Internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) and cyber security risks are growing concerns for executives responsible for reporting corporate financial performance, says a new survey by U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP.Asked what kept them up at night, topping the executives' list was ICFR (30 percent, compared to 21 percent in 2016) and cyber security (22 percent, compared to just 13 percent in 2016), according to a survey of more than 500 executives at KPMG's 27^th Annual Accounting and Financial Reporting Symposium.

"The focus on internal controls is especially important to ensure that reported financial information has the appropriate checks to ensure reliability and accuracy," said John Ebner, KPMG's national managing partner – Audit. "It should be central to all financial reporting efforts.

Ebner added: "It's also noteworthy that 97 percent of financial executives were either somewhat or very concerned about cyber security. Companies need to take a proactive approach toward cyber security as a top-line business issue, which should be practiced company-wide."Also, the survey found that two-thirds of financial reporting executives say they have begun the process to adopt the new lease accounting standard."The new lease accounting standard is the next big change in financial reporting, bringing operating leases on to the balance sheet to improve transparency and comparability," said Ebner. "Companies must review, analyze and record every contract that is or may contain a lease, and leading companies will establish a centralized repository in order to improve tracking."Other findings include:

• Some 63 percent of executives surveyed said their organizations invested in technology specifically to enhance financial reporting and 36 percent said they are struggling to keep pace with the rate of technological innovation in their sectors.
• 33 percent said including Critical Audit Matters (CAMs) in the Auditor's report will help offer new insights into their company.