Articles
FP&A Pros, It’s Time to Excel at Business Planning
Turn your planning capability into an enterprise strength with AFP’s latest FP&A Guide, underwritten by Anaplan.
Turn your planning capability into an enterprise strength with AFP’s latest FP&A Guide, underwritten by Anaplan.
07/24/2017
Fed Task Force: Ubiquity is the Key to Faster Payments
The Federal Reserve Faster Payments Task Force has released the second part of its final report on achieving faster payments in the United States by 2020.
The Federal Reserve Faster Payments Task Force has released the second part of its final report on achieving faster payments in the United States by 2020.
07/21/2017
Term Sheet: FP&A Definitions for Common Terms
My inbox is overflowing with planning software vendors who want me to attend their webinars and demo their products. Reading through the marketing literature I find myself wondering whether everyone is using some of the basic FP&A terms consistently, so I decided to refresh my memory.
My inbox is overflowing with planning software vendors who want me to attend their webinars and demo their products. Reading through the marketing literature I find myself wondering whether everyone is using some of the basic FP&A terms consistently, so I decided to refresh my memory.
07/21/2017
Finally: The Fed to Release Part 2 of Faster Payments Report
The Federal Reserve Faster Payments Task Force is set to release the second part of its final report on achieving faster payments in the United States.
The Federal Reserve Faster Payments Task Force is set to release the second part of its final report on achieving faster payments in the United States.
07/20/2017
FP&A Maturity Model to Help Streamline Business Processes
The AFP FP&A Maturity Model is organized in four domains: business process, organization/people/skills, technology and data. This month we are examining the business process domain.
The AFP FP&A Maturity Model is organized in four domains: business process, organization/people/skills, technology and data. This month we are examining the business process domain.
07/19/2017
FP&A at AFP 2017: Don’t Miss Out on the Future
This October in San Diego, AFP 2017 will present perhaps the most impressive lineup of FP&A sessions yet.
This October in San Diego, AFP 2017 will present perhaps the most impressive lineup of FP&A sessions yet.
07/17/2017
Check Fraud: Catch It If You Can
When perhaps the top check fraud expert in the world says that he’s surprised that it’s still a major problem, there has to be a disconnect somewhere.
When perhaps the top check fraud expert in the world says that he’s surprised that it’s still a major problem, there has to be a disconnect somewhere.
07/16/2017
AFP Viewpoint: 2017 AFP Liquidity Survey
Tom Hunt, CTP, Director Treasury Services, AFP, discusses the three trends observed in the 2017 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors.
Tom Hunt, CTP, Director Treasury Services, AFP, discusses the three trends observed in the 2017 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors.
07/14/2017
4 Questions to Help Treasurers Assess Their Effectiveness
How does one evaluate a treasurer or cash manager? These four questions and explanations should help you assess their effectiveness.
How does one evaluate a treasurer or cash manager? These four questions and explanations should help you assess their effectiveness.
07/14/2017
Different Companies Require Different Work Structures
Enterprises everywhere are shaking up how their employees work, but the trends are contradictory.
Enterprises everywhere are shaking up how their employees work, but the trends are contradictory.
07/13/2017
FP&A M&A: How Three Leaders Handled the Gannett Spinoff
In 2015, media giant Gannett spun off into two companies. This article explores the spinoff from the vantage points of three FP&A leaders across both organizations.
In 2015, media giant Gannett spun off into two companies. This article explores the spinoff from the vantage points of three FP&A leaders across both organizations.
07/12/2017
Treasurers, NACHA Needs Your Input on Security
NACHA is requesting comment from corporate end-users on new approaches for additional account information security.
NACHA is requesting comment from corporate end-users on new approaches for additional account information security.
07/12/2017
Survey: Treasurers Avoid Prime Money Funds, Post-Reform
The 2017 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors, found that 41 percent of organizations have no plans to consider investing in prime funds.
The 2017 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors, found that 41 percent of organizations have no plans to consider investing in prime funds.
07/11/2017
Why There Is a Need for More Speed in Finance
Speed is at least half of the equation when it comes to corporate agility, and yet is seemingly underrated in its effect on corporate decision-making.
Speed is at least half of the equation when it comes to corporate agility, and yet is seemingly underrated in its effect on corporate decision-making.
07/10/2017
Three Reasons Why Quote to Cash is Better than Cash Conversion.
How long does it take to convert buying interest from a customer (measured as when your company creates a price quote) into cash in the door? This question underlies the quote-to-cash metric.
How long does it take to convert buying interest from a customer (measured as when your company creates a price quote) into cash in the door? This question underlies the quote-to-cash metric.
07/06/2017
Money Funds: Navigating the Road Less Traveled
Though they may be the road less traveled, money market deposit accounts have largely supplanted money market funds, at least for the time being.
Though they may be the road less traveled, money market deposit accounts have largely supplanted money market funds, at least for the time being.
07/06/2017
Fintech & Corporates: Breaking Down the Barriers
With all the hype around fintech, it is important to stay focused and realize that fintech development should be aimed at making real issues better for the end-user.
With all the hype around fintech, it is important to stay focused and realize that fintech development should be aimed at making real issues better for the end-user.
07/05/2017
Continued Education Bridges the FP&A Talent Gap
As the strategic importance of FP&A increases within organizations, so does the need for the right talent.
As the strategic importance of FP&A increases within organizations, so does the need for the right talent.
06/29/2017
Leveraging Analytics to Reduce Interchange Costs
Payments analytics tools can provide powerful insights that can help reduce interchange and acquiring costs.
Payments analytics tools can provide powerful insights that can help reduce interchange and acquiring costs.
06/28/2017
Why Are Treasurers Writing More Checks? Blame the Internet.
A new guide, underwritten by MUFG Union Bank, examines why so many corporates still use checks, despite being the payment method most susceptible to fraud.
A new guide, underwritten by MUFG Union Bank, examines why so many corporates still use checks, despite being the payment method most susceptible to fraud.
06/27/2017
It’s Quiz Time, CTP and FP&A Professionals
CTP, CCM and FP&A holders looking to earn some recertification credits should head on over to AFP’s CE Quiz page.
CTP, CCM and FP&A holders looking to earn some recertification credits should head on over to AFP’s CE Quiz page.
06/26/2017
Blockchain: 3 Potential Use Case Complications
While blockchain has massive potential, it may be necessary to analyze the whole process of potential use cases before we try to fit the technology in.
While blockchain has massive potential, it may be necessary to analyze the whole process of potential use cases before we try to fit the technology in.
06/26/2017
An 8-Step Checklist to Building a Risk Management Program
The pressure on risk managers today can be eased by building a comprehensive hedging and risk management team within the organization.
The pressure on risk managers today can be eased by building a comprehensive hedging and risk management team within the organization.
06/26/2017
Love & Hate in the Time of Excel
We love Excel. There are 750 million installations globally, which would make it the third most spoken language globally.
We love Excel. There are 750 million installations globally, which would make it the third most spoken language globally.
06/21/2017
New Academy Prepares Finance Pros for Digital Transformation
AFP is launching the Digital Finance Academy to provide treasury and finance professionals with the knowledge and resources to prepare for and lead digital transformation.
AFP is launching the Digital Finance Academy to provide treasury and finance professionals with the knowledge and resources to prepare for and lead digital transformation.
06/20/2017
Treasurers, It’s Time to Review Your Investment Policy
Now is the time for treasurers to review their investment policies. The new AFP Executive Guide, underwritten by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, can help.
Now is the time for treasurers to review their investment policies. The new AFP Executive Guide, underwritten by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, can help.
06/20/2017
What Are the Advanced Excel Skills Required of FP&A?
Job descriptions for FP&A positions tend to list advanced Excel skills among the requirements. But what are the key skills required?
Job descriptions for FP&A positions tend to list advanced Excel skills among the requirements. But what are the key skills required?
06/19/2017
Maine, Margarine and Mozzarella: FP&A Needs to Remember that Correlation Is Not Causality
Sometimes, things that appear to be highly correlated in fact are random events that have no real-world connection.
Sometimes, things that appear to be highly correlated in fact are random events that have no real-world connection.
06/16/2017
AFP 2017: FX, Cyber & Interest Rates Pose Big Risks
Risks are coming from all directions this year, from volatile currency markets to escalating cyberthreats to rising interest rates. Luckily for you, we’re going to tackle these topics at AFP 2017 in San Diego.
Risks are coming from all directions this year, from volatile currency markets to escalating cyberthreats to rising interest rates. Luckily for you, we’re going to tackle these topics at AFP 2017 in San Diego.
06/15/2017
An FP&A Article about Fidget Spinners? Yes, An FP&A Article about Fidget Spinners.
Kids are all about fidget spinners these days. So can FP&A learn from this latest craze? Of course.
Kids are all about fidget spinners these days. So can FP&A learn from this latest craze? Of course.
06/13/2017
Money Funds and the White House
AFP and other professional associations convened at the White House to support legislation that would restore stable value prime and municipal money market funds for institutional investors.
AFP and other professional associations convened at the White House to support legislation that would restore stable value prime and municipal money market funds for institutional investors.
06/13/2017
Centralizing FX Operations: 4 Key Steps
When centralizing your FX hedging program, there are certain steps the company needs to take to be successful.
When centralizing your FX hedging program, there are certain steps the company needs to take to be successful.
06/12/2017
Bank Fees & Blockchain: A Match Made in Heaven?
Why can’t we explore the possibility of using a blockchain solution for bank fee account analysis?
Why can’t we explore the possibility of using a blockchain solution for bank fee account analysis?
06/12/2017
FP&A Certification: Key Benefits for Practitioners
Earning a certification in financial planning and analysis can help you stand out from the crowd, as well as build out your own FP&A function.
Earning a certification in financial planning and analysis can help you stand out from the crowd, as well as build out your own FP&A function.
06/09/2017
2017: The Year of Faster Payments
The year 2017 is really the year of faster payments, as a number of initiatives are moving from the proof-of-concept stage to reality.
The year 2017 is really the year of faster payments, as a number of initiatives are moving from the proof-of-concept stage to reality.
06/08/2017
REI Is Moving Ahead With Its Green Initiatives. Here’s Why.
Despite President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the historic Paris Climate Accord, many American businesses are moving forward with green initiatives.
Despite President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the historic Paris Climate Accord, many American businesses are moving forward with green initiatives.
06/07/2017
AFP Pinnacle Submission Window Extended
Treasury and finance professionals have a little more time to submit for the 2017 AFP Pinnacle Awards. The deadline has been extended through June 9.
Treasury and finance professionals have a little more time to submit for the 2017 AFP Pinnacle Awards. The deadline has been extended through June 9.
06/06/2017
Social Media: Opening the Door for BEC Scams, Card Fraud
One thing became clear during a presentation on cybersecurity and payments fraud at the latest meeting of the Payments Innovation Alliance—social media is a fraudster’s most powerful tool.
One thing became clear during a presentation on cybersecurity and payments fraud at the latest meeting of the Payments Innovation Alliance—social media is a fraudster’s most powerful tool.
06/06/2017
Four Major Trends in Real-Time Payments
During last week's Payments Innovation Alliance meeting in Berlin, attendees broke down the four major trends affecting real-time payments.
During last week's Payments Innovation Alliance meeting in Berlin, attendees broke down the four major trends affecting real-time payments.
06/05/2017
Fintech in Europe: Every Industry Gets Disrupted
Arnulf Keese, partner with German venture capital firm e.ventures, provides insights into how fintech startups in Germany and Europe have grown in recent years.
Arnulf Keese, partner with German venture capital firm e.ventures, provides insights into how fintech startups in Germany and Europe have grown in recent years.
06/05/2017
