CFRI has never been more important.

• Author: Hollein, Marie N.
• Position: FROM THE PRESIDENT - Current Financial Reporting Issues - Conference notes

Financial Executives International is hosting the 32nd annual Current Financial Reporting Issues (CFRI) Conference on Nov. 18-19, 2013 at the New York Marriott Marquis. This is a period of real change for the industry, and I am proud to say that this year's CFRI brings together the most important industry practitioners, regulators and accounting standard setters in one place to discuss several very important topics.

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One and one discussions during CFRI are also a key part of the experience, and the chance to see your industry colleagues and meet new contacts has always proven to be an invaluable experience.

Important Subjects and Important Leaders

Keynote speakers at this year's CFRI will offer insight into the future of the domestic and international economy. Rana Foroohar, assistant managing editor for Time magazine will discuss all the things that worry her (and some that don't) about the global economy. You can see a sneak peek at some of her thoughts in this issue. Our other keynote speaker, Paul Albergo, Director, News Coverage, Bloomberg BNA, will focus his remarks on potential political and fiscal landmines in the domestic agenda.

The entire program features an incredible mix of industry leaders such as Financial Accounting Standards Board Chairman Russell Golden, International Accounting Standards Board Chairman Hans Hoogervorst, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chief Accountant Paul Beswick, Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller, The Boeing Company, Diana Sands, and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Member Jay Hanson.

A Key Time for Our Industry

This year's CFRI is focused on economic challenges and regulatory reform, and the backdrop on those two themes could not be more dramatic.

In Washington, the government will hit a deadline to increase the nation's debt ceiling this month or face default. On the rulemaking front, the recent closing of the comment deadline on the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) leases proposal will mean that standard setters will need to absorb significant feedback. Thus far, FASB and IASB have received over 530...