A CEO, as defined by Investopedia, is “The highest ranking executive in a company whose main responsibilities include developing and implementing high-level strategies, making major decisions and managing overall operations and resources.”While a degree in finance is not required, good financial management is the result of having confidence that all pillars are being looked after to the extent that your processes are devoid of gaps. You can…

Posted by Steve Rosvold on May 23, 2016.

Early in 2014, a drought in Brazil caused a surge in coffee prices, affecting businesses a world away catering to latte-loving crowds. As the cost of coffee beans doubled, Starbucks was able to maintain its profitability—without raising prices—because it had locked in a year’s worth of supply at pre-drought prices. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters wasn’t as lucky; rising costs threatened its ability to turn a…

Posted by Steve Rosvold on April 14, 2016.

Need to fuel growth, to launch new initiatives, pay for equipment, or hire skilled professionals? Rewind a few years: the bank’s answer may have been a resounding “No.” Wary of lending, they clung to cash reserves. As the economy recovers, however, they know that loans drive profits. The stigma of write-offs from 2008 and 2009 may have sharpened the pencils of some bankers, but in…

Posted by Steve Rosvold on January 21, 2015.

As advanced as an Internal Control Plan can be, it is not self-sustaining. Independent and/or ongoing evaluations are required to determine if each component is functioning effectively, and to allow deficiencies to be addressed in a timely manner. Monitoring is the process of comparing what you would expect to what actually happens. Within the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) framework, that…

Posted by Steve Rosvold on July 10, 2014.

Executives planning major expansions or capital projects need to take measures to optimize their chances of success. In many cases, they only take steps to guard against failure while leaving the most important measures out.When preparing for investments or expansions, executives should consider the following:

Posted by Steve Rosvold on March 5, 2014.

How many times have you heard somebody say, “Banks only lend to companies who don’t need the money.”?  I have heard that comment frequently over the past 10 years. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I realize it was those companies who valued their banking relationships and were always prepared to talk to the bank who received the funding. 

Posted by Steve Rosvold on February 26, 2014.

Planning for upturns and downturns in the business cycle can mean the difference between prosperity and failure. Forewarned is forearmed, and business executives should plan for the worst as well as the best.There are three fundamental steps one can take to ensure their companies not only survive but thrive during economic turbulence.

Posted by Steve Rosvold on February 19, 2014.

The worst time to start planning for a crisis is when one is actually happening. A little foresight can mitigate the damage caused by economic turbulence, especially if companies use the right analytical tools. One such tool is a sensitivity analysis, also called a “what if” analysis. A sensitivity analysis predicts the outcome of a decision under different assumptions. “Sensitivity analysis is a powerful and illuminating methodology,” writes…

Posted by Steve Rosvold on February 12, 2014.

The career track of CFOs often takes them through the roles of accountant, business analyst, accounting manager and controller. They earn well-deserved reputations for being diligent expense watchdogs and budget analyzers, but it is a significant transition moving from controller to CFO, especially in today’s world, where nearly all CFOs are expected to play a large strategic role in the company.Expense LimitersThe role of the…

Posted by Steve Rosvold on January 29, 2014.

Lean manufacturing has gained increasing acceptance on the production line in recent decades. Manufacturers are using sophisticated “lean” techniques to eliminate duplication and waste in order to achieve efficiency.Similarly, finance teams are beginning to see the value of applying this lean concept to their own operations, thereby streamlining processes and saving money.

Posted by Steve Rosvold on January 15, 2014.