Firms have stockpiled cash because of the pandemic. Why? What will they most likely use the cash for? Will it flow to investors (dividends, share repurchases)?
What is the downside of zero-based budgeting? Would you implement it at your firm when you become CFO? Why or why not?
If you were CFO, how would you handle guidance to Wall Street analysts? Widen the range? Pull it altogether?
What kind of accounting issues do you expect at ULTA (across all 3 main statements), given its review of its stores in the covid era?
What is the “bet” of entering into a pre-issuance hedge to lock in borrowing rates for future debt, as Dominion has done? That is, what must happen for Dominion to “win”? To “lose”?
What is your opinion about Chinese companies being taken off of NYSE for not allowing audit inspections?
Are you interested in this job (Chair of the UK’s Financial Reporting Council)? What would make an ideal candidate?
Do you think a going concern opinion is a leading indicator of financial viability? Why or why not? If lagging, what is the value of such an opinion?
What are the benefits to a lender/investor of using convertibles? What are the benefits to the borrower/issuer? What are the downsides to both parties? Why are the bonds now being used more?
Online is the new reality, at least for now, replacing onsite. Re: the annual shareholder meeting for public companies, what are some of the pro/cons for shareholders? For management?
The wave of loans has not gone bad yet, but banks have recognized the losses now. What/where exactly is it in the accounting standards that requires the forward, anticipated, losses be recognized now?
“Professional skepticism” always, if you become an auditor, right? How is it operationalized on the job?
Yes, firms really do do adjustments to accruals, closing entries, etc. and close the books each quarter, but now remotely. Side-by-side communications speed the process, but now it’s remote. Could you adjust?
How can macro issues, such as the coronavirus, affect the usual relationship between stock prices and earnings announcements that beat expectations?
Do you think pressure to disclose more ESG-related data will force companies to adopt formal accounting standards that measure such data?
Microsoft pledges $1 billion on climate-related efforts, namely to become carbon “negative” by 2050. What do you think is the main catalyst for this, and do you think other firms will be able to follow their lead? Why or why not? What is meant by the phrase “regulators will react and capital will react”?
