Articles
Study: Brexit, Tepid Economy Lead Companies to Hoard Cash
Concerned about Brexit and a tepid economy, American companies in the second quarter of 2016 returned to accumulating cash at a fast pace, according to the AFP Corporate Cash Indicators® (AFP CCI).
Concerned about Brexit and a tepid economy, American companies in the second quarter of 2016 returned to accumulating cash at a fast pace, according to the AFP Corporate Cash Indicators® (AFP CCI).
07/25/2016
Data Visualization: A Discussion with David McCandless
AFP recently spoke with data journalist David McCandless, who will speak about data visualization at its Annual Conference in October, from his home in London.
AFP recently spoke with data journalist David McCandless, who will speak about data visualization at its Annual Conference in October, from his home in London.
07/25/2016
Zero-Based Budgeting: Don’t Take the Big-Bang Approach
Zero-based budgeting is making a comeback, and it doesn't require a big-bang implementation. Many companies are getting great results by doing the exact opposite.
Zero-based budgeting is making a comeback, and it doesn't require a big-bang implementation. Many companies are getting great results by doing the exact opposite.
07/22/2016
Same-Day ACH Warning: Check Your EEDs to Avoid Surprise Fees
Large ACH originators could be hit with unintended fees once same-day ACH starts September 23.
Large ACH originators could be hit with unintended fees once same-day ACH starts September 23.
07/21/2016
Video: Highlights of the IRS Hearing on 385 Regs
Tom Hunt, CTP, AFP's Director of Treasury Services, weighs in on the key themes discussed at a July 14, 2016 hearing on proposed changes to section 385 of Internal Revenue Code.
Tom Hunt, CTP, AFP's Director of Treasury Services, weighs in on the key themes discussed at a July 14, 2016 hearing on proposed changes to section 385 of Internal Revenue Code.
07/20/2016
FP&A for Nonprofits: Making Investment Decisions
The role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) in for- and not-for-profit organizations is increasingly similar: It needs to help management make smart decisions about how to make investments and cut costs.
The role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) in for- and not-for-profit organizations is increasingly similar: It needs to help management make smart decisions about how to make investments and cut costs.
07/20/2016
Video: Executive Institute Looks at Capital Structure, Risk
Craig Martin, Executive Director of AFP's Corporate Treasurers Council, provides a preview of the Executive Institute at the 2016 AFP Annual Conference, Oct. 23-26 in Orlando, Florida.
Craig Martin, Executive Director of AFP's Corporate Treasurers Council, provides a preview of the Executive Institute at the 2016 AFP Annual Conference, Oct. 23-26 in Orlando, Florida.
07/19/2016
Learn Zero-Based Budgeting 2.0 with New FP&A Guide
There’s a new brand of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) out there. This new version is more strategic and more targeted than Version 1.0.
There’s a new brand of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) out there. This new version is more strategic and more targeted than Version 1.0.
07/19/2016
Treasury’s Expertise: Mandatory for an IPO
In 2015, data flash storage company Pure Storage went public. The finance team realized it needed the expertise that comes with a treasury function.
In 2015, data flash storage company Pure Storage went public. The finance team realized it needed the expertise that comes with a treasury function.
07/18/2016
CTP Exam Tips: Danger in the Decimals
Simply put, too many decimals can yield the wrong answer on the CTP exam.
Simply put, too many decimals can yield the wrong answer on the CTP exam.
07/18/2016
IRS Hearing on 385 Regs: Four Key Themes
The IRS received considerable pushback against the proposed changes to section 385 of the Internal Revenue Code during a public hearing.
The IRS received considerable pushback against the proposed changes to section 385 of the Internal Revenue Code during a public hearing.
07/15/2016
FP&A Roundtable: 6 Key Skills Practitioners Must Possess
During an AFP roundtable in Boston sponsored by Peloton, attendees discussed the skills FP&A practitioners need to have in order to become strategic partners to the business.
During an AFP roundtable in Boston sponsored by Peloton, attendees discussed the skills FP&A practitioners need to have in order to become strategic partners to the business.
07/15/2016
Ex-Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman on Being a Trusted Advisor
AFP recently interviewed Ret. Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff he was the senior officer in the Armed Forces and the military advisor to the secretary of defense and to the President.
AFP recently interviewed Ret. Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff he was the senior officer in the Armed Forces and the military advisor to the secretary of defense and to the President.
07/14/2016
Video: Results of the 2016 AFP Liquidity Survey
Tom Hunt, CTP, Director of Treasury Services for AFP, discusses the results of the 2016 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors (SSGA).
Tom Hunt, CTP, Director of Treasury Services for AFP, discusses the results of the 2016 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors (SSGA).
07/14/2016
Reg 385 Offers Only Two Endings for Treasury: Bad or Worse
While there are many regulations treasurers need to pay attention to, the Treasury Department’s proposed changes to Internal Revenue Code section 385 have the potential to significantly impact treasury departments at large.
While there are many regulations treasurers need to pay attention to, the Treasury Department’s proposed changes to Internal Revenue Code section 385 have the potential to significantly impact treasury departments at large.
07/13/2016
AFP Survey: Treasury Professionals Value Bank Relationships
According to the 2016 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), 90 percent of treasury and finance professionals cite their overall relationship with their bank as an important determinant when choosing a bank in which to invest their short-term cash.
According to the 2016 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), 90 percent of treasury and finance professionals cite their overall relationship with their bank as an important determinant when choosing a bank in which to invest their short-term cash.
07/12/2016
Canadian Dollar: Friend or Foe?
Because of the weak Canadian dollar, many companies on both sides of the border are experiencing volatility in their costs, revenues and net income. How should companies manage these risks?
Because of the weak Canadian dollar, many companies on both sides of the border are experiencing volatility in their costs, revenues and net income. How should companies manage these risks?
07/12/2016
SWIFT Enlists Cybersecurity Firms as Hacks Continue
SWIFT is teaming up with BAE Systems and Fox-IT to investigate recent cyberattacks on its customers. The news follows reports that hackers hit another bank and transferred funds across the SWIFT network.
SWIFT is teaming up with BAE Systems and Fox-IT to investigate recent cyberattacks on its customers. The news follows reports that hackers hit another bank and transferred funds across the SWIFT network.
07/11/2016
Payments Are Catching Technology -- And Treasury Benefits
A fundamental shift within the payments industry, driven by the financial crisis and the rise of fintech, should be music to the ears of corporate treasury professionals.
A fundamental shift within the payments industry, driven by the financial crisis and the rise of fintech, should be music to the ears of corporate treasury professionals.
07/11/2016
The Finance Team of the Future: 4 Management Challenges
Many newcomers to finance will come from the millennial generation. It’s therefore incumbent upon senior finance executives to learn how to attract and best manage this younger workforce.
Many newcomers to finance will come from the millennial generation. It’s therefore incumbent upon senior finance executives to learn how to attract and best manage this younger workforce.
07/08/2016
AFP Comment: Reg 385 Would ‘Cripple’ MNC Treasury Management
AFP sent a comment letter to the Internal Revenue Service in response to proposed changes to Section 385.
AFP sent a comment letter to the Internal Revenue Service in response to proposed changes to Section 385.
07/07/2016
Six Principles for Running a Successful Treasury Group
What does it take to run a successful treasury department? Here are some basic principles that can be used to enhance the impact treasury has inside and outside of the organization.
What does it take to run a successful treasury department? Here are some basic principles that can be used to enhance the impact treasury has inside and outside of the organization.
07/06/2016
Different Breed: Finance Recruiters’ View of Millennials
Recruiters get a bird’s-eye view of the interaction between millennials and finance hiring managers. They see what companies are asking for and what millennials bring to the table.
Recruiters get a bird’s-eye view of the interaction between millennials and finance hiring managers. They see what companies are asking for and what millennials bring to the table.
07/06/2016
Corporates Assess Reg 385’s Impact as Deadline Approaches
The comment deadline for the Treasury Department’s proposed revision of Internal Revenue Code section 385 is fast approaching. Yet few companies are actually preparing for what will likely be a massive change to how they fund themselves.
The comment deadline for the Treasury Department’s proposed revision of Internal Revenue Code section 385 is fast approaching. Yet few companies are actually preparing for what will likely be a massive change to how they fund themselves.
07/06/2016
7 Ways FP&A Can Help Their Firm Prepare for the Brexit
How can FP&A help their organization prepare for the uncertainty that ensued in the aftermath of the vote?
How can FP&A help their organization prepare for the uncertainty that ensued in the aftermath of the vote?
07/05/2016
Proposed Rule Has Big Implications for Direct Deposit
The New York State Department of Labor has proposed a rule that could cause a major shakeup for companies’ payroll functions.
The New York State Department of Labor has proposed a rule that could cause a major shakeup for companies’ payroll functions.
07/05/2016
CTP Exam Tips: Are the Examples Real?
One comment made by numerous students in classes, study sessions, online, and other places is: “This example in the text isn’t real. That isn’t the way my company does this.”
One comment made by numerous students in classes, study sessions, online, and other places is: “This example in the text isn’t real. That isn’t the way my company does this.”
06/30/2016
AFP Annual Speaker Kearns Goodwin: Trump Has No Comparison
AFP recently interviewed Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Presidential historian and best-selling author, about the upcoming Presidential election. Kearns Goodwin is one of the panelists who will open the AFP Annual Conference in October in a session titled, “Making Sense of the Global Chaos.”
AFP recently interviewed Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Presidential historian and best-selling author, about the upcoming Presidential election. Kearns Goodwin is one of the panelists who will open the AFP Annual Conference in October in a session titled, “Making Sense of the Global Chaos.”
06/30/2016
3 Ways FP&A Can Prepare for Extraordinary Events
Sometimes, financial planning and analysis (FP&A) is in the eye of the storm—think Takata, or VW. How can FP&A help management plan for extraordinary events?
Sometimes, financial planning and analysis (FP&A) is in the eye of the storm—think Takata, or VW. How can FP&A help management plan for extraordinary events?
06/30/2016
Brexit: 3 Treasury & Finance Executives Discuss the Fallout
With Brexit continuing to wreak havoc on the markets, AFP spoke with three treasury and finance executives to see how they are handling the fallout.
With Brexit continuing to wreak havoc on the markets, AFP spoke with three treasury and finance executives to see how they are handling the fallout.
06/28/2016
No Brexit? Yes, Says One AFP Annual Conference Speaker
The votes are in; the U.K. will leave the European Union, correct? Not so fast, says Gideon Rachmann, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator for the Financial Times.
The votes are in; the U.K. will leave the European Union, correct? Not so fast, says Gideon Rachmann, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator for the Financial Times.
06/28/2016
10 Benefits of Driver-Based Modeling
Facing greater market volatility, a fast-changing business environment, and a constant push from senior management to improve the planning process, more FP&A teams are incorporating driver-based modeling into their forecasting methodology.
Facing greater market volatility, a fast-changing business environment, and a constant push from senior management to improve the planning process, more FP&A teams are incorporating driver-based modeling into their forecasting methodology.
06/28/2016
BEC Scams: Why Treasury Is Still In the Danger Zone
Although business email compromise (BEC) scams have been going on for quite a while, many corporates are still in the danger zone from this type of fraud. Why are these seemingly simple scams so successful for criminals?
Although business email compromise (BEC) scams have been going on for quite a while, many corporates are still in the danger zone from this type of fraud. Why are these seemingly simple scams so successful for criminals?
06/27/2016
5 Ways to Break Down Operational and Strategic Silos
Recognizing the tension between strategic and operational goals is the first step toward better coordination and decision-making. Here are five practices that can help organizations seeking to avoid process optimization efforts occurring in silos.
Recognizing the tension between strategic and operational goals is the first step toward better coordination and decision-making. Here are five practices that can help organizations seeking to avoid process optimization efforts occurring in silos.
06/27/2016
Brexit Fallout: 8 Items for Treasurers to Consider
The implications of the Brexit vote make take months, if not years, for corporate treasury and finance to absorb.
The implications of the Brexit vote make take months, if not years, for corporate treasury and finance to absorb.
06/24/2016
What Happens if Brexit Vote Wins? More Uncertainty, for Sure
A vote to exit would likely hurt business sentiment and investment immediately. The big problem is the uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom’s commercial relationship with the EU. The uncertainty surrounding this new relationship could take years to sort out.
A vote to exit would likely hurt business sentiment and investment immediately. The big problem is the uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom’s commercial relationship with the EU. The uncertainty surrounding this new relationship could take years to sort out.
06/21/2016
Stop BEC Scams Before They Start with New Guide
A new AFP Payments Security Guide underwritten by MUFG Union Bank examines the basic steps companies can take today to minimize—if never completely eliminate—BEC scams.
A new AFP Payments Security Guide underwritten by MUFG Union Bank examines the basic steps companies can take today to minimize—if never completely eliminate—BEC scams.
06/21/2016
FP&A: 6 Tips for Identifying the Right Talent
How can CFOs and senior FP&A executives make sure they hire the right talent, and thus better align the FP&A team with the organization’s strategic objectives?
How can CFOs and senior FP&A executives make sure they hire the right talent, and thus better align the FP&A team with the organization’s strategic objectives?
06/20/2016
AFP, Advocacy Groups Appeal to Congress Over 385 Regs
AFP and nearly 70 other organizations have sent a letter to Congress, voicing their concerns about the U.S. Treasury Department’s proposed Section 385 regulations.
AFP and nearly 70 other organizations have sent a letter to Congress, voicing their concerns about the U.S. Treasury Department’s proposed Section 385 regulations.
06/17/2016
Armored Cars: 3 Key Problems Retail Treasurers Face
At the 2016 AFP Retail Roundtable, retail treasurers voiced their frustrations with their armored carriers.
At the 2016 AFP Retail Roundtable, retail treasurers voiced their frustrations with their armored carriers.
06/17/2016
