Opinion
Dark Social: The Invisible Decision-Making Tool in the CFO's Hands
When CFOs seek quick answers to work challenges, they no longer rely solely on traditional advertising or meetings, but turn to dark social—untraceable shares and conversations in private channels like Slack and WhatsApp. Written by Zviki Shimon, CFO of Datarails, this article analyzes the rise of dark social among CFOs, its impact on sales leads and marketing attribution, and how it provides more authentic feedback.
Navigating the Forecasting Dilemma: The Trade-off Between Building In-House and Outsourcing
Current economic volatility makes corporate forecasting more difficult, and finance teams must carefully weigh building in-house versus outsourcing in the forecasting process. According to transaction cost theory, choose to build in-house when internal governance costs are lower; otherwise, outsource. External forecasting is suitable for markets that do not require firm-specific knowledge, while internal forecasting needs to incorporate proprietary information. Meanwhile, scenario analysis and the speed and frequency of updates are also key to enhancing forecasting competitiveness.
Intercompany Operations: A New Management Perspective Beyond Zero-Sum Games
Intercompany financial issues are often viewed as a zero-sum game, but they actually involve complex process, tax, and compliance challenges. This article analyzes execution gaps and tax pitfalls, and introduces how IFM achieves netting through automation, reduces accounting hours by 90%, and optimizes financial, tax, and treasury management.
Tax Technology Value Rising: C-Suite Executives Urgently Need to Elevate Strategic Attention
The tax industry is undergoing significant transformation, but most corporate executives have not yet fully tapped into the potential of tax data and technology. KPMG's latest survey shows that although most respondents claim to frequently use tax data, there are still significant deficiencies in practical application: 52% do not use it for policy scenario planning, 64% do not align it with ESG strategies, and 64% do not use it to identify tax credits. The article calls on executives to confront the skills gap and strengthen tax data application through talent upgrades or managed services to gain a competitive advantage in a complex regulatory environment.
Why Early-Stage Startups Should Prioritize Hiring a CFO
Pipe co-founder Harry Hurst believes that startups should not wait until revenue hits $50 million to hire a CFO. Drawing on his own experience, he argues that bringing in a financial leader early helps establish a solid financial model, optimize unit economics, protect cash flow, and effectively manage risk, thereby laying the groundwork for long-term growth.
A Guide to Implementing Dynamic Pricing Strategies for B2B Marketplace Platforms
With the B2B e-commerce market projected to reach $25.65 trillion by 2028, more enterprises are shifting to multi-seller marketplace models. However, the complexity of dynamic pricing systems has become a major challenge for companies adopting this model for the first time. Written by Ryan Lee, CEO of Nautical Commerce, this article explains the principles of dynamic pricing, three mainstream pricing strategies, and key implementation points.
ABCs and IRC in Cannabis Accounting: Compliance Essentials and Practical Guide
Cannabis industry accountants often struggle due to reliance on traditional control measures. The article analyzes how IRC 280E limits tax deductions and how costs can be allocated to inventory and cost of goods sold (COGS) under IRC 471 to legally reduce tax burdens. It also points out that poor bookkeeping can lead to fines exceeding $70,000 and cites the Alterman v. Commissioner case as a warning of risks. Finally, it recommends using industry-specific accounting tools and rigorous daily-to-annual processes to balance GAAP and tax compliance.
Metallicus CFO: Terra Collapse Shouldn't Derail Trust in Reserve-Backed Stablecoins
In the wake of Terra Luna's collapse, Metallicus CFO Irina Berkon contends that reserve-backed stablecoins remain vital for the future of programmable money, urging regulators and fintechs to focus on transparency and compliance rather than abandoning the technology.
Practical Advice for Strengthening the CFO-COO Partnership
In today's high-growth companies, the collaboration between CFOs and COOs is increasingly critical. Based on their own experiences, two executives at Workiva propose steps such as building trust, continuous engagement, and data-driven decisions to break down functional silos and achieve strategic alignment, thereby driving business outcomes.
Preparing for the Next Phase of Stimulus Program Fraud Investigations: CFO Compliance Risk Alert
Federal authorities are accelerating the second phase of fraud investigations related to COVID-19 stimulus programs, with enforcement priorities shifting from early obvious fraud cases to complex violations involving multiple programs such as PPP, EIDL, and ERC. This article advises CFOs and financial executives to engage white-collar criminal defense attorneys early to conduct internal reviews, mitigating potential risks in loan forgiveness applications, tax filings, and whistleblower lawsuits.