BizTaxBuzz: Why Aren't Tax Pros Embracing Document Management Systems?

March 19, 2010

A missing tax document can cost companies tens of thousands of dollars, yet only 16 percent of Business Finance 2009 Tax Survey respondents reported using a document management system for tax work, which would increase the accessibility and availability of tax data. What gives?

THE CFO EDGE: World-class Finance Departments More Effective Than Peers While Spending Less

March 19, 2010

World-class finance departments operate at almost half the annual cost of typical companies, yet they're far more effective, according to the Hackett Group's new Book of Numbers. Business Finance is speaking to the Hackett Group soon, so be on the lookout for more about high-performing finance departments on The CFO Edge blog.

isakowitz

Job Creation's Ground Zero

March 17, 2010

As CFO of the Department of Energy, Steve Isakowitz has $36 billion to spend to put America back to work. No one said that it was going to be easy.

THE CFO EDGE: Three Tricks for Dodging the CFO's Ax

March 15, 2010

Many companies are adopting a new low-cost finance model, which means financial professionals' jobs may be at risk. Here are three ways to show your CFO that you're a valuable resource.

THE CFO EDGE: DOE Challenge: Spend $36 Billion to Create Jobs

March 12, 2010

Department of Energy CFO Steve Isakowitz isn't constrained by a tight budget like many CFOs. Instead he's been given a unique challenge: he must spend billions of dollars quickly to create jobs.

BizTaxBuzz: Will a Junk Food Tax Help Fight Obesity?

March 11, 2010

Around the country, states are considering taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks and junk food. Would a tax actually improve people's health? Here are two conflicting reports.

UPS CFO Spies a Silver Lining

March 10, 2010

It has been almost a year since we last caught up with UPS CFO Kurt Kuehn and asked him to reflect on the remarkable challenges and opportunities that the recession has brought forth. Twelve months later, Kuehn has plenty to say concerning his organization’s new “ultimate flexible budget” and its “zero-based” tolerance for extra cost.

THE CFO EDGE: BNY Mellon's CFO Shares "Post-Lehman" Lessons

March 9, 2010

BNY Mellon Asset Management CFO Steve Lipiner provides a look at how the firm's finance organization operates and lessons he's learned over the past 18 months in this interview with Business Finance editor in chief Jack Sweeney.

BizTaxBuzz: Tax Break Only for "Family-friendly" Movies

March 9, 2010

Florida lawmaker Stephen Precourt has introduced a bill that offers a $75 million tax incentive package for companies that put out productions that are "family-friendly." Movies that portray "nontraditional family values" will not be eligible for the tax break.

BizTaxBuzz: Sales Tax Rate Highest in Almost Three Decades

March 8, 2010

Here's some worrying tax news: the average sales tax rate hit a 28-year high in 2009, according to corporate tax solutions provider Vertex, and it shows no sign of dropping. To top it off, Vertex found that tax authorities are levying more and more new sales and use taxes -- an average of 263 per year.