Through the years with the controller, then Financial Executive.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Financial executive magazine@ 75

This is part of a series compiled by the editors that highlights some key developments in the internal and external environment for financial executives by looking back at articles published in past issues of the magazine. Featured here: 1934 (the first year), 1937, 1973, 1984 and 2001.

1934, December The Controller: Editorial Comment.

"As the calendar year draws to a close, controllers may look back with a sense of satisfaction on a period of exceptional accomplishment. From every side during the past twelve months, has been heard the comment--and usually from an outside source--that at no time have greater opportunities for service to his company been presented to the controller.

"The vast changes in business procedures and practices brought about by new legislation of an economic and financial character with the accompanying responsibilities in avoiding pitfalls have placed on the controller an exceptionally heavy burden.

"The coming twelve months will without doubt, present even greater problems and opportunities."

1937, December The Controller: Editorial Comment, by Henry C. Perry, President, Controllers Institute of America.

"At this season of the year men with real purpose in life are known to lift up the mirror for an honest reflection of their progress, and by resolution or otherwise fix a goal for the year ahead. This is a process of mental activity, a balancing of accomplishment with opportunity, in which the controller's mind excels because he is trained to first get the facts. Like the mind of science, his is one of high ideals--modest because it recognizes that there are many things it does not know; discriminating for it tests and selects, or rejects, as the test may tell; and honest because it seeks neither to deceive nor be deceived.

"The controller's respect for facts and the intelligent use of them largely determines his place in life. When his directors gather around the table to discuss corporate affairs it is usual for them to speak of the business with accuracy and for the listeners to believe that they speak the truth, because the controller has supplied them with the product of his fact-finding mind."

1973, December The Controller: Editorial Comment by George Hob-good, Editor and Publisher.

"Policy views toward foreign direct investment are becoming increasingly polarized, at least in the United States. On the one hand, some view multinational firms as breaking down market imperfections and increasing the validity...