Editor's note

It’s official: companies understand the importance of sustainable credentials. SAS's conference, The Premier Business Leadership Series, had key speeches and announcements about how firms have no choice but to be sustainable and how to audit their green credentials properly. So we've hopped aboard the sustainability wagon. This week law partner Paul Sheridan comments on how environment regulation has changed and its future effects on company policies. Going green is all very well but companies need to stay out of the red too, so we also have a story examining the changes in audit regulations and how to keep costs down. Then, in the first of two parts, the Hackett Group assesses how to decide on cuts to your general and administrative costs as recessionary pressures bite. And in the first of a series of stories from CIMA, Richard Mallett the technical director of the innovation and development team, argues that the debate about changing how fair value is recorded has dangers from an international perspective.

Gerry O'Kane, Editor
editor@financeweek.co.uk

Analysis

How private equity firms are looking to the future
John Gripton of Capital Dynamics gives a view on why private equity remains a good investment vehicle. This article also provides an insight into how private equity companies regard the corporate landscape: ripe for takeover or to be avoided?

Travel carbon emissions disclosure – you can't control what you don't know
When the new Climate Change Bill comes into effect, UK companies will have to disclose in their annual reports information about their level of carbon emissions. The problem is that most companies have no idea about the emmissions created by travel expenses.

Recession may pressure firms to cut G&A but there are ways to do it better
In the first of a two part report, the Hackett Group, looks at ways to assess cost cutting in recessionary times pointing out that slash and burn is not as effective as best practice.

What's fair about changing fair value?
In the first of monthly perspectives from CIMA, Richard Mallett, gives an international viewpoint on the current debate over fair value reporting methods.

• Environment: Beyond compliance – a strategic issue
• Who audits the auditors?
• The power of streamlining procurement and payment
• Assessing software in controlling company risk
• Sage Instant Accounts V14: an assessment
• Using currencies to time equity moves
• How to build an ideas factory
• Companies like the concept of pension buy-outs
• Changes to pension law: a summary
• Looking at the tax man's new guidence on travel expenses
• Considerations for finance directors under money-laundering laws
• Regulatory investigation costs and crisis management
• Schedule risk analysis Part 3: The cumulative probability distribution curve
• Clearance: updated guidance from Pensions Regulator
• Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 – the impact for businesses
• Schedule risk analysis Part 2: The six-step process
• How Tata can beat the 80% failure rate for M&As
• Schedule risk analysis Part 1: A guide for financial institutions
• Fairly valuing your firm: accountants reconsider
• Getting the most from web adspend
• The role of finance within the corporate centre
• Looking at internet company valuations
• Staying connected
• Searching for that right monthly management pack

more...

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