This is the third article in the series related to benchmarks and their impacts on the behavior of those subjected to those benchmarks. In the first article we addressed how benchmarks could incentivize individuals to do things that might not be in the best overall interests of an organization. In the second article we discussed specific examples of where benchmarks had created aberrant outcomes and linked these to how the benchmarks were derived, implemented, and monitored. In this article I have changed tack and as opposed to pointing out the risks and concerns and discussing where things went off the rails, I have provided some tips on how to minimize the risk of problematic outcomes of benchmarks that are in place or are created and implemented by an organization. I touched on how certain benchmarks can lead to problematic outcomes across a myriad of spheres such as safety, financial reporting, retaining employees, etc. In that article, I said that the follow-on article would provide some additional and more detailed examples of where things went wrong along with some analysis.

Internal Audit teams are going through some major transformations as they look to move away from a traditional approach comprising sample-based testing and an Annual Plan, to a more progressive and digital approach that is more responsive to risk.

Check out some clips of our latest fireside chat highlighting the non-profit sector.

Check out some clips of the newest updates from BDO on the current International Financial Reporting Standards.

Marie Gardner highlights key points from the recent ICAS intangibles webinar. Participants from across Europe attended an ICAS webinar on intangibles, held in partnership with the University of Ferrara, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) and the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS).

In my previous article, I covered some of the challenges I encountered during my career that caused me to question issues surrounding benchmarks and the process of creating benchmarks. I touched on how certain benchmarks can lead to problematic outcomes across a myriad of spheres such as safety, financial reporting, retaining employees, etc. In that article, I said that the follow-on article would provide some additional and more detailed examples of where things went wrong along with some analysis.

An anecdotal look at how behavior follows what we measure and how this can lead to aberrant and/or potentially fraudulent outcomes.  Guido van Drunen is a forensic accounting expert, with decades of experience in high-profile investigative work. Having recently retired from KPMG he is writing a series of articles about how he has seen benchmarks drive behavior – often with aberrant or potentially perverse outcomes. The purpose of these articles is to make readers think more deeply and maybe differently about key metrics, how they are created, how they are measured and what behaviors they encourage.

CAW Network USA teams up with BDO USA’s IFRS Experts.

Yuri Cataldo, emerging tech strategist and best-selling author, explains what the main buzzwords mean and why they’re important to accountants.

Murray Buckman, tax expert and educator presented for Northern California’s Corporate Accountability webinar on June 17th. Murray took a non-political view with his observations of three public companies at the center of highly criticized industries in regards to their use of offshore companies.

Since 2017, the auditing profession has been plagued by high-profile corporate failures that have implicated auditors. As a result of state capture revelations, share price collapses, and corruption allegations, the South African public continues to question how audit can be relied upon to protect its investments.

We are living in the age of misinformation. Kerry McGuire CA, Director of Global Data Design at YouGov, tells Ryan Herman why data should be democratised and disseminated to all.

Some companies have pivoted on a dime, while others need to strategize for a ‘new normal’

Before 2016, it was rare to hear anyone talking about ‘frictionless trade’ or ‘border checks’ over a drink. The fact that 95% of our imports and exports flow through our ports seemed of little consequence. But the EU referendum result has meant people who hitherto had little interest in trade deals, now have a view on anything from WTO rules to tariffs.