Tech firms face tax bite after Supreme Court lets IRS allocation rule stand

Facebook, others were hoping the top court would end an IRS practice that forces more stock compensation to be allocated to foreign subsidiaries. 

By Robert Freedman • 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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from CFO Dive

The promises and traps of generative AI, revamped modern finance teams and stark geopolitical risks are among the top forces CFOs are grappling with this year.

By CFO Dive staff

Feds issue streamlined PPP loan forgiveness form

Under an EZ form, you only have to complete a brief calculation and certify your representations to get out of repaying your payroll protection assistance.

By Robert Freedman • June 18, 2020

SEC charges insurer, ex-CFO with bad loss reserves disclosures

AmTrust Financial Services failed to disclose its CFO's deviation from its reserving processes, and changed the company's reserves estimates. 

By Robert Freedman • June 18, 2020

How companies can account for PPP loans under FASB ASC 470

FASB hasn't explained how for-profit businesses should recognize forgivable loans and other government assistance, but other standards are available.

By Robert Freedman • June 15, 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

Study: Higher-paid consultants recommend higher CEO compensation

Regulators tend to see conflicts in cross-selling by multi-service firms, and new research suggests single-service firms might have conflicts, too.

By Robert Freedman • June 9, 2020

SEC fines insurance company $900K for misstating CEO perks

In proxy statements, Argo Group said it had provided $1.2 million in perquisites and personal benefits to its then CEO, but the amount was $5.3 million, the SEC says. 

By Robert Freedman • June 6, 2020

PPP loans now only require 60% of funds to be used for payroll

The federal government enacted several sought-after changes to make the small loan program more useful to businesses as mandatory closures ease. 

By Robert Freedman • June 5, 2020

CARES Act tax breaks are great — unless they're not

The new retention credit, payroll tax deferral, and expansion of net operating losses, among other tax assistance to help during the slowdown, might not sync with your company's financial situation. 

By Robert Freedman • May 28, 2020

SEC hits PE firm Ares with $1M compliance fine

The firm's investment advisory arm used non-public information about a portfolio company from its private equity arm without adequate controls.

By Robert Freedman • May 27, 2020

Need and eligibility keys to avoiding PPP loan liability risk

Document what goes into your decision to apply for a loan to protect yourself and your company if you're hit with an audit or lawsuit, an attorney says. 

By Robert Freedman • May 25, 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

Delay in lease, revenue recognition rules made official

A one-year delay in new standards mainly affects private companies and nonprofits that haven't yet put them in place. 

By Robert Freedman • May 21, 2020

Morningstar hit with $3.5M fine for conflicts of interest

The credit rating agency, in several instances, failed to separate its analysts from selling and marketing to potential clients. 

By Robert Freedman • May 18, 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

SEC charges companies for making false COVID-19 claims

The actions signal a stepped-up federal effort to curb marketing ploys playing on fears of infection.

By Robert Freedman • May 17, 2020

Timing of stimulus tax deferral payback could cause liquidity crunch

Companies can expect to take a liquidity hit in 2021 and 2022, when payroll tax deferrals come due.

By Robert Freedman • May 14, 2020

IRS: Business expenses not deductible under PPP loans

The chairs of the House and Senate tax-writing committees are expected to challenge the IRS' interpretation of the program to help small businesses survive the pandemic.  

By Robert Freedman • May 12, 2020

CFO in the Know: Are CFOs ready to go with the EU's medical device regulations?

Requiring fewer applications to submit for approval, the new process could ultimately cost companies less.

By Ed McCarthy • May 12, 2020

Wages holding back repatriation of foreign profits, study finds

The drop in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% is unlikely to lead to a boom in repatriation of foreign profits by U.S. corporations. 

By Robert Freedman • May 11, 2020

75% payroll rule makes PPP loans useless, business owners say

Small business owners need help with operational costs, which the government's program fails to cover without risking loan forgiveness.

By Robert Freedman • May 3, 2020

Goodwill impairment testing during COVID-19 times

Economic uncertainty is forcing finance chiefs to rethink the impairment testing process.

By Suzanne Northington • April 30, 2020

When to reprice or replace equity-based compensation awards

If your executive team members' compensation includes stock options or other equity awards, don’t rush to change them; values have plummeted, financial planners say. 

By Robert Freedman • April 30, 2020

CFOs cautioned on post-lockdown tort risk

Plaintiff attorneys face a high bar to show someone contracted COVID-19 after workspaces reopen, but defending against their claims is expensive.

By Robert Freedman • April 29, 2020