The Accounting Review Archives - CFO

Multinationals Derive Huge Benefits From Shifting R&D Abroad

Multinationals Derive Huge Benefits From Shifting R&D Abroad

Savings from moving R&D to take advantage of lower wages drives foreign profits about as much as lower tax rates.

By Vincent Ryan | May 11, 2020

SOX 404 Exemption Pushes Small Companies to Incur Debt: Study

Credit & Capital

SOX 404 Exemption Pushes Small Companies to Incur Debt: Study

To avoid the auditor attestation required by SOX 404, small companies often incur debt instead of selling stock, a new study finds.

By Vincent Ryan | April 14, 2020

Do Clawback Policies Accomplish Their Desired Purpose?

Do Clawback Policies Accomplish Their Desired Purpose?

They may, but new research surprisingly suggests that clawbacks may also prompt managers to drive down their companies' effective tax rates.

By David McCann | December 16, 2019

Flaunting Strong Earnings Damages Stock Price

Investor Relations

Flaunting Strong Earnings Damages Stock Price

After a quick boost, share prices tend to drop over the longer term for companies that quantify strong results in earnings-release headlines.

By David McCann | October 9, 2018

Auditor Rotation Rules Miss Their Mark

Risk & Compliance

Auditor Rotation Rules Miss Their Mark

Merely requiring companies to periodically invite bids for their audit business, or change engagement partners at the incumbent firm, doesn't do the job.

By David McCann | February 28, 2018

SEC Audit Committee Rule Is Worthless: Study

Risk & Compliance

SEC Audit Committee Rule Is Worthless: Study

Investors gain no benefit from a 1999 rule requiring audit committees to have at least three members and be free of conflicting interests, research finds.

By David McCann | November 1, 2017

Would a Territorial Tax System Help Investors?

Would a Territorial Tax System Help Investors?

Total shareholder return likely would rise only slightly if repatriated, foreign-earned profits were no longer taxable in the U.S., a study finds.

By David McCann | August 1, 2017

Low Effective Tax Rates Don’t Signal Excess Risk: Study

Low Effective Tax Rates Don’t Signal Excess Risk: Study

Contrary to common opinion, there's no evidence that a low effective tax rate is a sign of risky corporate management.

By David McCann | January 10, 2017

Crime Doesn’t Pay, Says Harvard Bribery Study

Crime Doesn’t Pay, Says Harvard Bribery Study

Corruption does boost local sales, but those are canceled out by the costs associated with bribery, as indicated by return on equity.

By David McCann | March 1, 2016

Should Your Auditor Prepare Your Tax Return?

Should Your Auditor Prepare Your Tax Return?

While regulators frown on a company's auditor handling its taxes, new research suggests that such concern is unwarranted.

By David McCann | February 1, 2016

How Scripted Should Your Earnings Calls Be?

Investor Relations

How Scripted Should Your Earnings Calls Be?

A professor finds evidence that relying too heavily on scripting can depress stock performance.

By David McCann | January 11, 2016

Murky Press Releases Can Conceal Poor Results

Investor Relations

Murky Press Releases Can Conceal Poor Results

Poorly written earnings releases can be used to manipulate investors by encasing bad results in murky language, says a study.

By Matthew Heller | February 19, 2015