Articles
Walk Before You Run: The Fed’s Slow Crawl to Faster Payments
While real-time systems have been put in place in multiple nations like the UK, there are still questions about how and when such a system might be implemented in the United States.
While real-time systems have been put in place in multiple nations like the UK, there are still questions about how and when such a system might be implemented in the United States.
04/04/2016
FP&A Benchmarking Survey: A Few More Weeks to Participate
Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals only have only a few more weeks to participate in the 2016 AFP FP&A Benchmarking Survey, conducted in partnership with IBM.
Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals only have only a few more weeks to participate in the 2016 AFP FP&A Benchmarking Survey, conducted in partnership with IBM.
04/04/2016
Your Funds in Seconds: Allstate Speeds Up Claim Payments
Faced with a check-heavy claims payment process, Allstate implemented a service that routes payments to customer bank accounts using mobile phone numbers and email addresses as identifiers.
Faced with a check-heavy claims payment process, Allstate implemented a service that routes payments to customer bank accounts using mobile phone numbers and email addresses as identifiers.
04/04/2016
Video: Wire Fraud, BEC Scams On the Rise
Magnus Carlsson, AFP's manager of treasury and payments, discusses the findings of the 2016 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by J.P. Morgan.
Magnus Carlsson, AFP's manager of treasury and payments, discusses the findings of the 2016 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by J.P. Morgan.
04/01/2016
Beyond Budgeting Keeps Statoil Agile During a Downturn
With oil prices plummeting in the last 18 months, AFP turned to one champion of Beyond Budgeting, Norway-based energy company Statoil, to see how the methodology served it as its market environment turned south.
With oil prices plummeting in the last 18 months, AFP turned to one champion of Beyond Budgeting, Norway-based energy company Statoil, to see how the methodology served it as its market environment turned south.
03/31/2016
Starbucks Treasurer: Social Responsibility is Risk Management
Drew Wolff, treasurer for Starbucks, discusses his upcoming CTC Corporate Treasurers Forum session on why natural-resource risk management is becoming more important to investors and customers.
Drew Wolff, treasurer for Starbucks, discusses his upcoming CTC Corporate Treasurers Forum session on why natural-resource risk management is becoming more important to investors and customers.
03/31/2016
Corporate Finance Interview Questions
If you interview in corporate finance, expect some companies to present their questions in the form of business cases or word problems. Whatever your answer, explain the rationale behind your thinking. Employers are just as interested in your ability to grasp business strategy as they are in your ability to crunch numbers.
03/31/2016
FP&A Presentation Tips: Making Your Data Make Sense
Big data, predictive analytics and data visualization are immensely powerful tools for understanding a complex world and making better decisions. But they’re useless if your audience can’t make sense of the information they provide.
Big data, predictive analytics and data visualization are immensely powerful tools for understanding a complex world and making better decisions. But they’re useless if your audience can’t make sense of the information they provide.
03/30/2016
Where Treasury & FP&A Converge
AFP recently spoke with Tom Gallo, treasurer for ABM Industries, on how his treasury department works alongside financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Recent changes at the facility management provider has resulted in closer collaboration between both functions.
AFP recently spoke with Tom Gallo, treasurer for ABM Industries, on how his treasury department works alongside financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Recent changes at the facility management provider has resulted in closer collaboration between both functions.
03/30/2016
AFP Survey: 73% of U.S. Companies Targeted by Payments Fraud
The 2016 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by J.P. Morgan, found that 73 percent of all U.S. companies experienced payments fraud last year.
The 2016 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by J.P. Morgan, found that 73 percent of all U.S. companies experienced payments fraud last year.
03/29/2016
How ITT Used FP&A to Transform Itself and Boost Profits
Once a multibillion-dollar organization comprised of multiple businesses, ITT is now a lean and highly profitable corporation with annual revenues over $2 billion. FP&A played a big role in that transition.
Once a multibillion-dollar organization comprised of multiple businesses, ITT is now a lean and highly profitable corporation with annual revenues over $2 billion. FP&A played a big role in that transition.
03/29/2016
Here’s One Way Treasurers, CFOs Can Help Prevent Hacking
Corporate-bank relationships are built on trust, and a data breach is perhaps the fastest way to damage that trust. It’s up to treasurers and CFOs to make sure their banks are keeping their information secure.
Corporate-bank relationships are built on trust, and a data breach is perhaps the fastest way to damage that trust. It’s up to treasurers and CFOs to make sure their banks are keeping their information secure.
03/28/2016
To Partner with the Business, FP&A Needs Business Acumen
Business acumen is the ability to look at a situation as a business manager or an entrepreneur would and provide solutions. It helps the business respond as well as transform.
Business acumen is the ability to look at a situation as a business manager or an entrepreneur would and provide solutions. It helps the business respond as well as transform.
03/28/2016
Video: Treasury Needs a Plan When Disaster Strikes
A look at the latest Treasury in Practice Guide, Business Continuity Planning: Why Treasury Needs a Plan B, underwritten by Kyriba.
A look at the latest Treasury in Practice Guide, Business Continuity Planning: Why Treasury Needs a Plan B, underwritten by Kyriba.
03/25/2016
Futures in Finance: It's Time to Focus on the B-Team
The latest edition of Futures in Finance looks at why finance executives should spend a little less time on the ‘A’ and ‘C’ players and focus on the ‘B’ players.
The latest edition of Futures in Finance looks at why finance executives should spend a little less time on the ‘A’ and ‘C’ players and focus on the ‘B’ players.
03/24/2016
Five Keys to a Better Supply-Chain Forecast Analysis
Forecast analysis is a frequently overlooked feature of the sales and operations planning process, where the generic approach is to validate the variance of the current forecast against the previous forecast or the budgeted figure.
Forecast analysis is a frequently overlooked feature of the sales and operations planning process, where the generic approach is to validate the variance of the current forecast against the previous forecast or the budgeted figure.
03/24/2016
Continuous Forecasting Keeps Companies Competitive
Adjusting your business forecast as you go calls for more than just historical records—you need real-time data from internal records and, increasingly, from external feeds.
Adjusting your business forecast as you go calls for more than just historical records—you need real-time data from internal records and, increasingly, from external feeds.
03/23/2016
CTP Exam Tips: How to Pass on Your First Attempt
Want to know the cheapest, fastest, and most effective way to study for and pass the CTP exam on the first attempt?
Want to know the cheapest, fastest, and most effective way to study for and pass the CTP exam on the first attempt?
03/23/2016
Forecasting’s Goal: Not Foresee the Future, But Plan for It
Whatever the nature of your forecast, there are a few principles that, if applied in the beginning of your forecasting exercise, will give you a step ahead of the complexity.
Whatever the nature of your forecast, there are a few principles that, if applied in the beginning of your forecasting exercise, will give you a step ahead of the complexity.
03/22/2016
No Excuses: Here’s How Treasury Can Operate Despite Disaster
AFP’s new Treasury in Practice Guide, underwritten by Kyriba, looks at how treasury departments can continue to operate when disaster strikes.
AFP’s new Treasury in Practice Guide, underwritten by Kyriba, looks at how treasury departments can continue to operate when disaster strikes.
03/22/2016
Finance Teams at Providence Health, Payless Embrace Big Data
While many finance groups are still behind in implementing big data projects, finance executives and experts argue that the tide is turning. At Providence Health & Services and Payless ShoeSource, big data is already making a big difference.
While many finance groups are still behind in implementing big data projects, finance executives and experts argue that the tide is turning. At Providence Health & Services and Payless ShoeSource, big data is already making a big difference.
03/21/2016
FP&A Exam Tips: Time Management is the Key
Everyone studies and takes tests differently. For those who don’t regularly take tests, however, the Certified Corporate FP&A Professional examination process might be a new experience.
Everyone studies and takes tests differently. For those who don’t regularly take tests, however, the Certified Corporate FP&A Professional examination process might be a new experience.
03/21/2016
Think Your Budgeting Process is Broken? Here’s How to Tell.
Vinay Mehra, CFO of Politico, explains how to know when your budgeting and forecasting process is broken, and how to fix it.
Vinay Mehra, CFO of Politico, explains how to know when your budgeting and forecasting process is broken, and how to fix it.
03/18/2016
AFP Payments: Is There Real Demand for Real-Time?
In the latest edition of AFP Payments, we review a recent Payments Innovation Alliance discussion, in which experts weighed in on whether U.S. corporate treasurers really need—or even want—real-time payments.
In the latest edition of AFP Payments, we review a recent Payments Innovation Alliance discussion, in which experts weighed in on whether U.S. corporate treasurers really need—or even want—real-time payments.
03/17/2016
Treasury Challenges in the Changing Payments Environment
A key question treasurers need to ask is whether their companies are considering alternative payments that will increase cash flow and retain customers.
A key question treasurers need to ask is whether their companies are considering alternative payments that will increase cash flow and retain customers.
03/17/2016
Make Your Selections for the AFP Treasury & Finance Tourney
Which treasury and finance topic will reign supreme in 2016? Now you can decide.
Which treasury and finance topic will reign supreme in 2016? Now you can decide.
03/17/2016
Finance Execs Should Focus On the ‘B Players’. Here’s Why.
Both the A players and the C players get a lot of attention from management. But the B players are who the focus should be on.
Both the A players and the C players get a lot of attention from management. But the B players are who the focus should be on.
03/17/2016
EMV Chargeback Controversy Culminates in a Lawsuit
The EMV chargeback controversy finally came to a head recently in the form of a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking class action status.
The EMV chargeback controversy finally came to a head recently in the form of a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking class action status.
03/16/2016
5 Tips for Finance Execs Worried About Currency Volatility
Currency volatility is on the mind of CFOs and treasurers as the U.S. dollar has been in a position of strength over the last couple of years. What is a finance exec with business overseas to do?
Currency volatility is on the mind of CFOs and treasurers as the U.S. dollar has been in a position of strength over the last couple of years. What is a finance exec with business overseas to do?
03/16/2016
Video: Changing Jobs From a Finance Executive's Perspective
Ferdinand Jahnel, CTP, Vice President, Treasurer for Marsh & McLennan and an AFP Board member, discusses the biggest challenge faced when entering a new role.
Ferdinand Jahnel, CTP, Vice President, Treasurer for Marsh & McLennan and an AFP Board member, discusses the biggest challenge faced when entering a new role.
03/15/2016
Become a Treasury Superhero by Improving Bank Relationships
Motivated treasury professionals with a few hours’ investment can systematically work through their banking relationships, leading to greater control, reduced cost and greater efficiency.
Motivated treasury professionals with a few hours’ investment can systematically work through their banking relationships, leading to greater control, reduced cost and greater efficiency.
03/15/2016
Case Study: The Value of Communication at Tiffany & Co.
A geographically diverse company with operations across approximately 30 countries, Tiffany & Co. is constantly adding new locations in new regions. Therefore, effective communication is essential.
A geographically diverse company with operations across approximately 30 countries, Tiffany & Co. is constantly adding new locations in new regions. Therefore, effective communication is essential.
03/15/2016
Why the Blockchain Revolution Won’t Happen Overnight
During a recent panel discussion, experts weighed in on how blockchain technology could be a major disruptive force. But whatever change is coming, it’s not going to happen overnight.
During a recent panel discussion, experts weighed in on how blockchain technology could be a major disruptive force. But whatever change is coming, it’s not going to happen overnight.
03/14/2016
How Finance Execs Can Assess Their Company’s Planning Risk
Finance executives may find it useful to create a subset of strategic risk called “planning risk”—the failure to meet your strategic objectives due to weaknesses in your planning process.
Finance executives may find it useful to create a subset of strategic risk called “planning risk”—the failure to meet your strategic objectives due to weaknesses in your planning process.
03/14/2016
FP&A Exam Tips: 3 Ways to Switch Back Into ‘Study Mode’
Getting into “study mode” isn’t easy, especially if you haven’t studied for a test in a while. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can ease yourself back into that mindset when preparing for the FP&A Exam.
Getting into “study mode” isn’t easy, especially if you haven’t studied for a test in a while. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can ease yourself back into that mindset when preparing for the FP&A Exam.
03/11/2016
Video: Planning the 2016 AFP Annual Conference
John Paris, Assistant Treasurer for Rogers Corporation, discusses why he joined the 2016 AFP Annual Conference Planning Task Force.
John Paris, Assistant Treasurer for Rogers Corporation, discusses why he joined the 2016 AFP Annual Conference Planning Task Force.
03/11/2016
AFP Risk: The Advantage of Cat Bonds
In the latest edition of the Risk newsletter, we look at how corporates that face major business interruption risk are finding relief in the catastrophe (cat) bond market.
In the latest edition of the Risk newsletter, we look at how corporates that face major business interruption risk are finding relief in the catastrophe (cat) bond market.
03/10/2016
Video: The Need for Best Practices in FP&A
Nilly Essaides, AFP's Director of Financial Planning and Analysis Practice, discusses the 2016 AFP FP&A Benchmarking Survey, conducted in partnership with IBM.
Nilly Essaides, AFP's Director of Financial Planning and Analysis Practice, discusses the 2016 AFP FP&A Benchmarking Survey, conducted in partnership with IBM.
03/10/2016
CTC Forum Preview: How to Avoid a Liquidity Shortfall
AFP recently spoke with Mack Makode of Mylan Pharmaceuticals about his upcoming session on liquidity at the CTC Corporate Treasurers Forum, May 22-24 at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay.
AFP recently spoke with Mack Makode of Mylan Pharmaceuticals about his upcoming session on liquidity at the CTC Corporate Treasurers Forum, May 22-24 at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay.
03/09/2016
Putting the Strategic Treasury Puzzle Together
There are myriad opportunities for treasurers to aspire to a bigger and broader roles in the organization. But what does a treasurer need to bring this career journey to fruition?
There are myriad opportunities for treasurers to aspire to a bigger and broader roles in the organization. But what does a treasurer need to bring this career journey to fruition?
03/09/2016
Collaborate With Your Peers
AFP's online community, AFP Collaborate, allows you to ask questions and get answers from your treasury and finance peers whenever you want, wherever you are in the world.
Explore AFP Collaborate Here
AFP's online community, AFP Collaborate, allows you to ask questions and get answers from your treasury and finance peers whenever you want, wherever you are in the world.
Explore AFP Collaborate Here