A recent survey of CFO’s by Robert Half indicates that 27% state their roles are expanding into operations. Chief Financial Officers state they are being asked to work directly with operations managers to optimize efficiency and lead cost-cutting projects. Generally, the skill-set of the CFO is ideal to help operations managers analyze changes in processes [...]
“Leading the Fraud Resistant Organization”
Christopher S. Bryan CPA, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of “Leading the Fraud Resistant Organization” available beginning November 15, 2011. This six-part anti-fraud training program teaches leaders how to create an organizational culture resistant to fraud schemes. Occupational fraud is a global problem. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that fraud leads [...]
What Are Your Numbers Really Saying?
Humans are natural lie detectors. We are endowed with the ability to judge the credibility of what others say by listening to tonal inflections, noting facial expressions and watching body movements to see if all are consistent. When they are not, our suspicion is aroused. Determining whether numbers are credible is a more difficult task, [...]
Profit Planning: 2012 Payroll Costs
The overall economic outlook for 2012 appears relatively flat. Despite efforts by the White House and Congress, unemployment is also likely to remain stubbornly high. Most organizations dramatically reduced employment levels in 2009 and made little or no changes in 2010. In early 2011, it appeared employment levels would rise; however, a slowdown in the [...]
“LET’S EAT A WORM!”
“Wake up sleepy head, the sun will rise! Let’s fly around; Let’s Sing a Song; LET”S EAT A WORM!” It’s easy to be an optimist when you’re the early bird or when you have lived through enough recessions that you realize there is always something new, hot and in-demand on the other side. Let’s fly [...]
Is it Time to Invest in Your Business?
At the end of 2011, a window of opportunity is closing for many small to medium-sized businesses. That is when the increased level of Section 179 deduction expense is scheduled to drop from $500,000 to $25,000. Section 179 has been in existence for many years and is designed to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to [...]
Will Your Business Thrive in 2012 and Beyond?
There is no doubt that the US economy stinks and there is little or no hope for a recovery in 2011. In fact, many experts believe the recovery will be so slow over the next several years that the recovery will not ‘feel’ like much of a recovery. In the deluge of bad economic news, [...]
Is Your Fraud Risk Increasing?
According to the 2010 ACFE “Report to the Nations,” Certified Fraud Examiners estimate the annual impact of fraud on a typical organization is five percent of revenues. This estimate is staggering despite the fact that there is no method to prove it correct or incorrect. The estimate may perplex business owners and managers that place [...]
The Future of Marketing
The most recent issue of McKinsey Quarterly, subtitled “The Future of Marketing” caught my eye when it arrived. I have been an interested observer in the profound changes in advertising and marketing over the past several years. I’m sure you have noticed it too. I believe the continued growth of social media will bring great [...]
Re-imagining Profit Planning
Profit planning (budgeting) is a dreaded task for many business leaders—even more so during a sluggish economy. For many organizations, profit planning is a “must-do” task to satisfy bankers, donors, investors and owners. I hope this post will help you re-imagine the process of profit planning and help you produce a comprehensive plan that will [...]