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    Want to Leverage the Power of AI? It Starts With a Solid Data Foundation

    Harnessing the power of AI is reliant upon quality data at the ready.

    Katie Rooney • Dec. 19, 2023
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    Economic Decoupling: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

    While the U.S. still has financial and trade ties to China, growing opportunities exist to bring operations to North America.

    Lou Longo • Dec. 12, 2023
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    What’s the Best M&A Strategy? Think Small and Steady

    Here’s how CFOs can put programmatic M&A into practice.

    Patrick McCurdy • Dec. 7, 2023
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    Unlocking Profitable Growth

    Insufficient granularity and incomplete costing lead to misunderstandings about profit variations across businesses.

    Dennis Kubaile • Nov. 28, 2023
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    6 Strategies for CFOs to Reduce Software Spend

    CFOs must proactively identify and optimize SaaS overspending areas.  

    Nidhi Jain • Nov. 14, 2023
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    3 Keys to Better Budgeting: Process, Technology, and Data

    Budgeting, done right, isn’t a one-time exercise.  

    Sanjeev Parlikar • Oct. 24, 2023
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    8 Ways CFOs Can Inspire Trust

    “We need to be available when our team needs us, and we need to actively listen to what they are saying.” 

    Steve McNally • Oct. 17, 2023
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    CFOs, You Have a Procurement Problem

    Follow these three steps to implement a profit and loss-focused expense management strategy. 

    Matt Smith • Oct. 3, 2023
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    The Corporate Transparency Act: Shedding Light On a Stealth Statute

    Here is a high-level summary of the CTA and its requirements.

    Robert B. Lamm • Sept. 28, 2023
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    The Data-Driven CFO: 5 Steps to Unlock Financial Data for Growth

    Here’s how to help get a handle on your data and make the most of it for your company. 

    Ben Goodyear • Sept. 19, 2023
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    AI in Hiring: 4 Steps to Avoid Legal Headaches

    These steps are a starting point for hiring teams to help their companies identify useful AI tools. 

    Jeremy Locklear and Tory Summey • Sept. 19, 2023
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    The Importance of 13-Week Cash Flow Forecasts

    Here are three ways 13WCF can help CFOs make better decisions.  

    Zach Chandis and Adam Stevens • Sept. 12, 2023
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    The Return to Office Battle: What’s the Right Approach?

    Using this strategy can help assist in the process of deciding which work model is best for your company.

    Jesse Meschuk • Sept. 8, 2023
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    4 Ways Finance Leaders Can Leverage ChatGPT

    When used responsibly, finance leaders can utilize the AI chatbot to enhance decision-making, improve operational efficiencies, and drive business growth.

    Ori Pearl • Aug. 22, 2023
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    A Full-Blown Debt Crisis Is Avoidable

    Higher interest rates have not impacted the real economy as strongly as they have in the past.

    Aylin Somersan Coqui • Aug. 21, 2023
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    5 Steps CFOs Should Take to Mitigate Workplace Misconduct

    Avoiding bad hires who engage in misconduct can help companies avoid costly lawsuits and ensure employees are the best representatives of the company.

    Ben Mones • Aug. 17, 2023
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    3 Signs an M&A Deal Is in Trouble

    “M&A deals promise strategic business growth and value creation, but they rarely come easily,” writes Frank Williamson.

    Frank Williamson • Aug. 15, 2023
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    Line Up Credit Now — Your Growing Business May Need It Later

    Borrowing in an uncertain economy may seem counterintuitive, but it may help your business navigate short-term risks for long-term success. 

    Dean Kaplan • Aug. 10, 2023
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    Bankruptcy vs. a Wind Down: A Choice for Troubled Companies

    A wind-down can be cost-effective for small and midsize businesses and offer management more control than Chapter 11 or 7. But it doesn’t include an automatic stay of creditors.

    David Dragich • Aug. 8, 2023
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    5 Ways to Upgrade Your Finance Team

    As a company grows, it needs a finance team with well-defined roles, clear procedures, and a willingness to collaborate.

    Tim Jung • Aug. 3, 2023
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    3 Strategies for CFOs to Thrive Amid Economic, Financial Uncertainty

    These three actions will help CFOs transform today’s uncertainty into an opportunity and help develop more resilience to face tomorrow’s challenges.

    Gregory Daco, Todd Ulrich, and Greg Hisenberg • Aug. 1, 2023
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    CFO Soft Skills: 4 Ways to Accelerate Development

    “Being a strong and empathetic communicator is vital to creating a positive work environment, but I have found that a CFO who can delegate accelerates team development,” writes John Touey.  

    John Touey • July 27, 2023
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    Operational Efficiency: CFOs Face a Dilemma and an Opportunity

    Cost reductions shouldn’t be made defensively but as an offensive play to reimagine an organization.

    Gideon Walter and Mai-Britt Poulsen • July 25, 2023
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    How CFOs and Controllers Can Partner on Finance Automation

    The rising interest in finance automation presents a compelling growth opportunity for controllers to establish themselves as de facto finance chief information officers.  

    Bryce Armbruster • July 18, 2023
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    Why CFOs Should Have AI On Their Minds

    AI is a powerful tool for finance teams and CFOs play a crucial role in ensuring its successful integration.  

    David Roberson • July 6, 2023