FEI Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Investing”

Bedrock AI’s Kris Bennatti on adapting language models to filings, disclosure “inflation” and replacing critical audit matters with 💩

Financial Executives International — Wed, 31 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

There is no shortage of hot takes when it comes to the possibility of generative artificial intelligence in finance, especially when it comes to consultants or vendors talking about the ways it can be leveraged by large enterprises in accounting and financial reporting. But like in many instances, first mover advantage usually belongs to investors leveraging new technologies as a window into the balance sheet.
For example, Bedrock AI is a startup that uses artificial intelligence to read financial disclosures and apply a machine-learned risk assessment tool.
Bedrock AI’s CEO Kris Bennatti has a unique perspective on the rise of AI in accounting and disclosure, having a background in data science, corporate governance as well as being a CPA.
In this episode we speak with Ms. Benatti about how AI can navigate a world of "over disclosure" along with ideas regarding how the current financial reporting industry will need to adapt.

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Special Guest: Kris Bennatti.

Your Cash Flows Don't Make Any Sense

Financial Executives International — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0500

When it comes to public company disclosures, the statement of cash flows does not receive a great amount of attention. Seemingly a straightforward accounting of a company’s cash position, many preparers and investors spend more time debating the makeup of the balance sheet or income statement.

But for Counterpoint Global’s Michael Mauboussin, anyone that treats the cash flow statement as an “afterthought” is making a mistake. In his new research piece titled “Categorizing for Clarity”, he argues that the cash flow statement needs to be completely overhauled to keep pace with the ways that companies absorb and pay out their cash positions.

In this episode we speak to Mr. Mauboubissin about his proposals (which can be found in the episode’s show notes) and the issues that a confused cash flow statement brings up for both prepares and investors.

Categorizing for Clarity
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Special Guest: Michael J. Mauboussin.

Episode 60: Sustainability Disclosure "Must Be Done" With Existing Rules

Financial Executives International — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Financial executives in the US are waiting for a new set of rules focused on sustainability reporting that’s expected to come from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before the end of the year. That could mean a great deal of resources and time for the preparer community to adapt to any new standards.

But sustainability reporting doesn’t necessarily need to be laden with new rules and a lot can be accomplished within the existing frameworks. That’s the argument of David Pitt Watson, one of the leaders of the Climate Accounting Project: an informal group of finance and investment executives attempting to advance the ESG accounting and reporting dialogue out of the UK.

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mr. Pitt Watson about his hopes for ESG reporting in the US, the usefulness of existing rules and the challenges of accounting and reporting carbon emissions.

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Special Guest: David Pitt-Watson.

Episode 7: Five Years Later: Learning the Lessons of the JOBS Act

Financial Executives International — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:00:00 -0400

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) was signed into law five years ago this week with hope that removing burdensome disclosure requirements and encouraging the use of crowdfunding tools would spur new business startups to eventually grow into large public companies.

The Financial Executive Research Foundation, in partnership with Donnelly Financial Solutions, is preparing to publish a white paper this month on the JOBS Act, whether is has changed the IPO market and how the law could change in the next five years.

In this second podcast on the subject, we speak with Professor Reena Aggarwal, Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Financial Markets and Policy. Dr. Aggarwal, specializes in capital raising, initial public offering and corporate governance, discusses what lessons financial executives should learn regarding the first five years of the JOBS Act.

Special Guest: Dr. Reena Aggarwal.