Strategic Planning Budgeting & Forecasting

09/17/2009

The U.S. Economic Crisis: Root Causes and the Road to Recovery

Many attribute the beginning of the financial crisis to the collapse of the housing market. While the housing bust indeed plays an important role, particularly in the health and stability of the banking sector, the real problem is deeper. The fluctuations observed across real estate markets over the last decade or so simply reflect sizable macroeconomic imbalances. It is the nature of these imbalances that we must fully appreciate to better understand the crisis and to potentially forecast plausible scenarios going forward.

The authors explain the role of macroeconomic imbalances—namely excessive consumption by government and households—in the current economic crisis and discuss the tough policy choices necessary to restore the nation to long-term prosperity.

Economic Optimism Continues to Improve Among CPA Executives

Heightened optimism among CPA financial executives seems to indicate the worst of the recession is in the past, but the consensus is growing that the U.S. economy is still a ways off from achieving a full recovery. While optimism about the economy continued to improve and spread across most industries in the third quarter, the percentage of executives who don’t see a recovery beginning until at least the second half of 2010 increased substantially (27% vs. 43%) from the previous quarter.

Capturing the Bottom-Line Benefits of Sustainability

Accounting for sustainability is the practice of considering the environmental and social costs of doing business when measuring organizational performance. During the recent economic crisis, practicing sustainability has become a competitive business tool and can also be a key contributor to the economic and environmental health of society. See how sustainability initiatives may influence your company's bottom line in ways you may not have considered.

Weathering the Storm: What the 2009 PCPS CPA Firm Top Issues Survey Says About the Economy's Impact on CPA Firms

The PCPS CPA Firm Top Issues Survey is a bi-annual study that identifies the most significant challenges facing practitioners across the country. It gathers information from a wide range of practitioners in firms of different sizes to spotlight the most critical concerns for PCPS members. This year, the PCPS CPA Firm Top Issues Survey included questions on the troubled economy and what it has meant to CPAs.

A Fortress Balance Sheet

CFO.com, June 18, 2009

Corporate treasurers at the CFO Core Concerns Conference agreed that cash and liquidity are their primary focus. This article explains the reason for this dramatic priority shift, four other top concerns from a National Association of Corporate Treasurers Survey and the heightened role a shock-proof balance sheet can play during financially charged times.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009: A Primer for Audit Committees

On February 17, President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) into law to help stimulate the economy out of the recession. Here are some highlights of the ARRA and questions for Audit Committees to ask senior management.

Economic Outlook Improves

Optimism about the U.S. economy’s prospects improved sharply in the second quarter, but compensation freezes, layoffs and capital spending cuts are still on the horizon for about half of companies, according to a new survey of CPA financial executives.

Nearly one-fifth of respondents were optimistic or very optimistic about the U.S. economy’s outlook over the next 12 months, according to results from the Business & Industry Economic Outlook Survey Q2 2009, conducted by the AICPA and the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Scouring Your Balance Sheet: Where Cash is King

In the current economic climate it is imperative for companies to keep pressure on constantly improving their balance sheet. Paying close attention to asset values, forecasting liabilities and understanding the capital structure can make the difference between surviving these tough economic times and or facing the possibility of closing your doors.

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05/14/2009

Practice Special: Surviving the Recession – Making a Breakthrough

Accountancy Age, May 14, 2009

Sustained success, especially during downturns, often requires new rules and a creative outlook on the tried-and-true. Here are four smart, straightforward strategies that can help build the mindset and approaches needed to transform your business performance into a champion performance.

IT Budgeting in Hard Times

CIO Insight, May 8, 2009

Its cost-center status and unpredictable budget make IT an easy target for budget-busters when business is performing poorly. However, there are specific planning and budgeting strategies that CIOs can follow to present a strong plan for financial control.

AICPA Economic Crisis and Recovery Center