Listing of AFP News Articleshttp://www.afponline.org/ArticleRss.ashxFri, 24 May 2013 06:20:15 -0400Fri, 24 May 2013 06:20:15 -0400Brice Hill, VP Finance at Intel and for five years its chief of FP&A, offers a personal look at financial planning and analysis based on his recent presentation, "Advice I Wish I Received in 2004."http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Intel_Exec__How_to_Succeed_in_FP_A_%E2%80%93_What_You_Need_to_Know.htmlThu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Intel_Exec__How_to_Succeed_in_FP_A_%E2%80%93_What_You_Need_to_Know.htmlBuyers everywhere face pressure to deliver cost savings for their organizations. The problem is that too many eyes become focused on stated vendor cost rather than Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/FP_A__Calculating_the_Total_Cost_of_Ownership.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/FP_A__Calculating_the_Total_Cost_of_Ownership.htmlMany mid-sized companies are reluctant to switch to SaaS. The Doe Run Company decided to switch anyway -- here's why.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Case_Study__FP_A_Group_Overcomes_Hurdles_in_Switch_to_SaaS.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Case_Study__FP_A_Group_Overcomes_Hurdles_in_Switch_to_SaaS.htmlThe May issue of FP&A Newsletter looks at advanced spreadsheet functions, switching to SaaS, a case study from Microsoft, and more.http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/May_2013_FP_A_Newsletter.htmlThu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/May_2013_FP_A_Newsletter.htmlMany FP&A professionals spend the majority of their day manually grinding through spreadsheets, wasting time on data manipulation instead of focusing on analysis. Certain advanced spreadsheet functions can help reduce time spent collecting and managing data and redirect that time to more productive ends.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Advanced_Spreadsheet_Functions_for_FP_A_Professionals.htmlWed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Advanced_Spreadsheet_Functions_for_FP_A_Professionals.htmlMany aspects of FP&A are fundamental across industries and markets. To the extent that the business models of industries differ, however, so too does the analysis. In traditional banking, two unique aspects of the business require significant analytical attention: the interest margin and asset quality.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Up_Close__FP_A_in_Banking.htmlTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Up_Close__FP_A_in_Banking.htmlLONDON -- Members of the newly-formed London FP&A Club gathered April 17 for their second event in the City of London. More than 20 finance professionals were present to hear Dr. Peter Bunce, director of the Beyond Budgeting Round Table, discuss the beyond-budgeting approach to financial planning and analysis. News about the forthcoming FP&A certification program also was unveiled.http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/London_FP_A_Club%E2%80%99s_Second_Meeting_Journeys_Beyond_Budgeting.htmlMon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/London_FP_A_Club%E2%80%99s_Second_Meeting_Journeys_Beyond_Budgeting.htmlThis was another week where the equity markets touched new or multi-year highs, the bond market sold off a bit, and the economic outlook is lukewarm at best. Time will tell if we have finally moved to a period of determining how fast the U.S. economy is growing, rather than asking: is the U.S. economy growing?http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Lukewarm_Outlook_.htmlMon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Lukewarm_Outlook_.html A sharp drop in the price of energy goods led to the first decline in producer prices in three months during March.http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_Econwatch__Producer_Prices_Decline.htmlMon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_Econwatch__Producer_Prices_Decline.htmlThe U.S. economy created fewer jobs in March than it had in any previous month since last summer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that non-farm payrolls expanded by a seasonally adjusted 88,000 workers last month, the first time the economy failed to create at least 100,000 jobs since it added 87,000 workers last June.http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_EconWatch__U_S__Economy_Stumbles.htmlMon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_EconWatch__U_S__Economy_Stumbles.htmlThe see-saw which is the U.S. economy continued again last week as a weaker-than-expected payrolls report put a bit of a damper on the recent positive narrative we had been witnessing. Concerns about the economy not being as robust as previously thought caused money to move in a classic “risk-off” trade and U.S. Treasury securities were the beneficiaries at the expense of the equity market.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__U_S__Payrolls_Weaker_than_Expected.htmlMon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__U_S__Payrolls_Weaker_than_Expected.htmlThere is growing speculation that mobile computing will have a major impact on the way organizations plan and manage resources. Surely, the implications for FP&A professionals are fascinating to contemplate.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Mobility_and_FP_A.htmlFri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Mobility_and_FP_A.htmlIn a stark contrast to previous quarters, Canadian CFOs’ optimism in first quarter 2013 was fairly modest compared to that of their U.S. counterparts. According to a new survey, Canadian CFOs’ net optimism recovered only slightly, going from -6 in Q4 2012 to +7 in Q1 2013, while U.S. CFOs' optimism went from -11 to +32.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Survey__Canadian_CFOs_Less_Optimistic_than_American_Peers.htmlThu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Survey__Canadian_CFOs_Less_Optimistic_than_American_Peers.htmlThis month’s lead article is a wrap-up of the Pacific Northwest FP&A Summit, an event co-sponsored by AFP and Microsoft and held at Microsoft’s Executive Meeting Center in Redmond, Washington. Over 40 FP&A professionals attended. Also this issue, read why learning VBA makes sense, the importance of mobility and FP&A, and more.http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/April_2013_FP_A_Newsletter.htmlThu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/April_2013_FP_A_Newsletter.htmlOver 40 senior FP&A professionals gathered March 25 at Microsoft’s Executive Meeting Center for the Pacific Northwest FP&A Summit, an event co-sponsored by AFP and Microsoft. The large showing and overall message from the meeting was clear: FP&A executives are eager for opportunities to meet each other, connect, network and exchange best practices.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/FP_A_Professionals_Convene_at_Summit_Hosted_by_Microsoft.htmlTue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/FP_A_Professionals_Convene_at_Summit_Hosted_by_Microsoft.htmlConsumers appear to have brushed off concerns about federal budget spending cuts, at least for now, if their spending behavior is any indication.  http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/EconWatch__Consumer_Spending_Increases.htmlMon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/EconWatch__Consumer_Spending_Increases.htmlWelcome to the end of the first quarter and a hopeful beginning of a healthy and prosperous second quarter. While we continue to experience some headwinds coming out of Europe, the mood here is one of guarded optimism.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Guarded_Optimism_as_Q2_Begins.htmlMon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Guarded_Optimism_as_Q2_Begins.htmlWe spent most of the week going back-and-forth as to whether Cyprus could be another Greece. The debt and equity markets rallied and fell depending on the latest news out of Nicosia. The general feeling at week’s end was that while this was probably not going to be a major disruption to the world financial markets.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Cyprus_Shake-Up.htmlMon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Cyprus_Shake-Up.htmlThe Federal Open Market Committee voted last week to stay the course with its aggressive accommodative policies even though it acknowledged a rebound in economic activity.http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/EconWatch__FOMC_Votes_to_Stay_the_Course.htmlMon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/EconWatch__FOMC_Votes_to_Stay_the_Course.htmlAt nonprofits, personal fit is every bit as important as professional pedigree. Still, nonprofits may have different philosophical missions than corporations, but operations are no less dependent on sound fiscal policy.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Treasury,_Finance_Executives_Find_Success_at_Nonprofits.htmlFri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Treasury,_Finance_Executives_Find_Success_at_Nonprofits.htmlCurrent annual budgeting, in most companies, is a time-consuming task that lasts anywhere from six to nine months (or even more), and the budget is usually not accurate by the time the budgeted year begins. Forecasting is an ongoing core management process, not an annual event.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Best_Practices__Driver-Based_Forecasting.htmlTue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Best_Practices__Driver-Based_Forecasting.htmlAmong the risks that have the biggest impact on the ability of financial professionals to forecast corporate earnings, the AFP 2013 Risk Management Survey identified consumer behavior/satisfaction as being right near the top. The message is clear: even subtle changes in consumer preferences, fickle clients and changing tastes can dramatically affect your business. http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Bottom_Line__Understanding_Today_s_Consumer.htmlTue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Bottom_Line__Understanding_Today_s_Consumer.htmlIn this week's edition: manufacturing picked up some steam in February as output grew for the third time over the past four months.http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_EconWatch__March_18,_2013.htmlMon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_EconWatch__March_18,_2013.htmlLike many organizations, the Doe Run Company recently installed software as a service (SaaS) to replace its spreadsheet-based planning and forecasting process. Most mid-sized business shy away from high-end enterprise planning solutions, but Doe Run reached a point where it had to switch to something else.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Case_Study__FP_A_Group_Switches_to_SaaS.htmlFri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Case_Study__FP_A_Group_Switches_to_SaaS.htmlData overload, or big data, can quickly turn from a blessing into a curse if you do not have the capability to mine it for useful information. This is where FP&A procedures and business intelligence data mining tools can come to the aid of a treasury team seeking useful information from the huge data volumes common in business today.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Case_Study__Microsoft%E2%80%99s_Treasury_Mines_Big_Data_and_FP_A.htmlWed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/Case_Study__Microsoft%E2%80%99s_Treasury_Mines_Big_Data_and_FP_A.htmlFor the third time over the past four months, non-farm payrolls grew by at least 200,000 workers. Data featured this week includes employment, factory orders, international trade and the Non-Manufacturing ISM Report on Business.  http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_EconWatch__March_11,_2013.htmlMon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/AFP_EconWatch__March_11,_2013.htmlFor those looking for signs that the U.S. economy is finally pulling out of its morass, this was probably the best week in at least four or five years. The payrolls number came in at an above-consensus +236k and the unemployment rate fell lower than expected to 7.7 percent.http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Stocks_Soar_on_U_S__Jobs_Data.htmlMon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/This_Week_in_Corporate_Finance__Stocks_Soar_on_U_S__Jobs_Data.htmlGiven the shortfalls and inadequacy of the traditional budget process, organizations increasingly are exploring alternatives and re-evaluating their planning tools and methods. What are some of the innovations and leading practices that organizations have adopted to transform their traditional budgeting process?http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/How_FP_A_Pros_Can_Escape_the_Black_Hole_of_Budgeting.htmlFri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/How_FP_A_Pros_Can_Escape_the_Black_Hole_of_Budgeting.htmlWhat better way to improve your company’s financial fundamentals than to look at the seven habits of the most successful companies?http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/The_Seven_Budgeting_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_Companies.htmlThu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/mbr/reg/res/reg_news/The_Seven_Budgeting_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_Companies.htmlThis issue features thought leadership on budgeting, driver-based forecasting and thinking beyond the spreadsheet. Perhaps the most provocative article asks the question: “Is strategic planning even necessary?”http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/March_2013_FP_A_Newsletter.htmlThu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400http://www.afponline.org/pub/res/news/March_2013_FP_A_Newsletter.html