Strategy & Operations
In a recent interview, Seismic CFO Evan Goldstein stated that, facing the Fed's dual mandate and high-interest-rate environment, financial executives need to carefully weigh growth against profitability, avoiding excessive cuts to key investments like R&D for short-term profits. He advocates for "conscious" cost cutting, emphasizing a customer-centric approach, and shared his experiences at companies like Salesforce and Genentech, as well as how to manage risks in new technology investments such as AI through internal governance mechanisms like a software procurement steering committee.
The New Jersey Senate unanimously passed the CPA pathway bill (S-4493) on December 18, allowing candidates to meet educational requirements with either a bachelor's degree or 150 credits. The bill had previously passed the Assembly 78-0 and awaits the governor's signature. This move adds New Jersey to at least 24 states offering alternative pathways, giving most CPA candidates more options.
In 2024, a UnitedHealth executive was fatally shot outside a New York hotel, prompting companies to reassess executive security strategies. Jordan Arnold, co-founder of security consulting firm Jetty Partners, stated that the incident marked a turning point for executive security, with companies moving from a reactive bodyguard model to proactive, intelligence-driven protection. This article is an exclusive interview between CFO Dive and Arnold, exploring key considerations for corporate security planning in 2026, including cost-effectiveness, risk assessment, travel and meeting security, and privacy balance in online brand building.
Nine major accounting industry organizations jointly wrote to the U.S. Department of Education, opposing the exclusion of accounting graduate programs from "professional" degrees, to avoid affecting student loan caps.
The latest KPMG survey reveals that two-thirds of U.S. corporate leaders plan to increase M&A activity in 2026, with the primary drivers being expectations of further interest rate cuts and tax policy adjustments. Although tariffs and government shutdowns pose headwinds, dealmakers have adapted to the new normal. EY forecasts U.S. M&A deal value will grow by 3% in 2026, potentially reaching 7% in an optimistic scenario.
Deloitte's Q4 CFO Signals survey shows that CFOs of large U.S. companies saw their confidence in the overall business and economic environment rise for the second consecutive quarter, hitting a four-year high. Risk appetite has rebounded significantly from the trough in Q2, with 59% of respondents saying it is a good time to increase bets. However, concerns about capital market valuations persist, with 43% of CFOs believing the market is overvalued.
MoneyGram International announced the appointment of Marc Winniford as CFO, who spent 17 years at Wells Fargo and served as CFO of the corporate and investment banking division since 2022. The appointment comes at a critical time as the company advances its digital transformation following privatization.
Accounts receivable has long been viewed as a back-office burden, but in the current environment, it is becoming a strategic bottleneck constraining enterprise growth. Harlan Boyles, Senior Business Director at Capital One Trade Credit, points out that large enterprises often have 15% to 25% of their balance sheet assets trapped in accounts receivable. Through integrated, pre-financed modern AR solutions, enterprises can obtain sales funds within 24 to 48 hours, significantly reduce DSO, improve balance sheet efficiency, and enhance investor confidence. The article also cites real-world cases, including a retailer that achieved a 95% improvement in instant decision rates and another enterprise that reduced its DSO from 65 days to 2 days.
Mobility is rapidly becoming an engine for corporate transformation. Advances in electrification, automation, and intelligent connectivity are reshaping how organizations move people and goods, and how these flows impact the balance sheet. According to the white paper "The Great Mobility Shift," traditional fleet ownership is giving way to connected, data-driven ecosystems, where mobility is no longer a back-office cost but a strategic tool that can drive profitability, sustainability, and long-term value creation. This article explores trends such as electrification, automation, AI and connectivity, embedded and on-demand mobility, and how CFOs should integrate mobility transformation into their financial strategies.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill providing an alternative pathway to Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure, but the new regulations will not take effect until November 21, 2026. During the transition period, the industry will clarify course details for the 120-credit pathway and address student concerns. Currently, 24 states across the country have implemented similar reforms.