FEI Weekly

January 30, 2019

Don't wait years to fix internal control issues and maybe listen a little more.

Disclosing ICFR Issues Not The Same as Fixing Them

SEC Charges Four Public Companies With Longstanding ICFR Failures (SEC press release)

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged four companies with longstanding internal control failures in what the regulator says is a effort to hold preparers "accountable" for timely ICFR fixes. “Adequate internal controls are the first line of defense in detecting and preventing material errors or fraud in financial reporting,” said SEC Chief Accountant Wesley Bricker.  “When internal control deficiencies are left unaddressed, financial reporting quality can suffer.” 

6 Ways Small Businesses are Winning the Talent War

6 Things Small Businesses Are Doing Today to Attract Quality Job Candidates (The Motley Fool)

Here are a few notable adjustments small businesses are making to accommodate today's hiring climate: Giving workers more flexibility, using social media, offering higher salaries, emphasizing community impact or charity, using outside recruiters, and offering referral fees.

3 Blockchain Predictions for 2019

5 Blockchain Trends Everyone Should Know About (Forbes)

What we should see in 2019 is more mature endeavors in the blockchain arena. The blockchain and internet of things convergence will continue to gather pace. Expect to see more blockchain offerings from the financial services industry. Lastly, as the public’s understanding of what cryptocurrencies offer grows, the foundations of a more useful and valuable crypto ecosystem beginning to emerge.

Harley-Davidson Feels Wrath of Trump's Trade War

Harley-Davidson Profit Is Wiped Out by President Trump’s Tariffs (Bloomberg)

Harley-Davidson barely broke even in the last quarter of a year in which the struggling company got caught up in President Donald Trump’s trade wars. The motorcycle maker’s shares plunged the most in a year. Earnings per share on a GAAP basis were zero in the fourth quarter, the Milwaukee-based manufacturer said in a statement Tuesday.

Why Leaders Make Bad Listeners

6 Reasons Why You’re a Bad Listener (And How to Change It) (Fast Company)

Listening is hard because there are several inhibitors that are competing for our attention. Unfortunately, leaders can tend to have more of an ego than their followers, and it can shut down their listening. “Your ego tells you, ‘I’m really smart. How much do I need to listen to this person?'” says Fred Halstead, author of Leadership Skills that Inspire Incredible Results. “It prevents you from listening to people you think are intellectually or socially inferior.” Those who are most secure, however, are the ones who have the confidence to listen, respect, and value others.