Executive's Guide to Solvency II

Praise for Executive's Guide to Fair Value: Profiting from the New Valuation Rules «The advent of fair value reporting is not your Momma's (or your Papa's) kind of accounting. If you're a financial professional above the age of twenty-five who is working in industry, read this book. From choosing a fair value specialist to the perils of 'made as instructed' valuations to purchase price allocations to impairment testing to that SEC tripwire, customer relationships, fair value expert Al King gets it right. And he does so with neither jargon nor literary anesthesia. As a former CFO myself, all I can say is WOW!» -Warren D. Miller, CFA, ASA, CMA, CPA, Cofounder, Beckmill Research A hands-on guide for financial executives needing to understand the appraisal process Executive's Guide to Fair Value: Profiting from the New Valuation Rules brings senior level executives up to speed on what fair value really means. This new book addresses a full range of issues facing auditors and executives, including litigation and the «true» determination of value, estimating the value of working capital, and how to estimate the value and life of intangible assets. Complete with advice on the latest FASB rules and regulations, Executive's Guide to Fair Value: Profiting from the New Valuation Rules provides the most up-to-date and reliable information on: The latest fair value rules and how they impact both preparers and users of financial statements The role and responsibility of the appraisal specialist, including best practice tips for choosing and evaluating an appraiser Testing customer relationships for impairment A thorough knowledge of what fair value accounting is and how it can impact your corporation and its profitability Practical applications, including incentive compensation and equity-based compensation In basic, nontechnical language, Executive's Guide to Fair Value: Profiting from the New Valuation Rules will help all financial executives and auditors succeed in understanding the new fair value accounting rules that corporations must now follow. The result is a resource that professionals can rely on to understand the importance of valuation and the concepts that define it.

Your organization can save and thrive in the cloud with this first non-technical guide to cloud computing for business leaders In less than a decade Google, Amazon, and Salesforce.com went from unknown ideas to powerhouse fixtures in the economic landscape; in even less time offerings such as Linkedin, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and many others also carved out important roles; in less than five years Apple's iTunes became the largest music retailer in North America. They all share one key strategic decision – each of these organizations chose to harness the power of cloud computing to power their drives to dominance. With roots in supercomputing and many other technical disciplines, cloud computing is ushering in an entirely new economic reality – technology-enabled enterprises built on low cost, flexible, and limitless technical infrastructures. The Executive's Guide to Cloud Computing reveals how you can apply the power of cloud computing throughout your enterprise, giving members of the C-suite a detailed look at: Why cloud computing must be a top priority on your company's IT roadmaps How the drive for scale, lower costs and greater agility is making cloud computing a fiscal and technological imperative The relationship between cloud computing and other relevant IT initiatives The strategic implications of cloud computing for the enterprise Where to begin and how to get started integrating cloud computing into your existing operations Now you can harness cloud computing's potential for your organization. Executive's Guide to Cloud Computing shows you how.

A straightforward guide to the principles of effective fundraising operations An Executive Guide to Fundraising Operations provides fundraisers with easy-to-understand approaches to evaluate and address fundraising operations needs and opportunities. This guide simplifies and focuses on the analysis of problems and needs, allowing a quick return to fundraising. Provides the essential framework to improve and innovate development operations Includes dozens of practical tools, including sample policies for data, database, reporting, and business processes Offers sample workflow illustrations for gift processing and acknowledgment, report specification, and other processes Features sample reports for campaign management, performance management, and exception management Delivers effective calculators for operational rules of thumb No matter what the department is called, most fundraisers struggle with evaluating operational issues. This guide leads you through principles of effective fundraising operations, simplifies complicated topics, and offers solutions to some of the most vexing operations dilemmas.

Essential guidance on the revised COSO internal controls framework Need the latest on the new, revised COSO internal controls framework? Executive's Guide to COSO Internal Controls provides a step-by-step plan for installing and implementing effective internal controls with an emphasis on building improved IT as well as other internal controls and integrating better risk management processes. The COSO internal controls framework forms the basis for establishing Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and internal controls specialist Robert Moeller looks at topics including the importance of effective systems on internal controls in today's enterprises, the new COSO framework for effective enterprise internal controls, and what has changed since the 1990s internal controls framework. Written by Robert Moeller, an authority in internal controls and IT governance Practical, no-nonsense coverage of all three dimensions of the new COSO framework Helps you change systems and processes when implementing the new COSO internal controls framework Includes information on how ISO internal control and risk management standards as well as COBIT can be used with COSO internal controls Other titles by Robert Moeller: IT Audit, Control, and Security, Executives Guide to IT Governance Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, every corporation has to assert that their internal controls are adequate and public accounting firms certifying those internal controls are attesting to the adequacy of those same internal controls, based on the COSO internal controls framework. Executive's Guide to COSO Internal Controls thoroughly considers improved risk management processes as part of the new COSO framework; the importance of IT systems and processes; and risk management techniques.

How-to guidance for defining and implementing a complex project performance environment Sharing his forty-five years of project management experience, best-selling author and industry guru Robert Wysocki presents a straightforward, enlightening, and pragmatic guide to help senior managers make the transition to an organization that profits and thrives on complexity. The first book to discuss practical project management mitigation strategies, Executive's Guide to Project Management presents easy-to-implement infrastructures and processes that will ensure the continued success of your organization and maximize your investment of every project. Collects in one resource all the relevant information for understanding and creating an environment for improved complex project performance A must-read for every member of your senior management team Shows you how to regain responsibility, take action, and skillfully handle complexity to mitigate risk and increase return on project investments It's time for your senior management team to take back control of your investments in projects and programs. Executive's Guide to Project Management shows you how to cultivate your part of the organization so that it can respond to a changing project environment with the infrastructure to support the project and program investment decisions.

A solid introduction to materials management and the tools needed to create a world-class materials management program This nuts-and-bolts guide presents an overview of the inner workings of the materials process, as well as the best practices to achieve a world-class operating system that will help to eliminate ineffective materials management. Coverage includes discussion of material requirements planning, planning parameters, electronic data interchange, and material control graphs and reports, among many other topics. Thorough and practical, Materials Management explains the impact that inadequate inventory control has on a company and how these poor controls can reduce production, cause inefficiencies in labor, create excessive inventory, and increase freight expenses. Stan McDonald (Northville, MI) is an independent consultant on materials management. Throughout his 30-year career, he has held various positions in the supply chain/materials management arena.

Create strong IT governance processes In the current business climate where a tremendous amount of importance is being given to governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), the concept of IT governance is becoming an increasingly strong component. Executive's Guide to IT Governance explains IT governance, why it is important to general, financial, and IT managers, along with tips for creating a strong governance, risk, and compliance IT systems process. Written by Robert Moeller, an authority in auditing and IT governance Practical, no-nonsense framework for identifying, planning, delivering, and supporting IT services to your business Helps you identify current strengths and weaknesses of your enterprise IT governance processes Explores how to introduce effective IT governance principles with other enterprise GRC initiatives Other titles by Robert Moeller: IT Audit, Control, and Security and Brink's Modern Internal Auditing: A Common Body of Knowledge There is strong pressure on corporations to have a good understanding of their IT systems and the controls that need to be in place to avoid such things as fraud and security violations. Executive's Guide to IT Governance gives you the tools you need to improve systems processes through IT service management, COBIT, and ITIL.

Proven strategy for reducing production and operating costs while increasing profits As the growth of the Internet shifts power to consumers, the pressure on companies to keep prices low will continue to mount. Increasingly corporations are relying on «margin management» and supply chain management as a means of keeping prices low while raising profits. Activity-based costing and management (ABC/M) data is key to succeeding in both these critical management strategies. This book explains how executives can effectively use the information furnished by cutting-edge ABC/M systems. The author, an acknowledged expert in the field, clearly defines the ABC/M system and explains how to use the information it provides for best results. He provides a rational framework for understanding the fifteen key defining characteristics of ABC/M and arms readers with an ABC/M Readiness Assessment test along with extremely user-friendly exhibits.

How to identify optimal phase II trial designs Providing a practical guide containing the information needed to make crucial decisions regarding phase II trial designs, A Practical Guide to Designing Phase II Trials in Oncology sets forth specific points for consideration between the statistician and clinician when designing a phase II trial, including issues such as how the treatment works, choice of outcome measure and randomization, and considering both academic and industry perspectives. A comprehensive and systematic library of available phase II trial designs is included, saving time otherwise spent considering multiple manuscripts, and real-life practical examples of using this approach to design phase II trials in cancer are given. A Practical Guide to Designing Phase II Trials in Oncology: Offers a structured and practical approach to phase II trial design. Considers trial design from both an academic and industry perspective. Includes a structured library of available phase II trial designs. Is relevant to both clinical and statistical researchers at all levels Includes real life examples of applying this approach. For those new to trial design, A Practical Guide to Designing Phase II Trials in Oncology will be a unique and practical learning tool, providing an introduction to the concepts behind informed decision making in phase II trials. For more experienced practitioners, the book will offer an overview of new, less familiar approaches to phase II trial design, providing alternative options to those which they may have previously used.

The practical, visual guide to the complex world of options investing loaded with tactics and tips for market success Options provide a diverse, strategic, advantaged approach to trading that can significantly limit the overall risks of a trade or yield additional returns. For many people, investing in options seem so risky that they fail to capitalize on this potentially lucrative opportunity that can unlock doors you would never imagine. The Bloomberg Visual Guide to Options uses full-color charts and other illustrations to help readers understand the mechanics and actionable details of the marketplace and how to profit from options trading. An accessible reference volume for investment professionals of all levels of experience, the book takes a direct and to the point approach to the topic, enhanced by colorful and visually effective graphs and charts of the options market. Discussing the functions of the exchanges, how they work, and the strategies for taking advantage of the market while steering clear of risk, this is the ultimate visual guide to understanding the world of trading options. Immerses readers in the exciting world of options trading through the use of full-color graphs and charts Provides tips, tricks, and real scenarios for successful trading, whether trading in a bull, bear, or neutral market Presents detailed, unique strategies for understanding and succeeding in the real options market Includes special learning aids, such as Key Point Summaries, Do-It-Yourself Exercises, Step-By-Step Instructions, and much more Putting even the most complex options trading issues at your fingertips in an easy-to-understand, readily accessible format, Bloomberg Visual Guide to Options is a must-have trading reference for professional investors.