The United National Global Compact (UNGC) meeting in London recently focused on anti-corruption initiatives globally.  In recognition of the overall cost to business, and wider economy and society of corrupt practices, principle ten of the UNGC is: "Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery."  

Earlier this week  I corresponded with a veteran of the City (i.e. someone who has survived the downturn) who described himself and his colleagues as gladiators - entering battle every day, enduring existence in a high risk environment – and feeling more bloodied than pre-2008. 

If the recent civil disturbances in England showed the worst side of human nature, the aftemath shows a more positive side.  Both the army of volunteers cleaning up affected areas (Riot Wombles, RiotCleanup)

If a “wrong doing” in your organisation came to light, would it be a road-bump, in which management would quickly figure where things had gone wrong and put corrective action into place straight away, drawing lessons for the better running of the organisation in the future? 

Hi all

I am just going to enrol on the CIMA courses E1 and F1 with BPP.

Could you please advise me, if I should also enrol on the Revision Phase for both of these courses or just enrol in the Exam Practice Phase. 

If I don't enrol in the revision phase, could I ask for a passcard?

 Await for any help as it's been a while since I have studied.

At 00.01 this morning, 1 July 2011, illicitly received or gifted golden coaches may well turn into pumpkins, or certainly costly liabilities, as the UK Bribery Act came into force, highlighting the continued global fight against corruption.

Why is focus on the activities that better help meet corporate objectives, increase performance and provide better motivation, reward and progression prospects for staff restricted in the finance mix?

Hi everyone

 I am looking to build up my knowledge in various specialist fields in the hope that it will assist in career progression to director level eventually (competitive edge and all that!) .

At the moment I would like to hear from anyone that has information regarding  Marine and Aviation finance and insurance considerations.  Also the pros and cons of owning and registering offshore, geographical considerations (vat registration etc)

The United Nations Global Compact network meeting last week was focused on the challenges of operating in conflict affected and high risk areas.  Related to the recent release of a guidance for companies and investors, the discussions were timely, given the unfolding events in the MENA region and the indications that we may well enter more uncertain than stable times.  No-one predicted the sweeping call for change across the region, from Tunisia onwards, nor the conflict that has so quickl

Hello everyone,

I am currently trying to obtain some benchmark data for finance staff to employee ratios. I am looking for the method of communication (paper-based, computer...) and the different functions and their ratios in the finance department as well.

If we were thinking of offering outsourcing to UK companies for their finance departments in another country, what pitfalls or problems (legal or otherwise) might we encounter?

We already have a site set up in Bulgaria offering support outsourcing but a lot of clients are approaching us about taking on finance roles. So we already have the main things in place, Branch, location, staff, and management team.

We have a very experienced finance team in the UK also which I manage.But what things might we not have thought of?

Female finance professionals are six times less likely than men to make it to the top, according to our latest research. So why are women still under-represented at the top, especially when it has been proven that having women in senior roles is linked to stronger financial performance of organisations?

One result of the credit crunch, as Gillian Tett has recently written in the FT Weekend, has been a “celebrity” focus on the crisis and the ethical shortcomings.

Many of us use excel in our daily life either as a student or in our workplace.

The practical questions which are asked in Financial and Performance papers are much standardized. They are either in a tabular format or in a column format which is in reality how we face as management accountants. 

If CIMA can arrange to conduct these examinations on a PC using MS Excel isn’t it going to benefit both the students as well as the institute?

Join me talking about 'Pay and prospects — the big issues for women in finance'? 24 September, 1pm—4pm on Guardian Careers

Hi All,

Could do with some advice!

My question really is how difficult is it to study the two financial papers, 1 and 2 (or P7 and P8 under the old system), at the same time? 

I know that it is not recommended by CIMA or BPP to do these at the same time but I don't really want to do one this May and then wait another six months to have a stab at the other.