Features

Power Combination
Steve Williams
The balanced scorecard (BSC) and business intelligence (BI) have complementary value propositions, but most companies look at them as individual endeavors. With proper alignment, BSC and BI initiatives can effectively deliver a performance measurement system that presents an accurate picture of the company’s performance while also providing the business information and analytical tools needed to improve results.

Integrating Governance, Risk, and Reporting to Create Long-term Value
Brian Ballou and Dan L. Heitger
Corporate governance, enterprise risk management (ERM), and business reporting traditionally have been separate issues. For a company to achieve strategic objectives and deliver long-term shareholder value in today’s corporate environment, however, the successful integration of these three items is vital. The challenge many companies face is in designing effective processes and providing their managers with the proper tools for understanding and communicating risk management.

How Strong Are Your Passwords?
David R. Fordham, CMA, CPA
Whether we’re purchasing something online, doing our banking, or logging in to our e-mail at work, the list of passwords we use every day continues to grow. Keeping those passwords safe and free from the prying eyes of identity thieves is becoming more difficult than ever. Here are several tips that will help make your passwords stronger and easier to remember at the same time.

2 + 2 = ?
Suzanne N. Cory, CPA, and Andrew D. Pickard, CPA
Most Americans lack a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of financial literacy. Almost half of the high school students in the country aren’t able to balance a checkbook or answer basic questions about personal financial management. Professionals in accounting, banking, and finance need to get involved in their communities and help educate those around them. The future of the economy may be at stake.

Columns

PERSPECTIVES
FGRC: Seize the opportunity.

IMA
John M. Brausch named IMA Chair-Elect.

IMA News
IMA advocacy efforts spotlight and advance your profession.

Advocacy
IMA’s Small Business Financial and Regulatory Affairs Committee.

TAXES
Who will brave the third rail?

ETHICS
Integrating ethics into the business curriculum.

CERTIFICATION
Changes to the CMA program are on the way.

EXCEL
Subtotal tricks.

Departments

STREETWISE
Supply chain risks: are you prepared?
Keith Russell, 1946–2008
Democrats want tougher reviews of investments by sovereign wealth funds
Books: A whistleblower’s story

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

TECH FORUM
Reports of the demise of XP are premature.

END NOTE
Renaissance nexus.