Bank Accounting & Finance articles from August 2007

Bank Accounting & Finance archives from August 2007

Developing and implementing an operational loss data collection program: loss data can reveal weakness in internal controls and show where risk mitigation is needed.
August 1, 2007... In recent years, financial managers have been spending more and more of their time and attention on meeting earnings targets. This intensified focus on the bottom line has typically resulted in seeking additional cost-control measures and new...

The CFO's new role in merger revenue synergy: financial teams are playing key roles in identifying and realizing new types of revenue-based M&A performance improvements.(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... For two decades, industry headlines have shouted More Bank Mergers Seem Likely. In good times and bad, institutions have used acquisitions to speed access to new markets and acquire new customers. On the surface at least, the current prognosis...

Starting an audit function in a fast-paced environment: make sure management and the board understand audit's mission.
August 1, 2007... So you think you want to change jobs and you're ready for that next challenge? Perhaps someone has discussed with you the opportunity to start a new audit function, or perhaps revamp an existing function, and you're not really sure where to...

Capital-based profitability measurement: using capital allocations to link profits to risk.(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... Financial institutions must measure and monitor capital for three critical reasons. First, capital represents the ownership interest in a bank. Equity capital, although a relatively small portion of the balance sheet, is the part that...

Financial services companies increase preparedness as transfer pricing challenges escalate: tax authorities worldwide are devoting more attention to transfer pricing.(Taxes)
August 1, 2007... The risk of double taxation and the assertion of tax reporting penalties continue to increase for global financial services companies as a result of increasing audit activity among tax authorities. Financial services companies are more at risk...

Top 10 priorities for internal audit in a changing environment: new realities lead to a larger, more central and more visible role for internal audit.(Risk Management)
August 1, 2007... Internal audit (IA) functions in the banking and financial services industry are responding to new challenges, changes and expectations in today's business environment. They are striving to provide greater value as a key component of their...

Ways to improve budgeting and forecasting: financial services companies should take a strategic approach to better link financial planning with strategic direction.(Management Accounting)
August 1, 2007... Gone are the days when a company's finance function was regarded solely for its bookkeeping and reporting prowess. Organizations now recognize that highly effective financial planning skills, such as budgeting and forecasting, are a critical...

SEC and PCAOB plan to grant relief to smaller companies: in addition to internal control guidance, the SEC's capital-raising proposal would simplify life for smaller companies.(SEC Update)
August 1, 2007... The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved new interpretative guidance reduce unnecessary compliance costs for public companies under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), particularly at smaller companies,...

Communicating with directors via board portals: Web-based corporate board portals are proving to be useful tools in managing board communications and information distribution.(Corporate Governance)
August 1, 2007... The responsibilities of corporate boards and their individual directors have been given more than their are of the headlines in the last few years. It s been a rough ride for senior management, legal departments, directors and officers as...

Trends in business continuity planning: in business continuity planning, financial organizations are ahead of other types of businesses.(Disaster Recovery)
August 1, 2007... In recent years, organizations rely more than ever on technology, and nowhere is this truer than in the banking sector. In the face of increasingly realistic threats from natural disasters, terrorism and cyberattacks, organizations have placed...