Human Capital
Home, office or hybrid: Where do CFOs work best? Peer Audit
A survey of chief financial officers shows that remote work and office work each have their advantages. About half of the respondents believe they are most productive at home, but several CFOs emphasize that the nature of the work determines the best workplace.
The wavering economy ticks up as a factor in executive benefits decisions
A survey by consulting firm NFP of 273 executive benefits decision-makers shows that 80% of companies plan to keep executive benefits unchanged next year. Although mentions of economic factors have increased by half, only 18% view them as the primary factor, with talent retention and succession planning still at the core.
U.S. firms plan to increase employee base salary budgets by an average 3.3% in 2027
According to the latest Korn Ferry survey, despite a volatile economic environment, most U.S. companies still plan to increase base salaries for the majority of their employees in 2027. The overall average base salary budget increase is 3.3%, with a median of 3%. The survey also covers topics such as incentive bonuses, the impact of artificial intelligence, and talent development.
Nearly 3 in 4 new S&P 500 CFOs are first-timers
In the first quarter of 2026, CFO appointments at S&P 500 companies hit a seven-year high for the period, with 73% of the 33 new CFOs being first-time appointees. Meanwhile, the average tenure of outgoing CFOs fell to 5.8 years, with the healthcare sector seeing the highest CFO turnover rate.
Healthcare costs projected to tick up 9.5% in 2027, Aon says
Aon released a forecast stating that U.S. employer medical costs will increase by 9.5% year-over-year in 2027, averaging approximately $19,000 per person. Despite employers' frequent cost-containment measures, costs continue to trend upward. Specialty drugs, GLP-1 therapies, rising chronic disease prevalence, and increased healthcare service utilization are the primary drivers, with CFOs increasingly participating in health benefits decisions.
How Scotts Miracle-Gro CFO shed his interim title
Scotts Miracle-Gro CFO Mark Scheyer served as interim CFO in January 2025 and was promoted to permanent CFO five months later. He successfully made the role transition by leveraging his financial experience, focusing on investor relations repair, and strengthening communication. This article is an interview with CFO.com, exploring his transition strategy, seasonal business cash management, the SMG 2.0 plan, and his career journey.
The working capital squeeze behind the semiconductor surge
The artificial intelligence boom has propelled semiconductor revenues to record highs, yet the industry's cash conversion cycle has lengthened by eight days in 2025, reflecting growing working capital pressures. As companies like TSMC commit billions to new fabs and Nvidia extends invoicing cycles, the gap between growth and cash realization widens, raising questions about the sustainability of the AI-driven financial model.
How Brookhaven National Laboratory’s CFO finances big science
In an interview with CFO.com, Dr. Susan McKeon, CFO and Associate Lab Director at Brookhaven National Laboratory, shares insights on financing cutting-edge science, balancing taxpayer stewardship with scientific mission, and the evolving skills needed in finance as AI and data tools become prevalent.
How to close the AI skills gap in finance teams: Dear CFO
In this edition of Dear CFO, Gary Vecchiarelli, CFO of CleanSpark, addresses the AI skills gap in finance teams. He argues that AI, when used correctly, can compress the learning curve for junior staff while enhancing the judgment of seasoned professionals, turning a perceived generational divide into an opportunity for organizational growth.
New Jersey township CFO charged with theft by deception
Cameron Keng, CFO of Franklin Township, New Jersey, was arrested Aug. 4 on a third-degree theft by deception charge after Unity Bank uncovered an alleged double-billing scheme during a payroll fee investigation. Keng has pleaded not guilty; a pre-indictment conference is set for Sept. 14.