Manufacturing slumps as tariff war undercuts orders, inventories: ISM

Outside of manufacturing, the U.S. economy has so far shown signs of weathering a two-month-long trade war.

By Jim Tyson • June 2, 2025

Undergraduate accounting enrollment jumps to 5-year high, study finds

Accounting has historically drawn more students during times of economic uncertainty or downturns, according to Hofstra University's Jack Castonguay. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • June 2, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Preparing for a recession in turbulent times

CFOs are turning to a variety of strategies in order to chart their own course to a soft landing — and opportunistic growth — despite soaring inflation and a looming recession.

By CFO Dive staff

Costco ‘held’ price on tariff-impacted bananas, CFO says

The warehouse club retailer has sought to eliminate the tariff impact on certain “staple” goods prices but sees flowers as “discretionary,” CFO Gary Millerchip said.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 30, 2025

Jack in the Box serial interim finance leader takes CFO brass ring

Dawn Hooper is taking the permanent CFO seat as the California-based fast food chain plans to close 150-200 underperforming restaurants.  

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 29, 2025

US court blocks Trump’s sweeping tariffs

The Court of International Trade said the president overstepped his authority, halting various duties. After an appeal, the ruling has been paused.

By Edwin Lopez • Updated May 29, 2025

Illinois passes CPA licensure bill with 2027 start date

Once signed into law, the legislation’s Jan. 1, 2027 effective date would allow time to set up rules needed to implement the changes, the Illinois CPA Society’s Martin Green says.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 28, 2025

One in four ransomware payers left with missing data: report

Most ransomware victims responding to the survey said they were threatened with having their data published or sold if they didn’t pay the attacker.

By Alexei Alexis • May 28, 2025

Fiserv CFO reaffirms Clover revenue goal

The company’s chief financial officer contended the point-of-sale unit will still deliver $3.5 billion in revenue this year despite a recent volume growth slowdown.

By Lynne Marek • May 28, 2025

Consumer pessimism eases amid cooling in U.S.-China tariff war

The share of consumers expecting a recession over the next 12 months fell in May, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • Updated May 28, 2025

FICPA president still pushing for CPA pathways despite deregulation battle

While over a dozen states have passed bills easing CPA licensure requirements, Florida’s initiative is embroiled in controversial deregulation legislation.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 27, 2025

Tech firms betting big on AI agents face ‘tremendous’ ROI pressure: EY

“Against an uncertain macroeconomic and trade environment, executives are still overwhelmingly positive on the business value that agentic AI can deliver,” said EY’s James Brundage.

By Alexei Alexis • May 27, 2025

U.S. output grows following tariff détente with China: S&P Global survey

Any recovery in U.S. output this month may prove short lived given that 10% baseline tariffs still stand, according to economists.

By Jim Tyson • May 22, 2025

BJ’s Wholesale Club is willing to sacrifice margin for digital convenience

Store-based fulfillment options cost the warehouse club money, but loyalty improvements more than make up the difference, according to CEO Bob Eddy.

By Bryan Wassel • May 22, 2025

AI is helping to curb Microsoft’s finance headcount growth, exec says

The tech giant’s finance team has “no appetite right now to continue to grow our headcount at the same pace” as in previous years, Microsoft’s Cory Hrncirik said.

By Alexei Alexis • May 21, 2025

Unions favored over big business more than any time in 60 years: EPI

While public support for unions has grown in recent years, they have not made significant inroads in worker representation.

By Jim Tyson • May 21, 2025

Continuous scenario planning, war chests top finance playbooks for uncertain times

CFOs now grappling with on-again off-again tariff policies on top of other headwinds are using a variety of strategies to mitigate the risks of the fast-changing business climate.  

By Suman Bhattacharyya • May 19, 2025

Invoice rejection spike suggests tactic’s use as tariff buffer, study says

The sharp rise suggests firms seek to delay payments as they did in the pandemic, according to an analysis from Basware, a financial automation company.  

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 19, 2025

Surging federal debt to raise borrowing costs, erode investment: Peterson

Interest rates initially rose Monday, the first day of bond trading after Moody’s Ratings late Friday cited the gloomy fiscal outlook and downgraded U.S. debt.

By Jim Tyson • May 19, 2025

Inflation expected to surge to 7.3% in a year, fueled by tariff worry

Consumer sentiment has slumped this year even as recent “hard data” reveal stable prices and robust hiring.

By Jim Tyson • May 16, 2025

Why spreadsheets aren’t going away anytime soon

Spreadsheets are not just a tool of the past; they will be a vital component of the future of finance, Gartner’s Mike Helsel writes.

By Mike Helsel • May 16, 2025

South Carolina, Oregon join states removing 150-hour CPA hurdle

In recent months over a dozen states have passed legislation easing licensure requirements for CPAs as part of a workforce development push to fix the accounting shortage.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 15, 2025

Walmart CEO: ‘Higher tariffs will result in higher prices’

The big-box retailer vows to keep those prices as low as possible and is leaning into relationships with vendors to respond to a fluctuating market.

By Kaarin Moore • May 15, 2025

House committee advances bill with ‘big three’ business tax relief

The bill advanced Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee would extend some business-friendly tax cuts from President Donald Trump’s first term.  

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 14, 2025

Inflation slows more than forecast as tariff retreat eases price pressure

Even after recent tariff reductions, U.S. consumers face an effective tariff rate of 17.8%, the highest level since 1934, the Yale Budget Lab said.

By Jim Tyson • May 13, 2025

House committee set to vote on budget legislation extending tax cuts

The bill under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee lays the foundation for much of President Donald Trump’s agenda.

By Jim Tyson • May 12, 2025