the results have been disappointing.

Forecasting: Spreadsheets Still Rule

April 11, 2008

A reliable view of the future is an indispensable strategic tool, but few companies have fully automated their forecasting processes.

Gasping Over the Last Mile

April 3, 2008

Companies' financial close and external reporting processes are time-consuming, poorly controlled, and error-prone. New technologies and emerging best practices can help.

Boom, Bust, & Boom Again: The Making of a CFO

April 1, 2008

Few CFOs have blazed a career path as varied and as rich with experiences as Dave Martin, CFO of Dimensional Fund Advisors. Here Martin recounts the hard lessons that come only from navigating finance organizations through the ups and downs of economic cycles.

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Connecting Forecasting to the Close

March 4, 2008

Glen Hafler, national practice director, finance transformation, Parson Consulting , discusses best practices to optimize budgeting and forecasting processes.

Finance Lessons from the U.S. Coast Guard

March 1, 2008

As the person charged with overseeing the transaction processing for the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Larry White says his role is really about moving resources between activities and missions.

What’s On Audit Committees’ Plate in 2008

February 20, 2008

Companies’ internal audit functions may be stretched thin, but helping out the CFO is still a priority.

Toward Better Reporting: A Talk With Robert Pozen

February 12, 2008

The SEC’s Advisory Committee on Improvements to Financial Reporting is scheduled to issue a report detailing its recommendations later this month. Committee chair Robert Pozen met with Business Finance to discuss the panel’s current thinking.

What’s Wrong With Forecasting — And How to Fix It

February 6, 2008

Companies still struggle with earnings and sales projections, but determined action can yield big improvements in the forecasting process.