CMA Management articles from December 2005

CMA Management archives from December 2005

Readjusted vision--imperatives for 2006.(economic forecasting)(Editorial)
December 1, 2005... The past year has been a bit of a wild ride for Canadian businesses. Between unprecedented spikes in the energy sector, a steadily strengthening dollar and an employment rate we haven't seen in 30 years, strategic managers are having to adjust...

Bullies, Tyrants and Impossible People.(business success)
December 1, 2005... One necessity of business success is having the ability to interact well with other people. Bullies, Tyrants and Impossible People presents a formula created by two well-known negotiators that sets out to help manage the more challenging of the...

Risk From the CEO and Board Perspective.(Chief Executive Officers)(Brief article)
December 1, 2005... All companies face uncertainty and, therefore, all companies must deal with risk. Does our company have an adequate preventative maintenance program in place to preserve revenue generating equipment and machinery? Is management providing the...

5-D Leadership.(Adapting for success)
December 1, 2005... Today's business realities demand versatile leaders who have more than one style of leadership in their repertoire. For every unique business situation that requires a leader, there is an appropriate approach for that leader to take. In 5-D...

Ontario introduces new Public Accounting Act.(accounting act)
December 1, 2005... The Ontario government is modernizing the accounting profession by making public accounting licences more accessible under the Public Accounting Act, announced Attorney General Michael Bryant when the act took effect in early November. ...

Improving performance a matter of good management, not tech.(investments)(Brief article)
December 1, 2005... Additional spending on information technology can raise productivity, but only in well-managed companies, according to a new study released recently by The McKinsey Quarterly. IT investments can play a critical role in raising business...

New software.(New and noteworthy information you can use)
December 1, 2005... Visit www.managementmag.com for more information on the following software and applications packages: * Hitachi's new XBRL 2.1 tool, Xinba, strategically aligned with PwC's TeamMate audit management software * Hyperion's System 9 ...

COSO releases small business SOX guidance.(New and noteworthy information you can use)
December 1, 2005... The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in late October released for public comment an exposure draft of its much-anticipated Guidance for Smaller Public Companies Reporting on Internal Control over Financial...

Fast 500 features 53 Canadian firms.(rankings)
December 1, 2005... Building on its reputation as a technology leader, this year Canada has 53 companies on the list of the fastest-growing technology companies in North America, according to the 11th annual Deloitte Technology North American Fast 500. Four...

Pocketbook-sized portability.(laptop computers)(Brief article)
December 1, 2005... Fujitsu Canada, Inc. recently released its newest notebook computer--the LifeBook P1510D, touted as the industry's smallest convertible notebook, compact enough to go anywhere and light enough to hold effortlessly, with the versatility to...

IAASB works to clarify international standards.(International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board)(Brief article)
December 1, 2005... As part of its program to improve the clarity of international standards, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has issued exposure drafts (EDs) of four proposed...

The better board revisited.(rants and raves)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2005... I read your article "The better board" in the August/September issue of CMA Management. I think your emphasis on the better board should be on providing more reliable information rather than greater involvement in running the business...

The supportive manager: are your management techniques helping or hindering your team? A new study suggests that the majority of managers have plenty of room to improve.(management development)
December 1, 2005... The number one factor employees cite as negatively affecting their work productivity is poor management. Would you consider yourself a supportive manager? Recent research would suggest that that might not be the case, since only one third to...

Restructuring for a positive return: properly navigating financial challenges (and avoiding bankruptcy) can be beneficial for everyone involved. Make sure you understand your options.(financial management)
December 1, 2005... As strategic and financial management professionals, CMAs provide leadership and innovative solutions to organizations for which they serve, either as financial officers, or as financial advisers. This role is easily understood and accepted...

Bridging academia and application: Glenn Feltham, CMA, FCMA, believes the accounting profession and accounting education have never been in better shape, but the way forward requires still more collaboration.(Certified Management Accountants )(Fellow Chartered Management Accountant )(Cover story)
December 1, 2005... Glenn Feltham, CMA, FCMA, has always been fascinated by the rigor and focus involved in research and the academic community. As Dean of the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba, he's able to share his enthusiasm with the...

Business continuity: creating a framework for success.(accounting services)
December 1, 2005... Business continuity management has suffered in the past from poor planning across the organization, placing ownership of the process in the wrong hands, and an inability to clearly delineate responsibilities throughout the governance structure....

Supply chain change imperatives.(accounting)
December 1, 2005... Rising fuel and energy costs have and will negatively affect business bottom lines. For most companies, passing on cost increases is no longer acceptable. Companies need to understand options and outcomes in tightening their supply chain. Those...

Pushing the productivity envelope: recognizing the growing gap between Canada's productivity performance and that of the U.S., CMA Canada has submitted key recommendations for the next federal budget that focus on incentives for small business and a stronger public sector.
December 1, 2005... In November 2005, CMA Canada participated in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance's pre-budget consultations. These hearings are an effective venue in which to share with the government CMA Canada's views on how best to move...

Dispelling the innovation myths: innovation isn't all about creativity or new technology. As the authors of Making Innovation Work explain, it's really not much different than many other business functions--it needs management and discipline.(Making Innovation Work)(Book review)
December 1, 2005... A review of Making Innovation Work, By Tony Davila, Marc J. Epstein and Robert Shelton. Published by Wharton School Publishing, 2005. Innovation is often shrouded in an aura of mystery. Managers seem to believe that it is created by some...

Kick starting small business: the federal government's Canada Small Business Financing Program needs an overhaul. What shape the changes will take is still up for debate.(government issues)
December 1, 2005... Small business is big business in Canada, and getting that business the funding it needs to get started is no small matter. That's why changes are likely in store for the small business loans program that has helped thousands of businesses get...

Microcredit management support: the United Nations has spent the last year promoting the importance of microcredit worldwide. CMA Agneta Eikelenboom has been involved in making it work on the ground.(microcredit)
December 1, 2005... Microcredit is an important form of financial aid in developing countries. It provides small loans to those usually excluded from formal financial services. Currently, microentrepreneurs use loans as small as $100 to grow thriving businesses...

Governance, performance measurement among key priorities for new Board Chair: as a number of innovative strategic initiatives come to fruition, Board Chair Ron Stoesz is navigating CMA Canada through the success and challenges of growth.
December 1, 2005... The watchword today for all levels of government in Canada is accountability. Better financial management, risk assessment and control, and rigorous performance measurement are all key priorities. In the federal government, several...

Market forces drive development of CMA Canada's new strategic plan: new demands from organizations as they respond to globalization, changing demographics, advances in technology and increased regulation create an opportune time to formulate a new strategic plan for the management accounting profession.
December 1, 2005... With the rapidly changing global and accounting landscape, the CMA Canada partners are focusing on developing a new strategic plan for Canada that will address market trends and advance the management accounting profession for the benefit of...

New governance model forms foundation to achieve strategic and organizational excellence: CMA Canada is introducing an innovative governance model that will enhance the organization's decision-making capability and increase the influence of the management accounting profession in the global marketplace.
December 1, 2005... At its September 2005 meeting, CMA Canada's National Board of Directors approved in principle conceptual changes presented in a new governance model aimed at enhancing the organization's decision-making capability, increasing effectiveness and...

Performance measurement at work: the Balanced Scorecard model will enable CMA Canada to effectively implement strategy, manage risk, and address stakeholder expectations.(Certified Management Accountants )(Company overview)
December 1, 2005... For any organization to achieve operational and strategic excellence, it must have a rigorous set of performance measures to ensure it effectively implements strategy, manages risk, and proactively addresses stakeholder expectations. As a...

FCMAs--leading successful enterprises, enriching Canadian communities.(Fellow of The Society of Management Accountants of Canada)
December 1, 2005... CMA Canada is proud to present its new FCMAs. The Fellow of The Society of Management Accountants of Canada (FCMA) is a prestigious national honorary designation that is awarded to CMAs who, through their outstanding achievements, bring...

The CMA competency map--defining the modern management accountant: CMA Canada's new competency map, approved by the National Board of Directors at its September 2005 meeting, demonstrates how CMAs develop their unique competencies and deliver value to organizations over the course of their careers.(Certified Management Accountants)
December 1, 2005... CMA Canada's National Board of Directors approved the association's innovative new CMA competency map at its meeting in September 2005. The competency map clearly defines the management accounting territory, and delineates what employers and...

The evolving landscape of professional accounting: changes in business service demands and a climate of increased accountability are creating new opportunities for CMAs in the fields of public accounting and value-added assurance services.(Certified Management Accountants)
December 1, 2005... As organizations transform themselves in response to powerful market forces, the role and competitive position of the CMA are changing radically. There are increasing opportunities for CMAs to provide services that add value to business,...

Breaking new frontiers in management accounting research: the CMA Canada Research Foundation will expand the conceptual boundaries of management accounting and create value-added knowledge management materials.
December 1, 2005... The CMA Canada Research Foundation, re-established by CMA Canada's National Board of Directors, will generate leading-edge research aimed at CMAs, other strategic financial management professionals, the business community, and prospective...

Conveying the CMA brand promise: since CMA Canada first launched its co-ordinated brand communication programs in 2004, the response has been remarkable. With a new campaign underway, CMA market penetration continues to grow.
December 1, 2005... CMA Canada's new brand advertising program launched in September 2005 continues to showcase how CMAs add value to every aspect of an organization. "Our new program features a dynamic mix of print and electronic ads, TV commercials and, for...

Progress through partnership: CMA Canada continues to increase its international visibility and influence through dynamic knowledge sharing worldwide.(Certified Management Accountants)
December 1, 2005... Throughout its history, CMA Canada has established a myriad of programs aimed at developing the competencies of its members to compete successfully in the global marketplace and drive demand for the CMA designation. Over the past year, these...

Quality membership growth: building the future success of the management accounting profession; The CMA Canada partners' strategic growth strategy draws excellent talent to the designation.
December 1, 2005... Quality membership growth is an important strategic initiative for the CMA Canada partnership. Through strong collaboration, the partners have established a ground-breaking consolidated growth plan for the profession. The plan includes analyses...

Meeting public sector needs: a new dual CMA/CPFA designation aims to support the federal government's financial management and accountability initiatives.
December 1, 2005... Federal government employees can now receive comprehensive public sector financial management and strategic leadership training through a new dual designation program being developed by CMA Canada and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance...

Stronger management, better service, greater prosperity: two CMA Canada submissions to the federal government encourage strengthening public sector financial management and accountability.(improving reponsibility accounting services)
December 1, 2005... In late October 2005, CMA Canada presented two submissions to the federal government; one to Justice Gomery's Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities, and one to the House of Commons Standing Committee on...