AUGUST 2014 VOLUME 315 SUMMARY PAGE 1. CEO Insight: Leadership, Growth and the CFO Field of Study: Management Advisory Services 2. Taxing Times: From IRS Scandal Allegations to Corporate Reform Field of Study: Taxes 3. FASB’s Simplification and Disclosure Framework Initiatives Field of Study: Accounting 4. Bad Behavior by Top Management Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics FMN is a product of Scott Wine became the CEO of Polaris Industries at the start of the Great Recession in 2008. In his Keystone Address to the Financial Executives International’s 2014 Summit Leadership Conference, Mr. Wine describes the strategy he used to help him turn his company around as well as the leadership maxims he subscribes to. One of the leadership principles he followed was to develop a close working relationship with his CFO, a relationship he believes is critical to the growth of a company in today’s competitive environment. Now, more than ever, the focus in the tax arena is on corporations. From increased Congressional scrutiny of the tax strategies of global companies to alleged scandal at the IRS to debate on corporate tax reform, business tax issues are receiving a great deal of attention. In this segment, Robert Wood, Managing Partner of the law firm Wood LLP and author of over thirty tax books, provides an informed update on these and other developments currently impacting corporate taxation. The number one priority identified in the FASB’s annual survey of their Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Committee was dealing with the complexity of financial accounting standards. In response, the FASB added a “simplification” project to its agenda. Here, Colleen Cunningham, Vice President and Controller with Zoetis, and John Fleming, Executive Vice President of SmartPros, discuss this new initiative as well as the FASB’s disclosure framework initiative and explain the effect these projects will have on financial reporting in the future. When top management behaves badly, it can weaken morale, destroy confidence and lead to fear of job loss. In such an environment, not only is the company’s overall financial performance likely to suffer, but the door is open to unethical and fraudulent behavior. In this final segment, Dr. Eric Kreuter, Partner at Marks Paneth LLP, defines “bad” behavior by top management, explores its damaging impact and indicates the steps your company should take to ensure a positive working environment. SmartPros Ltd. www.smartpros.com