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For the week ending August 7, multiple companies announced CFO changes: Best Buy appointed Anne Bramman to succeed Matt Bilunas; ConocoPhillips CFO Andy O'Brien will be promoted to CEO, with Konnie Haynes-Welsh succeeding as CFO; Zoetis appointed Jay Saccaro as CFO and COO; Pandora appointed Paulo Garcia as CFO; Dave & Buster's CFO Darin Harper was promoted to CEO; Portillo's hired Kevin Kalicak as CFO; AGCO promoted Indira Agarwal to CFO; Criteo CFO Sarah Glickman stepped down, with Connor McGogney succeeding.
The number of listed companies in the United States has dropped from approximately 8,000 to fewer than 4,000, but small and mid-cap companies have not found it easier to attract capital attention as a result; instead, they face intensified valuation discounts, insufficient analyst coverage, and dramatic shifts in the competitive landscape. Based on data from institutions such as T. Rowe Price, Federated Hermes, Bank of America, and Barclays, this article dissects the causes of valuation gaps and proposes that CFOs respond through systematic measures including diagnosing drivers, developing roadmaps, and strengthening investor relations communication.
In recent years, the demand for fractional or interim financial leadership has continued to rise, initially driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently accelerated by the rise of artificial intelligence. The integration of AI in finance and accounting has significantly changed business models, and companies are increasingly accepting of hiring fractional or part-time CFOs. Based on an interview with Jason Hope, founder of Hope Financial Consulting, this article analyzes how AI is impacting the financial consulting industry and future trends.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Wednesday the creation of a new enforcement division dedicated to handling cases of financial reporting and accounting fraud. The division will be housed within the Division of Enforcement and will be composed of lawyers and accountants with expertise in financial reporting, accounting, and auditing.
Fintech company Chime announced on Wednesday that CFO Matt Newcomb will step down this Friday, ending his 10-year tenure at the company. President Mark Troughton will serve as interim CFO while continuing his existing duties. Chime also released its second-quarter earnings the same day, with revenue up 27% year-over-year to $670 million and active members reaching 10.4 million, up 20% year-over-year. Based on strong performance, the company raised its full-year revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance.
Concerns about artificial intelligence replacing human jobs are extending to the highest levels of corporate management. The latest Watch Chest survey shows that 45.5% of male American respondents believe AI "should" replace executives such as CEOs and CFOs, while only 25.2% of women hold this view. Support rises with income, except among those earning over $200,000 annually. Regional differences are evident, with the West Coast showing the highest support (42.5%) and the Midwest the lowest (18.1%).
Aidana Zhakupbekova of Rydoo officially assumed the role of Chief Operating and Financial Officer (COFO) in January 2026. In this exclusive interview, she shares the challenges of managing combined finance and operations, its impact on M&A integration, and why more growth-oriented companies will adopt the COFO model.
McDonald's has appointed Skye Anderson, a senior internal finance executive, as president of its US division, succeeding Joseph Erlinger, who served for seven years. Anderson has served as chief operating officer of McDonald's US since April and brings 26 years of company experience. The personnel change comes against the backdrop of slowing growth in the company's US business in the second quarter.
Flexible Finance (operator of Flex payment services) filed a lawsuit in Manhattan court on Monday, accusing its former CFO candidate Alex Anderson of misappropriating trade secrets and using that information to help his current employer, competitor Split Pay, expand its business. The complaint alleges that Anderson violated a confidentiality agreement during the interview process, stole core confidential information such as Flex's financial models and strategic plans, and assisted Split Pay in shifting to a B2B model highly similar to Flex's. Flex requests the court to order the return of all trade secrets and to award damages.
At the 2026 Disability Management Employer Coalition Annual Conference held in Nashville, Tennessee, health and productivity consultant Kristin Tugman stated that social turmoil and the pandemic over the past few years have put employees generally in a 'fight or flight' mode, and employers should improve workplace mental health through intentional communication and management training.