Table of Contents
REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
· Elections Marks Shift in Congressional Agenda
· Tax Extenders on the Lame-Duck Agenda
· Volcker Makes Claim on Quantitative Easing May Create Inflation in Future
· International Economics Update: G-20 Points to U.S. International Business Goals
· Fiscal Commission Expected to Release its Report in December
· FASB Board Meeting Update
· Private Co. Accounting, Reporting, Subject of FASB Roundtable
· FASB Releases Exposure Draft on Transfers and Servicing, Effective Control for Repos
· SEC Releases Progress Report on IFRS
· IASB’s Tweedie Emphasizes Single Set of Standards
· IASB Updates IFRS 9 For Financial Liability Accounting; Webcast Coming on Hedge Accounting
· IFRS Foundation Seeks Input for Review of Interpretations Committee
· Additional FASB, IASB News
FERF UPDATE
· Treasury Department Compensation Survey
· Technology Issues for Financial Executives Survey, FY 2011
· Financial Reporting and Regulatory Update for the Quarter ended June 30, 2010
· Thank You to FERF Corporate Contributors!
WEBCASTS
· Executive Privacy Web Summit
· Decision-making 2.0: How Financial Leaders Can Leverage 2.0 Technologies to Improve Decision-making and Collaboration Among Finance Teams
· Automating the Quarterly/Annual Process of Identifying EBITDA Difference Between Periods
· Building Your Visibility: A Crash Course in Self-Marketing
· The Last Mile of the Financial Close
CONFERENCES & EVENTS
· 20th Edition SOX Compliance & Evolution to GRC Conference
· KPMG’s Fall Audit Committee Roundtable Series
· 29th Annual Current Financial Reporting Issues (CFRI) Conference
· IFRS Boot Camp: Convergence Update and Planning Approaches
· 5th Annual Capital Allocation and Stress Testing Conference
FEI Committee Meetings
· November
Committee on Government Business (CGB)
Committee on Taxation (COT)
· December
Committee on Corporate Reporting (CCR)
Committee on Benefits Finance (CBF)
Committee on Finance & Information Technology (CFIT)
Committee on Corporate Treasury (CCT)
· January
Private Company Roundtable (PCR)
· February
Committee on Taxation (COT)
FEI JOB LISTINGS
· Job ID: 21327 – Controller
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
RESOURCES
REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Elections Marks Shift in Congressional Agenda
The elections proved to be electric for the Republican Party, as it took key Senate races early with wins in Indiana and Kentucky and later won back majority in the House of Representatives. At the time of this writing, the Republicans took Senate seats from Democrats in six states. The shift in party power will soon be realized in January, when the 112th Congress convenes. Until then, the 111th Congress will resume mid-November with a packed schedule. It is still uncertain which items will get passed before January, but continuing resolutions, unemployment benefits extensions and tax extenders are among the items on Congress’s exhaustive “to-do” list.
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Tax Extenders on the Lame-Duck Agenda
With Congress expected to reconvene in mid-November, there are numerous legislative items that need to be taken up prior to the end of the 111th Congress. Tax extenders legislation is considered the most important item due to the many expiring provisions that need legislative action before Jan. 1, 2011. The Bush-era tax cuts will sunset on Dec. 31 if congressional action is not taken. If this happens, tax rates will go up for a majority of Americans. The key debate in regards to the Bush-era tax cuts involves the top two tax brackets, which encompass many private companies. Democrats want to extend the tax brakes for all but the top two brackets, while Republicans want an extension for all brackets. This will be a contentious issue during the next two months.
Other items in need of congressional action include the estate tax and the research and development tax credit. A letter is being circulated that encourages the passage of key tax provisions during the lame-duck session of Congress. To sign the letter, click here.
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Volcker Makes Claim on Quantitative Easing May Create Inflation in Future
On Nov 2 and 3, policymakers met to discuss the overwhelming concern that economic growth is not strong enough to fight the looming U.S. unemployment rate. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker highlighted that some investors are concerned about the potential inflation risks of quantitative easing and record-low interest rates. Volcker stated, “It does worry people that we are going to create so much money, that down the road we will create inflation,” he said, regarding the global implications of quantitative easing. Volcker noted that the U.S. unemployment rate of 9.6 percent in September is likely to remain at that level for the foreseeable future and that the nation’s economic problems cannot be solved in the short run. Volcker believes the U.S. should focus on long-term policies to plan for the future.
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International Economics Update: G-20 Points to U.S. International Business Goals
The G-20 kicks-off Nov. 11, as world leaders will come together hoping to solve formidable global issues. The Obama administration has pointed out that the president is committed to tackling global imbalances in the world economy. Namely, the administration sees current account surpluses in some countries and deficits looming in others to be a main concern of the G-20. Obama’s goal is to dramatically increase U.S. exports in hopes of lowering the large U.S. trade deficit. In preparation for the G-20, a communiqué released on Oct. 23 from the Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors echoed Obama’s concerns by stating, “The global economic recovery continues to advance, albeit in a fragile and uneven way … We are all committed to play our part in achieving strong, sustainable and balanced growth in a collaborative and coordinated way.”
For more on the G-20, click here.
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Fiscal Commission Expected to Release its Report in December
On Oct. 24, the President’s Fiscal Commission looked to preserve breaks of mortgage interest deduction, child tax credits and employees’ ability to pay their portion of health care insurance with pretax dollars at lower levels. In addition, to decrease the overbearing burden of the deficit, commission officials are looking at potential cuts of defense spending and freezing domestic discretionary spending. The commission’s deadline to finalize its proposals for Congress is Dec. 1.In the “unlikely” event that the group reaches an agreement, the proposal would certainly face many obstacles in Congress — especially since the lame-duck congressional schedule is already full with “must-pass” legislation, such as tax extenders.
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FASB Board Meeting Update
The Financial Accounting Standards Board did not hold a formal board meeting this week, aside from meetings with advisory groups and roundtables described below. The board held an educational session on Nov. 3, on its Investment Properties project.
As noted in the prior issue of FEI Express, FASB voted on Oct. 27 to delay the effective date of its upcoming final standard on disclosure of loss contingencies (including litigation), such that it will not be effective this year.
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Private Co. Accounting, Reporting, Subject of FASB Roundtable
On Nov. 2, 2010, FASB held its second public roundtable meeting to discuss issues relating to existing accounting and reporting standards as they affect private companies. The issues slated to be discussed included, but were not be limited to, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Codification Topic 810, originally issued as FIN 46(R) and Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (Codification Topic 740, originally issued as FIN 48). FASB noted its purpose in holding the roundtable meeting was to engage in a constructive dialogue about private-company financial reporting issues with a wide variety of stakeholders, including private companies, auditors, and users of private-company financial statements.
Additional FASB/International Accounting Standards Board roundtables slated for this week and coming weeks include roundtables on revenue recognition, insurance contracts, and consolidation, as detailed in FASB’s Calendar.
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FASB Releases Exposure Draft on Transfers and Servicing, Effective Control for Repos
Earlier today, FASB released an Exposure Draft of a proposed accounting standards update on: Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements. The comment deadline is Jan. 15, 2011. Additional details are in FASB’s press release.
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SEC Releases Progress Report on IFRS
Although not directly regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, private companies may wish to stay informed of developments regarding the SEC’s consideration of potentially permitting – or requiring – U.S. public companies to report to the SEC in International Financial Reporting Standards (published by the International Accounting Standards Board) versus the current requirement of reporting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles published by FASB.
Some private companies are considering pros and cons of potentially moving to IFRS, or IFRS for Small and Medium Sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs), and the Financial Accounting Foundation’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Standard Setting for Private Companies is watching these developments as well. Some of the issues being considered by the SEC’s decision as outlined in its IFRS workplan -- which focuses on issues relating to understandability of IFRS by U.S. investors and others, readiness of practitioners and auditors for IFRS, the independence and funding of the IASB, and other matters -- may be of interest to private companies as well. Last week, the SEC published its first progress report on the IFRS workplan.
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IASB’s Tweedie Emphasizes Single Set of Standards
IASB Chairman Sir David Tweedie, speaking at a Deloitte conference last week, commented (according to this Deloitte press release) that international convergence in accounting standards will not provide the level playing field sought by the G-20 Leaders as part of its blueprint for financial reform. According to Deloitte, Tweedie added that only a single set of high-quality standards, applied globally will achieve this objective, and that is why U.S. participation in the development of global standards is so important. Additional information on these developments can be found in this FEI Summary.
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IASB Updates IFRS 9 For Financial Liability Accounting; Webcast Coming on Hedge Accounting
On Oct. 28, 2010, IASB issued an update to IFRS 9, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. As noted in IASB's press release, the IFRS 9 update addresses accounting for financial liabilities. A webcast discussing the new update to IFRS 9 was scheduled to take place on Nov. 3; further details can be found here.
Separately, IASB announced today it will hold webcasts on its upcoming Hedge Accounting proposal.
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IFRS Foundation Seeks Input for Review of Interpretations Committee
On Nov. 2,the IFRS Foundation (formerly IASCF) announced that it has updated the Due Process Questionnaire published on Oct. 26, to better facilitate obtaining feedback for its due process review of the IASB's Interpretations Committee (formerly IFRIC). The deadline for returning the questionnaire (or filing it electronically) is Jan. 31, 2011. Further information can be found in IASB's Nov. 2 press release and IASB's Oct. 26 press release.
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Additional FASB, IASB News
Additional FASB, IASB News can be found in FEI’s FASB, IASB News Roundup.
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FERF UPDATE
Treasury Department Compensation Survey
This survey will analyze the various compensation systems, and the positive (or negative) effects that they have on the non-management level, mid-level management and senior-level management employees within the treasury department. The aim of this survey is to determine the optimal compensation system that yields the most efficient and productive treasury department.
The primary audience for this research project will be senior-level management employees within the treasury department. The survey aims to provide many insights on how well different compensation systems affect different treasury departments throughout different industries. Senior-level management will be able to reflect on whether the company’s current compensation system is producing the desired results and if it is not, they will be able to analyze which compensation systems have had the most positive impact on all levels of employees in other treasury departments. Aside from realizing that a current system is not resulting in meeting the company’s standards and a new one needs to be implemented, this project will reveal which compensation systems are most beneficial to the company, and which are not. This information can then be expanded to the company as a whole so other divisions are able to benefit as well. This survey is intended for financial professionals who hold one of the titles listed below. If this survey was sent to you inadvertently we ask that you please forward it to the appropriate person within your organization.
Chief Financial Officer | Vice President of Finance | Controller
Division, Deputy or Assistant Controller | Treasurer | Assistant Treasurer
>> Please take survey here.
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Technology Issues for Financial Executives Survey, FY 2011
Among the findings from Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF)/Gartner 2010 Technology Issues for Financial Executives: 2010 Annual Report, as compiled and written by John van Decker, vice president, corporate performance management and financial management systems, for Gartner:
“As a major technology influencer, the CFO may have more clout in technology investment decisions than the CIO.”
“Web-oriented software, cloud computing, social networking and GRC (governance, risk and compliance) are viewed as leading technologies by the CFO.”
“Ramping up efforts in 2010, CFOs see the critical nature of improving data quality.”
FEI’s Committee on Finance & IT (CFIT) worked closely with FERF and Gartner to develop and launch the 2011 Technology Issues Survey. Completion of the survey should take less than 20 minutes and your responses will be held in strictest confidence. They will only be used in the preparation of the FERF Executive Report. All participants will receive a complimentary copy of the report when published in April 2011, as well as a special Gartner summary of last year’s research. If you have any questions about the survey or any suggestions on how to improve it, please contact Bill Sinnett, FERF Director of Research.
>> Please take the survey here.
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Financial Reporting and Regulatory Update for the Quarter ended June 30, 2010
FERF has prepared a summary of proposed and final actions by the following U.S. and international standard-setting and regulatory bodies, including Financial Accounting Standards Board, Financial Accounting Foundation - Emerging Issues Task Force, International Accounting Standards Board, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, eXtensible Business Reporting Language and Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (known as COSO).
The alerts for Private Companies highlight actions for the period July 1, 2010 through Sept. 30, 2010 is available here.
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Thank You to FERF Corporate Contributors!
Our utmost THANKS and APPRECIATION to our corporate donors whose generosity funded FERF research this year! FERF Major Gift donors ExxonMobil Corporation and Microsoft Corporation, along with our President’s Circle Donors, provided the much-needed support to produce the cutting edge research and benchmarking tools available to all FEI members. Thank you for your continued generosity – we couldn’t do it without you!
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WEBCASTS
Executive Privacy Web Summit
Presented by KPMG
Nov. 4 | 11:30 a.m. Eastern | 75 minutes | No CPE credits available
Register here.
Cloud computing, mobile and social media represent significant revenue opportunities for technology companies. With the increased use of cloud computing, the explosion in the number of mobile devices, and with over 500 million Facebook users, the use of these services is rapidly becoming mainstream. However, as technology companies roll out these services and applications, concerns related to the privacy impacts of these new business models continue to increase, and regulators around the world are considering new policies that may impact the adoption of these technologies by consumers and enterprises.
The panel of experts includes:
· Marc S. Crandall, Product Counsel, Google
· Barb Lawler, Chief Privacy Officer, Intuit
· Doron Rotman, National Privacy Service Leader, KPMG
· Christine Lyon, Partner, Morrison and Foerster
· Alexis Goltra, Managing Counsel, Privacy & Security Legal, Oracle
The conversation will focus on key business and privacy issues technology executives need to consider to successfully build and manage a successful privacy strategy, including:
· The potential privacy impact of cloud computing, location aware mobile devices and applications, and increased use of social media.
· The potential impact of recently proposed federal legislation on the delivery model for these services and impacts of the global privacy regulatory environment on organizations’ service delivery model.
· A new breed of “information sharer” is emerging. How do enterprises manage privacy policies as individuals are willing to bargain their PII for content and services?
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Decision-making 2.0: How Financial Leaders Can Leverage 2.0 Technologies to Improve Decision-making and Collaboration among Finance Teams
Presented by arcplan, Inc.
Nov. 18 | 3:00 p.m. Eastern | 1 Hour | No CPE credits available
Register here.
Individuals and groups make thousands of decisions a day that ultimately determine the financial performance of their organizations. This webinar will pick up where the first webinar left off by identifying ways in which financial decision-making processes can be improved by leveraging 2.0 tools and technologies. It will specifically focus on:
· The influence that web 2.0 tools have on decision making in people’s daily lives.
· 2.0 technological innovations (e.g., wikis, chat features, user profiles, content rating, voting) and the benefits of using them to improve finance operations at the workplace.
· How leading organizations can use similar technologies in-house to improve collaboration and decision making.
· The importance of strategic goals and objectives in determining which tools and technologies to use, and how to use them.
· Examples of solutions that utilize a blend of mature and new technologies for business applications.
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Automating the Quarterly/Annual Process of Identifying EBITDA Difference Between Periods
Presented by Longview Solutions
Dec. 7 | 2:00 p.m. Eastern | 1 Hour | No CPE credits available
Register here.
EBITDA is an increasingly important measurement of a company's financial success and progress. Just as with cash flow, changes in EBITDA from period to period are very important to track and understand and explain, and similarly, this process can contain very straight forward to very complex calculations and analyses.
Longview can help automate the entire EBITDA Waterfall process so that the focus shifts from calculation to analysis. Longview eliminates Excel spreadsheets and performs all calculations using its powerful calculation modeling engine. The level of detail available for analysis is far greater than what can be achieved using spreadsheets. EBITDA Waterfall can be analyzed on any of the data elements stored in the Longview database (accounts, entities, departments, products, etc.).
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Building Your Visibility: A Crash Course in Self-Marketing
Presented by Robert Half Management Resources
Dec. 8 | 2:00 p.m. Eastern | 1 Hour | 1 CPE credit available
Register here.
In today’s business world, your career success depends on what you bring to the table. Are you viewed as the kind of executive no firm can do without? Do others understand your level of expertise, respect your skills and notice your contributions? Whether you want to advance professionally or you’re looking for a new position, knowing how to self-market – that is, subtly touting your strengths to key decision-makers – can make all the difference in your potential.
By attending this session you will learn:
· Techniques to market yourself for the job search;
· Methods to boost your visibility;
· Best practices to network effectively; and
· Benefits of using social media.
Presenters for this webcast include:
· Paul McDonald, Executive Director, Robert Half Inc.
· Wayne Mello, President, RHI Executive Search
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The Last Mile of the Financial Close
Presented by Microsoft
Dec. 16 | 2:00 p.m. Eastern | 1 Hour | No CPE credits available
Office Live Meeting required – click here to access | Join event by clicking here.
Audio Information - To join a meeting from your phone, use the following information:
Phone: 888.320.3585 | Conference ID: 67450150 | Pass code: Not required.
Companies are now facing additional implementation milestones to provide XBRL-tagged financial statements with their SEC filings. Bob Weede will discuss lessons learned from Microsoft’s implementation of XBRL and how Microsoft is using technology to improve agility in the close process and ensure compliance with all public filer requirements.
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CONFERENCES & EVENTS
20th Edition SOX Compliance & Evolution to GRC Conference
Presented by Marcus Evans
Nov. 4-5 | Doubletree Hotel | Philadelphia, PA
Register here.
This conference will bring together compliance officers, financial controllers and financial planners from leading organizations such as Ryder, Wal-Mart, Ericsson, Wilmington Trust, Medtronic and many more. By attending this conference, you will have the unique opportunity to review updates on the future of SOX compliance including how to create a global and mature SOX system with integrated GRC efforts.
Conference speakers include:
· Lyle Smith, Director of Global SOX Compliance, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
· Bill Spierdowis, Director, Internal Controls, Covidien
· Rob Moonen, Global SOX Compliance Manager, Ericsson
· Jason Holler, Senior Manager, Integrated Assurance U.S. IS SOX Lead, AstraZeneca
· Anne Knapper, Director, SOX Compliance, Wilmington Trust
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KPMG’s Fall Audit Committee Roundtable Series
Presented by KPMG
Nov. and Dec. | Various Cities | CPE credits available
Register here.
KPMG’s Fall 2010 Audit Committee Roundtable Series – Risk, Reform and the Audit Committee Agenda - will begin Nov. 9 and will be held in more than 20 cities throughout the U.S. This series will bring together seasoned audit committee members, directors, and business executives to explore the ongoing challenges of risk management and oversight. What lessons can be taken from recent business crises? And the implications of the new regulatory environment, including Dodd-Frank, for audit committee oversight.
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29th Annual Current Financial Reporting Issues (CFRI) Conference
Nov. 15-16 | New York Marriott Marquis Times Square | New York City, NY
View the complete agenda - - register here.
Focused on economic challenges and regulation reform, CFRI will detail the latest accounting and reporting developments from the FASB, SEC and IASB.
Key topics include FASB/IASB technical accounting updates, future of lease and contingencies reporting, revenue recognition, Controllers’ Roundtable on top-of-mind business issues, Q&A with FASB and the SEC and more.
Keynote Speakers Include:
· Harvey J. Goldschmid, former SEC Commissioner
· Zanny Minton-Beddoes, The Economist’s Economics Editor
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IFRS Boot Camp: Convergence Update and Planning Approaches
Presented by Deloitte and FEI
Nov. 17 | New York Marriott Marquis Times Square | New York, NY
View the complete agenda - - register here.
This full-day workshop will provide an update on various recent convergence and statutory matters impacting plans for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the United States. It will present financial executives with practical information, cost-effective approaches, and an overview of time-saving tools for addressing IFRS assessments and conversions in their organizations.
The program examines important conversion issues and presents a strategic perspective on IFRS transition activities. It will include lectures, case studies, and interactive discussions, so participants can deepen their understanding of convergence, the IFRS conversion process, particularly at statutory locations, and what it means for their organization.
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5th Annual Capital Allocation and Stress Testing Conference
Presented by Marcus Evans
Jan. 31-Feb. 1 | New York, NY
View agenda and register here.
Hear from senior level executives from the Banking and Financial Services industry on how to optimize capital and risk management processes in order to comply with emerging regulatory reforms. Current speakers are leading experts from the US Treasury Department, HSBC USA, Barclays Capital, The Northern Trust Company, Union Bank, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and many more!
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FEI Committee Meetings
November
Committee on Government Business (CGB)
Nov. 11-12 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Bethesda, MD
Register here.
Committee on Taxation (COT)
Nov. 16-17 | Grand Hyatt Washington | Washington, D.C.
Register here.
December
Committee on Corporate Reporting (CCR)
Dec. 2-3 | Gaylord National Resort | National Harbor, MD
Register here.
Committee on Benefits Finance (CBF)
Dec. 6-7 | Offices of Milliman | New York, NY
Register here.
Committee on Finance & Information Technology (CFIT)
Dec. 9-10 | Hyatt Crown Center | Kansas City, MO
Register here.
Committee on Corporate Treasury (CCT)
Dec. 8-9 | Offices of Morgan Stanley | New York, NY
Register here.
January
Private Company Roundtable (PCR)
Jan. 12 | 2:00 p.m. Eastern | Teleconference
Register here.
February
Committee on Taxation (COT)
Feb. 17-18 | Washington, D.C.
Register here.
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FEI JOB LISTINGS
Job ID: 21327 – Controller
Location: Minneapolis, MN
The Controller has responsibility for the firm’s financial reporting, accounting, budget and management information. This includes efficient and timely recording and reporting of the accounting and financial operations of the firm and the management of accounting staff.
Potential candidates must exhibit the ability to evaluate current processes and implement appropriate changes to ensure efficiency. They must have exceptional communication skills that allow for building strong rapport within all levels of the Firm and will need to be a strong player/coach. The individual will supervise three staff members and be responsible for all facets of the organization’s financial activities including but not limited to financial statement reporting, cash projections, A/P, A/R, billing and collection processes, cash flow management and banking.
For further details about this job opportunity, click here.
To view more jobs, visit FEI’s Career Center.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
Congratulations to all the new members accepted in the last 30 days. Click here to see a complete list.
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RESOURCES AT www.financialexecutives.org
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