Do you believe there should be more competition in the audit market? Why or why not? What are some of the negative consequences of “breaking up” the Big 4?
If/when you become CEO of a public company, what lessons will you take from Elon Musk’s disclosure that resulted in the SEC suit? What may you announce via social media? Do you believe the SEC’s case is appropriate?
The pressure to hit Wall Street consensus expectations can make some go over to the “dark side.” How prevalent is this tendency, in your opinion? What additional steps do you think could or should be done to prevent such behaviors?
If you were the Chair of the SEC, would you be concerned about fewer public companies? If so, what would you do about it? Is promoting IPOs part of your official charge? Should it be?
Do you think that changes in the lease accounting standards will affect a firm’s leasing policy? Can you think of situations where accounting standards have affected firms’ decisions?
If you were in the C-suite, what would you recommend be done about the “problem” of so much cash? How would you spend it? How would you decide? Do you believe it is true that European “finance chiefs . . . are often more fiscally conservative than American counterparts”? If so, why do you think that is?
If you were a CFO, would you want to move to semiannual reporting? If you were at the SEC, would you? If you were an investor? What are the issues?
Sherwin Williams is in litigation regarding lead paint. The case cites ads the firm ran in the early 1900s. If you were the firm’s CFO, what would you do with respect to disclosure requirements? Would you need to book a contingency? If you were the firm’s corporate counsel, what would you tell the CFO with respect to formally recognizing the contingency?
Dunkin’ Donuts plans to spend $100 million on “brand refresh.” DD does not own any of the stores, rather DD uses the franchise model. How will DD account for the amounts of the brand refresh that is spent on 1) equipment 2) technology infrastructure 3) training? Capitalize? Expense?
In your opinion, how important is an understanding of strategic finance as part of the skill set for CFOs? Do you believe that the new CFO at LOW will be successful? How would you measure his success? What are the implications for you as you consider a career choice?
How would you determine whether corporate balance sheets are “too” levered? What benchmarks would you use? What are the risks of too much debt, both for the firm and for the economy?
What is your opinion of the FCPA? Why was it passed? Is it a “good” law? Why or why not? If you were in the C-suite at Microsoft, what would you do now? Are there any accounting implications? Contingent liabilities?
What are your thoughts about the “pecking order” of capital and how it may have played a role in the bankruptcy?
Uber has a new CFO, who has had IPO experience, plus experience as a CEO. Do you agree with the assessment that “boards love to see CFOs who have done more than finance”? What in Mr. Chai’s background did Uber’s board want.
Tesla seems to be renegotiating with vendors after sales have been booked. What are the accounting implications from Tesla’s perspective? From the vendor’s perspective? What ratios are affected by longer payment terms and by rebates? What other sources of capital are available for Tesla at this point?
If you were/are a CPA, would you agree/disagree with the AICPA’s decision to grant ABVs to non-CPAs? Does the ABV appeal to you (now) as a possible career choice?
Even if the SEC moves to semi-annual reporting (instead of quarterly), do you believe much will change in the overall information environment? Why or why not?
If you were an adviser to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, what would your advice be about investment in technology in general, and about Tesla in particular? What kind of ROI do you believe he has in mind?
What is the role of “activist investors”? If you were CEO of Nielsen, what would you do in response to the 8% ownership of Mr. Singer? Do you agree with Mr. Singer’s proposal for Nielsen? Why or why not?
