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Why We Need to Update Financial Reporting for the Digital Era

Harvard Business Review

Digital companies, however, consider scientists’ and software workers’ and product development teams’ time to be the company’s most valuable resource. This notion, that risk is a desirable feature, can seem like sacrilege to anyone who’s taken an introductory finance course.

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A Blueprint for Digital Companies’ Financial Reporting

Harvard Business Review

Currently, firms’ first report net profits and then back out many of these one-time items to present a non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) profit number. Because investors consider these non-GAAP numbers to be value-relevant, we propose a more direct way for them to be calculated.

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The Dangers of Digital Protectionism

Harvard Business Review

These solutions lie at the intersection of technology development by companies and policy formulation by governments. India’s finance ministry has proposed such an approach to the central bank. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), developed through a principles-based approach, are followed by over 100 countries.

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Calculating the Market Value of Leadership

Harvard Business Review

In recent years, investors have learned that defining the market value of a firm cannot just be based on finances. GAAP and FASB standards require financial reporting of earnings, cash flow, and profitability – all measures that investors have traditionally examined.