For many years, debt was cheap capital, so many firms loaded up. But, too much of a good thing can make one sick. How much is too much?
Do you agree with some of the opinions that Apple lost $9 billion on share repurchases? Why or why not?
Is a goodwill impairment a leading indicator, or lagging? Why do you think impairments are on the rise?
“I do not respect the SEC,” declared Mr. Musk. Who’s position do you support, Mr. Musk’s or the SEC’s? Why?
What is notable about the newly hired (at Airbnb) CFO’s background to make him suitable for the job? How do you think he will/should be compensated? Does this line of work appeal to you?
Do you believe the form of a presentation can affect stock prices as much as the substance of a presentation?
If you were the CEO or CFO of a firm, would you adopt the newly codified SASB standards? Why or why not? Would you want the SEC to require all firms to include SASB standards in addition to FASB standards?
So, do you want managers to have audit experience, or not? Do you believe the conclusions? What are alternative explanations?
If you were the Uber CFO selling the IPO to bankers and investors, why would you want to use non-GAAP measures? Which ones would you choose?
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?
