PYMNTS

AUGUST 6, 2018

It will never be said of Apple that they lacked a flair for the dramatic – and hitting the U.S. public market’s first $1 trillion market cap two decades after it stood on the brink of bankruptcy was a pretty good twist as far as endings go. Not all twist endings are good in payments and commerce, however. The consumers who thought they were buying from a real merchant only to find that it was a fraudster surely don’t like that last-minute reversal.

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Sales accounted accountant Account 64

Katz,Sapper&Miller

AUGUST 10, 2018

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended, creates a five-step framework for entities to determine when and how much revenue should be recognized. The first article in the ‘Dissecting the New Revenue Recognition Guidance’ series discusses step 1, identifying the contract(s) with customers. This article focuses on step 2, identifying the performance obligations in the contract.

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accounting standards Account accountant accounted 40

PYMNTS

AUGUST 6, 2018

Billboards are not going gently into that good night. In fact, the old-fashioned form of outdoor advertising is winning over digital marketing heavyweights and finding ways to thrive in the online world. Examples abound. Amid data sharing and online privacy controversies, Facebook recently promoted on billboards what Bloomberg called the social media operator’s “new approach to user safety and privacy.

Technology 62

Technology New York accountant accounted 62

PYMNTS

AUGUST 8, 2018

When it comes to the topic of future proofing, WePay Co-founder Rich Aberman told Karen Webster for this week’s edition of Unscripted Podcast, one should take all claims with an appropriate grain of salt. Depending on how long of a view one takes, the future will eventually find ways to turn left unexpectedly. But, he said, when it comes to the point-of-sale (POS) and future-proofing, an extremely important sea change has taken place.

Retail 60

Retail Gaming Sales Start-ups 60

Speaker: Danny Gassaway and Wayne Richards

Finance leaders are prioritizing efficiency and digital transformation, yet many hesitate to automate due to uncertainty. Without a clear understanding of its impact, organizations risk falling behind competitors who are leveraging automation to drive productivity and cost savings. Join Wayne Richards and Danny Gassaway from AvidXchange for a practical guide on bringing accounts payable (AP) automation to your organization.

Finance

PYMNTS

AUGUST 6, 2018

Grubhub made news a couple weeks ago when it simultaneously delivered a very strong Q2 2018 earnings report and announced the acquisition of LevelUp. The focus then and the subsequent coverage since has been on the positive impact of the LevelUp acquisition on Grubhub’s ability to diversify its platform offerings. With LevelUp, Grubhub can now offer restaurants that are part of its network order ahead/pickup in-store and new CRM/loyalty initiatives to their mobile wallets using LevelUp’s white l

Technology 50

Technology Start-ups Sales Washington 50

PYMNTS

AUGUST 8, 2018

In FinTech ‘s never-ending path to combating friction, B2B solution providers often take one of two approaches: design a holistic solution that allows a company to entirely replace an entire function with a single, streamlined tool, or design a solution that zeroes in on one particular point of friction that can seamlessly integrate into an organization’s existing operations and systems.

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accounts payable B2B Technology accounted 48

PYMNTS

AUGUST 6, 2018

Digitally native brands are trying on a new brick-and-mortar model for size: Instead of opening the doors to cavernous stores, they are opting to create smaller-format locations. When Indochino made the transition from a digital-only to an omnichannel retailer, for example, the Canadian fashion brand opted to open smaller stores called showrooms, where customers can shop for made-to-order formalwear.

Retail 47

Retail 47

PYMNTS

AUGUST 7, 2018

Corporate travel platform Concur , owned by SAP , has integrated listings from home-sharing service Airbnb into its platform. A recent announcement from Concur said Concur Travel will now show listings available from Airbnb directly within its platform, making it the only corporate travel solution to do so, the company said. Airbnb listings will now appear alongside traditional hotels within the online travel booking solution operated by SAP Concur.

Travel Expense Management 47

Travel Expense Management Expense Management B2B 47

PYMNTS

AUGUST 7, 2018

“How about waking up in the morning and asking Google Home or Amazon Alexa, or your mobile phone if you’re on the go, ‘Hey Google, hey Amazon, what are my deals for the day?’” asked Glenn Fodor, SVP and head of Information and Analytics Solutions at First Data. A new generation of retailers are making use of these new forms of customer data, and applying advanced technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to anticipate the types of products their customers will want to buy

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Retail Education Technology 46

PYMNTS

AUGUST 8, 2018

Starbucks brewed up a swirl of cryptocurrency intrigue last week. The coffee chain said it is among the companies that will work with Intercontinental Exchange’s planned digital asset company, Bakkt , “to create an integrated platform that enables consumers and institutions to buy, sell, store and spend digital assets on a seamless global network.”.

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Retail 46

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Technology

PYMNTS

AUGUST 7, 2018

Alternative lending player Skippr has landed new funding, a sign that investors are still supportive of the industry after concerns were raised over alternative finance’s high interest rates. Reports in the Australian Financial Review Monday (Aug. 6) said Skippr raised $11.8 million in debt and equity financing from SocietyOne and Andy Taylor, co-founder of Douugh.

accounting and finance 46

accounting and finance Finance bookkeeping Technology 46

PYMNTS

AUGUST 6, 2018

China has ordered a lockdown of Beijing’s financial district Monday (August 6) to prevent individuals from protesting a crisis in the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending marketplace. According to a report in the Financial Times , hundreds of police officers and security guards gathered near the offices of banking and securities regulators, as well as the entrance to the underground train stop for the financial district.

Finance 46

Finance Start-ups Government 46

PYMNTS

AUGUST 7, 2018

Visa announced Tuesday (August 7) that it has made an investment in and inked a partnership with Behalf, an Israeli startup. In a press release, Visa said the investment and partnership is aimed at supporting small business growth via easy-to-access capital and financing. Behalf provides working capital solutions for small businesses and flexible financing for business purchases.

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Finance B2B 45

PYMNTS

AUGUST 9, 2018

U.S. Bank is reportedly looking to sell Elan, its card processing business, reported Fintech Futures. According to the report, Finastra, FIS and Fiserv are in the running to acquire the unit from U.S. Bank. Elan processes credit cards for 1,800 banks in the U.S., providing payment services, credit card issuing, prepaid card and ATM services as well as debit card processing.

Technology 45

Technology 45

Speaker: Jennifer Hill

Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.

payroll

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

As the digital economy expands, notions of ownership and loyalty change. The so-called sharing and gig economies enable consumers and workers to use products and take jobs without full commitment. Now a young company in Germany called Grover hopes to use a fresh investment worth about $47 million to expand its business of offering rentals of phones, consumer electronics, drones, gaming gear and other products to consumers and startups.

Gaming 44

Gaming Retail New York Education 44

PYMNTS

AUGUST 9, 2018

Businesses, get ready: The phishers are paying more attention to you. No company has ever been completely safe from criminals, whether it’s the type that steals in person or the hackers who do it digitally. But there is mounting evidence that phishers are turning more attention to enterprises and away from individuals — and at a time when pretty much every industry is moving away from a reliance on analog processes and toward more digitalization.

B2B 44

B2B Technology Education Maine 44

PYMNTS

AUGUST 8, 2018

Warnings from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have enterprises worried about cybersecurity — specifically, concerns about ransomware attacks. Business Email Compromise scams continue to grow and steal more corporate money than ever before. Phishing emails — 93 percent of which include ransomware, according to ITProPortal — should by no means be ignored.

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accounted Account accountant B2B 44

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

Positive Technologies researchers Leigh-Anne Galloway and Tim Yunusov are warning that new lower-cost payment systems could hurt companies because of security flaws that could enable hackers to steal credit card data or change the value of what people are purchasing. CNET reported the researchers released their findings during the Black Hat security conference being held this week in Las Vegas, saying hackers are targeting cheap card readers, which have gained in popularity because they are easy

Sales 44

Sales Technology 44

Speaker: Sierre Lindgren

Fraud is a battle that every organization must face – it’s no longer a question of “if” but “when.” Every organization is a potential target for fraud, and the finance department is often the bullseye. From cleverly disguised emails to fraudulent payment requests, the tactics of cybercriminals are advancing rapidly. Drawing insights from real-world cases and industry expertise, we’ll explore the vulnerabilities in your processes and how to fortify them effectively.

Finance

PYMNTS

AUGUST 7, 2018

It can happen at the office. It can happen on Facebook and Pinterest. It can happen on a well-crafted blog designed to appeal to particular hobbyists, or an event and ticketing website, or an online platform devoted to travel. It can happen pretty much anywhere, given the right tools. And the people who try it seem to really, really like it — which signals good news for merchants and payments providers in the coming years.

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Retail Maine Technology 44

PYMNTS

AUGUST 8, 2018

Successful innovation is all about operationalization. The good news is that the path to operationalizing innovation looks remarkably similar for all financial institutions (FIs). Whether FIs are big or small, operationalizing innovation comes down to executing on the same four key tenets , starting with making innovation a mindset. FIs must take this mindset and bring it into every aspect of their processes, operationalizing it to align with a tangible business agenda and inform the other thre

Technology 43

Technology accounted Account accountant 43

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

A new report has found that over 33 billion records will be stolen by cybercriminals in 2023 alone. The new findings gathered by Juniper Research and published in its report, “The Future of Cybercrime & Security: Threat Analysis, Impact Assessment & Leading Vendors 2018-2023,” shows that there will be a staggering increase of 175 percent in cybercrime in 2023.

Technology 43

Technology 43

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

Singapore’s FinTech scene is booming: Funding for the burgeoning sector in the island country topped nearly a billion dollars in 2017, reaching $983.6 million that year. Hong Kong, by comparison, saw $596.8 million in funding for FinTechs at the time. Singapore overtook Hong Kong in FinTech funding in 2016. In that year, Singapore pulled ahead of Hong Kong with $310.5 million in funding compared to Hong Kong’s $191.2 million.

Education 42

Education Government B2B 42

Speaker: Debra L. Robinson

CPAs know the drill: taxes, compliance, rinse, repeat. But what about the sneaky cash flow that’s quietly messing with your organization’s success? It’s time to step into the spotlight and expose the “dirty little secrets” of cash flow to fuel strategic growth. By upskilling your accounting practices and shifting focus from tax compliance to the strategic movement of money, you can transform your role from reactive accountant to proactive financial strategist.

CPA

PYMNTS

AUGUST 8, 2018

There are brands that claim to take the customer experience to the max — and then there are brands that redefine what exactly the max means. Chubbies is among the latter. Chubbies takes its customer community seriously, and it makes it very clear that this is well beyond a marketing ploy. When one teenaged customer wrote to the brand to complain about his beloved Chubbies shorts, which had been pilfered from his locker by a local bully, Chubbies sprang into action.

Retail 42

Retail Education Start-ups Finance 42

PYMNTS

AUGUST 7, 2018

It was once the (stereotypical) realm of ambitious teenagers and refuse-to-grow-up rockers and stoners who either needed extra bucks or found it too … uh … challenging to land better jobs. These days, however, food delivery means digital technology, entrepreneurship and global acquisition activity — and reasonable questions about how this will all shake out in the coming few years.

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Virginia Entertainment Sales accounting and finance 42

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

To help drive customers to its online ordering system, McDonald’s is rolling out a free food “for life” promotion. The winner will score a McGold Card that gives two free meals a week over a 50-year period, USA Today reported. According to the contest’s website , the prize is worth $52,350. The contest kicks off on Friday (August 10) and concludes later in the month.

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Retail 42

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

Brick-and-mortar retailers have sought to reduce their retail footprint in hard times, and Mattress Firm, Inc. is no exception. The brand could close between 600 to 1,000 of its 3,000 locations this year, according to some predictions – and is reportedly considering bankruptcy, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters. Steinhoff International Holdings NV, which acquired the company in 2016, has reportedly sought to restructure some of its subsidiaries’ debt.

Retail 42

Retail New Hampshire Real Estate Virginia 42

Speaker: Aaron Berson

Managing spend is more than a cost cutting exercise – it's a pathway to smarter decisions that unlock efficiency and drive growth. By understanding and refining the spending process, financial leaders can empower their organizations to achieve more with less. Explore the art of balancing financial control with operational growth. From uncovering hidden inefficiencies to designing workflows that scale your business, we’ll share strategies to align your organization’s spending with its strategic g

Spend Management

PYMNTS

AUGUST 7, 2018

Development officials in Toronto recently signed a development agreement involving a “smart city” concept backed by Google’s parent company – but the project still faces doubts from civic officials and citizens. The project involves Waterfront Toronto — a government-created organization focused on renewal of the city’s waterfront — and Sidewalk Labs , the urban innovation company operated by Alphabet.

Real Estate 42

Real Estate Government Technology 42

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

Traditional retail locations, ranging from fashion and home furnishings to hardware and department stores, have been forced to make significant changes in the face of heightened competition from eCommerce giants like Amazon and omnichannel powerhouses, like Walmart and its online unit, Jet.com. In many cases, the stores have been slow to develop their own eCommerce strategies.

Retail 41

Retail New York Florida Sales 41

PYMNTS

AUGUST 10, 2018

Business software company Intuit has secured a patent for bitcoin payment processing, according to Coindesk reports on Thursday (Aug. 9). The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published the patent , which describes a method to process bitcoin payments sent via text message that includes payment amount and validation based on a virtual payer account maintained by the payment service.

quickbooks 41

quickbooks accounting and finance accounting software Finance 41

PYMNTS

AUGUST 8, 2018

Global tech startup Beam Wallet is ready to launch a new mobile payment solution, which will link smartphones and blockchain technology to enable faster and simpler retail payments. “There are examples where adoption has been less slow,” said Beam Co-founder and CEO Serdar Nurmammedov, according to VentureBeat. “In China, 90 percent of consumers use WeChat as payment for offline purchases.

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Retail Technology Sales 41

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Bleisure travel — where employees combine work and leisure — has been around since the advent of corporate travel and is here to stay. Successful bleisure policies strike a balance between employee preferences and company goals — workers report a 64% improvement in work-life balance, while companies benefit from reduced travel costs and increased workforce innovation.