Saying Walmart is the biggest IT investor in retail might raise a few eyebrows, but most people would likely shrug their shoulders and respond with "well that makes sense." But according to the latest research from IDC, Walmart is not only the biggest IT spender in retail but the biggest investor in IT across industries worldwide.

Balancing daily operations and long-term strategy is at the forefront of every chief financial officer's mind, and in a business environment that is often riddled with a multitude of daily challenges and high demands on time, a focus on long-term success is required to maintain a company's competitive edge.

The United States holds the unenviable position of having a higher statutory corporate tax rate than any of our major trading partners - and all OECD countries. Among 135 nations, the U.S. rate is exceeded only by the United Arab Emirates.

Senior executives at businesses of all sizes understand all too well that today's global economy is still not adequately protected against cyberattacks, despite years of effort and spending in the multibillion-dollar range each year. But until recently, many CFOs may not have been considered an integral part of an organization's security team or understood how to respond to security risks and the implications for their organizations. But times have changed and many CFOs are being called upon to help promote cyber security and identify threats.

Analyst Insight: Automation and efficiency in corporate accounts payable is opening up new opportunities that simply are not possible in a paper-based environment. Chief among these is the opportunity to design payment programs that accelerate funds to suppliers – and provide significant working capital benefits to buyers as well. – Scott Pezza, Principal Analyst at Blue Hill Research

PrimeRevenue Inc., a provider of software and services for financing working capital, has signed a strategic partnership with Singapore-based financier ApexPeak.

Competition for job-creating foreign direct investment (FDI) is brutal these days in the European Union. Although it used to be the world's biggest recipient of FDI, its global share has now fallen from almost 29 percent in 2011 to 17 percent in 2013, according to UNCTAD. With European investment subdued, banks reining in lending and economies struggling to grow, foreigners with fat wallets are more than usually needed. Even France has engaged this year in a charm offensive to lure them in. So a recent study suggesting that only 12 percent of American companies with operations in France rate it positively as an investment destination is ruffling feathers.