article thumbnail

Why We Need to Update Financial Reporting for the Digital Era

Harvard Business Review

Since then, we interviewed several chief financial officers (CFOs) of leading technology companies and senior analysts of investment banks who follow technology companies. Analysts increasingly rely on non-GAAP metrics. We asked: (i) what makes the valuation of digital companies more challenging?;

Report 8
article thumbnail

A Blueprint for Digital Companies’ Financial Reporting

Harvard Business Review

In a follow up HBR article , we interviewed several chief financial officers (CFOs) of leading technology companies and senior analysts of investment banks and distilled seven key insights from those discussions. Because investors consider these non-GAAP numbers to be value-relevant, we propose a more direct way for them to be calculated.

Report 8
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

The Dangers of Digital Protectionism

Harvard Business Review

In India, where the number of digital payments is growing over 30% annually , the central bank has ruled that digital payment enablers must ensure that all payments data be stored only on servers within India. India’s finance ministry has proposed such an approach to the central bank. In contrast, the U.S.

article thumbnail

Midsized Firms Can Survive a Cash Crisis

Harvard Business Review

Cash revenues were indeed $200 million for the year, but the correct GAAP net revenues were only $30 million and profit was $2 million. That enabled the company to find a new lender who refinanced $25 million in bank debt. It also helped the company fund a key acquisition. That meant that “patient money” was invested in the firm.

Crisis 8
article thumbnail

GDP Is a Wildly Flawed Measure for the Digital Age

Harvard Business Review

As the market, including customers, employees, and investors, shifts the mix of what is done and what is consumed, this most important and commonly used economic indicator, along with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), tells a concerning story. But when you take a closer look, a customer surplus is emerging.

GDP 8