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There is a passionate and growing effort among funders to focus less on change that is short-term or only at the project or program level; such funders are instead using models that reach across different sectors and approaches and dig deep into root causes, leading to more structural, systemic change. Aiming their efforts at more transformational progress on the challenges facing society today, family foundations and funders are moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Intuitively, many business managers recognize that their decision window has been shrinking with each passing year. Information dissemination has become real-time and on-demand. What is required is an analytical approach that enables management to monitor and measure the development of the important strategic drivers and make decisions with confidence. Learn why ad hoc reporting is failing to fill the gap, the changing role of the modern finance leader, and the three new approaches to attaining deeper financial analytical insight.

The rhyming market maxim “Sell in May and Go Away” describes the phenomenon that stocks have historically underperformed between May and October, and that investors are better off being out of the stock market and in bonds or cash during the summer months, only to return to risk-seeking assets for the more robust November through April period. Historic advantages, however, lack year-over-year persistence and ignore key realities like taxes and re-entry discipline. There are no fundamental drivers that support “selling in May” every year.

Today, the state of the economy, add-on acquisitions, and industry diversity are just a few issues at the forefront of the private equity industry. In this podcast episode, Gretchen Perkins of Huron Capital and Silver Leaf Partners' Kathleen Lauster join BDO's Todd Kinney to discuss these topics and more. Additionally, BDO's Karen Baum discusses the benefits of sell-side due diligence and the evolution of socially responsible investing.Tune into the full episode for a range of insights, including:

President Trump’s renewed interest in raising tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 25% has set off a round of retaliation from China who will strike with its own tariff hikes on U.S. imports. It now appears that a negotiated deal acceptable to both parties is unlikely to be reached in the near term. What are the implications for investors of a prolonged trade war with China, and by extension, with other countries that rely on trade with the United States?

A historic agreement was reached in 2015 when member states of the United Nations came together and signed “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” which included a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs charted a way forward to a just, secure, and sustainable future for people and the planet.

A board chair is perhaps the most important and meaningful job in any family foundation. If you are currently chair—or anticipate that you will be someday—you may find it’s one of the most rewarding roles you will ever have. It’s also a role of great nuance, calling for keen facilitation, leadership, and a healthy dose of self-awareness. Beyond your roles and responsibilities as board chair, there are certain qualities that can make for a more successful and enjoyable experience.

As private equity firms make their operations, and those of the companies they invest in, more technologically savvy, they're finding that true digital transformation requires a shift in mindset.

Many institutional investors have shed their skepticism and are dipping their toes into the crypto market, adding exposure through crypto funds, futures, and other emerging investment options. However, the world of crypto investing is still relatively uncharted territory. It is important to understand what cryptocurrencies are before investing or accounting for them. Organizations that take a step-by-step approach to due diligence and gain experience with small, low-risk projects involving cryptocurrencies may find they present exciting, new opportunities.

Most private equity professionals agree that a bear market correction, which is typically defined as a 20 percent decline in the broader stock market, is in sight. What no one can predict is the next recession’s duration and severity.