Articles
Considering an MBA? There May Be a Better Alternative
An MBA is a traditional career route for finance jobseekers. There is, however, another alternative that will definitely help you stand out from the crowd.
An MBA is a traditional career route for finance jobseekers. There is, however, another alternative that will definitely help you stand out from the crowd.
12/29/2015
Why Same-Day ACH Will Change the Billing Game
At Verizon, ACH is a reliable play for collecting payments. But sometimes customers don't choose this option, and payment becomes less consistent and certain. This is when speed becomes critical.
At Verizon, ACH is a reliable play for collecting payments. But sometimes customers don't choose this option, and payment becomes less consistent and certain. This is when speed becomes critical.
12/29/2015
Economists: U.S. to Pace World Growth in 2016
According to exclusive interviews with economists from several global financial services institutions, Uncle Sam will lead the way next year.
According to exclusive interviews with economists from several global financial services institutions, Uncle Sam will lead the way next year.
12/28/2015
Year in Review: 7 Observations on Treasury, Payments
With 2016 less than two weeks away, let's look back on 2015 and see what we learned about treasury operations and payments this year.
With 2016 less than two weeks away, let's look back on 2015 and see what we learned about treasury operations and payments this year.
12/23/2015
Transcending, Not Just Transforming: The Outlook for 2016
Treasury and finance professionals have to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. In a word, they need to transcend the everyday and look forward.
Treasury and finance professionals have to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. In a word, they need to transcend the everyday and look forward.
12/22/2015
Economists: Global Economy a Mixed Bag in 2016
AFP spoke with some of the world’s leading economists about their projections for 2016. Results were mixed; while some economies and sectors are poised to pick up steam, others are in for a tough year.
AFP spoke with some of the world’s leading economists about their projections for 2016. Results were mixed; while some economies and sectors are poised to pick up steam, others are in for a tough year.
12/21/2015
Key Tips for Complying with Credit Agreements
Many practitioners report that their banks are urging them to review and potentially reopen credit facilities, even if they’re not due for some time, in order to lock in advantageous terms. While credit agreements are a perennial issue for treasurers, they are top-of-mind now.
Many practitioners report that their banks are urging them to review and potentially reopen credit facilities, even if they’re not due for some time, in order to lock in advantageous terms. While credit agreements are a perennial issue for treasurers, they are top-of-mind now.
12/21/2015
Treasurers, Are Your Companies Phish Bait?
One of the issues keeping treasury up at night is business email compromise (BEC), in which intruders masquerade as the CFO/CEO and create emails in the hope of persuading authorized signers to issue electronic payments on their behalf.
One of the issues keeping treasury up at night is business email compromise (BEC), in which intruders masquerade as the CFO/CEO and create emails in the hope of persuading authorized signers to issue electronic payments on their behalf.
12/18/2015
Best Practices in Driver-Based Modeling
Facing greater market volatility and a fast-changing business environment, as well as constant push from senior management to improve the planning process, more FP&A teams are incorporating driver-based modeling (DBM) into their forecasting methodology.
Facing greater market volatility and a fast-changing business environment, as well as constant push from senior management to improve the planning process, more FP&A teams are incorporating driver-based modeling (DBM) into their forecasting methodology.
12/17/2015
AFP Payments: Key Trends to Watch in 2016
In the latest edition of AFP Payments, we look at four key developments that will have great significance for treasury and finance professionals in 2016.
In the latest edition of AFP Payments, we look at four key developments that will have great significance for treasury and finance professionals in 2016.
12/17/2015
How to Hedge Exposure to the South African Rand
South Africa has become an attractive market for companies. Given how volatile the South African Rand (ZAR) can be, the impact on a company with ZAR exposure can be significant.
South Africa has become an attractive market for companies. Given how volatile the South African Rand (ZAR) can be, the impact on a company with ZAR exposure can be significant.
12/17/2015
Fed Raises Rates, CFOs Suspect it Won’t Be the Last Time
The Federal Reserve finally raised short-term interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis. CFOs believe this will be the first of several increases in the near term.
The Federal Reserve finally raised short-term interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis. CFOs believe this will be the first of several increases in the near term.
12/16/2015
Recession Brewing? U.S. Growth Continues to Soften
The outlook for U.S. economic growth in 2016 and 2017 softened in the second half of 2015. Further out, another recession appears likely.
The outlook for U.S. economic growth in 2016 and 2017 softened in the second half of 2015. Further out, another recession appears likely.
12/16/2015
Business Forecasting: The Real Pathway Toward Accuracy
Forecasts deal with the future, and in particular, the future expectations of people. So forecasting is not a mathematical process; it is a matter of humanities.
Forecasts deal with the future, and in particular, the future expectations of people. So forecasting is not a mathematical process; it is a matter of humanities.
12/16/2015
Finance: A Strategic Partner to Operations
Financial planning and analysis groups are increasingly called on to help operations achieve better process efficiency and make better investment decisions.
Financial planning and analysis groups are increasingly called on to help operations achieve better process efficiency and make better investment decisions.
12/16/2015
Treasurers Should Brace for FX Volatility in ‘Yuan Year’
The big currency story in 2016 will be one of yuan liberalization—and the very significant business risk it represents for global companies. But the yuan won’t be the only currency story.
The big currency story in 2016 will be one of yuan liberalization—and the very significant business risk it represents for global companies. But the yuan won’t be the only currency story.
12/15/2015
AFP’s Board of Directors Looks Ahead to 2016
AFP asked members of its Board of Directors about their biggest challenges and accomplishments in 2015. Board members were also asked about their focuses headed into the New Year.
AFP asked members of its Board of Directors about their biggest challenges and accomplishments in 2015. Board members were also asked about their focuses headed into the New Year.
12/15/2015
Survey: Finance Professionals Expect Tepid Growth in 2016
The 2016 AFP Business Outlook Survey, underwritten by SWIFT, revealed slightly less than half of finance professionals anticipate U.S. business conditions will improve in 2016.
The 2016 AFP Business Outlook Survey, underwritten by SWIFT, revealed slightly less than half of finance professionals anticipate U.S. business conditions will improve in 2016.
12/14/2015
Payment Trends for Finance Pros to Watch in the New Year
The payments landscape is changing by the day. Here are four key developments that will have great significance for treasury and finance professionals in the New Year.
The payments landscape is changing by the day. Here are four key developments that will have great significance for treasury and finance professionals in the New Year.
12/14/2015
Negotiation Techniques from an ex-FBI Hostage Negotiator
Christopher Voss, CEO of Black Swan Ltd. and a former hostage negotiator for the FBI, provides negotiation tips for treasury and finance professionals.
Christopher Voss, CEO of Black Swan Ltd. and a former hostage negotiator for the FBI, provides negotiation tips for treasury and finance professionals.
12/14/2015
CTP Exam Tips: Studying for the Test
So you’ve committed to taking the CTP exam and created a learning plan to get through the chapters of the AFP Treasury Learning System. Now what?
So you’ve committed to taking the CTP exam and created a learning plan to get through the chapters of the AFP Treasury Learning System. Now what?
12/11/2015
Liquidity Should Be Treasury’s Top Priority in 2016
In today’s environment, some corporate treasurers see themselves as “co-CFOs.” But perhaps treasurers should think of rebranding themselves as “chief liquidity officers (CLOs)”.
In today’s environment, some corporate treasurers see themselves as “co-CFOs.” But perhaps treasurers should think of rebranding themselves as “chief liquidity officers (CLOs)”.
12/11/2015
Want to Reduce Late Payments? Here Are Two Ways
Governments are introducing programs to address late payments and improve working capital, but results are mixed at best.
Governments are introducing programs to address late payments and improve working capital, but results are mixed at best.
12/10/2015
SWIFT Targets Treasury with New Payments Initiative
SWIFT is targeting corporate treasurers with a new initiative to improve the speed, transparency and predictability of cross-border payments.
SWIFT is targeting corporate treasurers with a new initiative to improve the speed, transparency and predictability of cross-border payments.
12/10/2015
AFP Risk: How Treasurers Can Stop BEC Scammers
In the new Risk newsletter, we preview AFP’s new Treasury in Practice Guide on business email compromise (BEC) scams, the number one fraud threat for treasury and finance.
In the new Risk newsletter, we preview AFP’s new Treasury in Practice Guide on business email compromise (BEC) scams, the number one fraud threat for treasury and finance.
12/10/2015
Corporates Move to Repos in Response to Negative Rates
The ECB's decision to push deposit rates even further into negative territory is making short-term investment alternatives such as repurchase agreements more attractive.
The ECB's decision to push deposit rates even further into negative territory is making short-term investment alternatives such as repurchase agreements more attractive.
12/10/2015
Receivables Financing: Eliminating the Pain for Treasurers
Financing receivables can be an arduous administrative exercise for corporates. Yet the days of such troubles may soon be at an end.
Financing receivables can be an arduous administrative exercise for corporates. Yet the days of such troubles may soon be at an end.
12/09/2015
BEC Scams: What Treasurers Need to Know
In the new Treasury in Practice Guide, AFP provides you with the tools you need to stop business email compromise (BEC) scams before they start.
In the new Treasury in Practice Guide, AFP provides you with the tools you need to stop business email compromise (BEC) scams before they start.
12/08/2015
Mentality Change: Time to Rethink Cash Forecasting
There is often a perception that cash forecasting is solely a treasury task. However, in an environment such as Turkey, by only utilizing customer open items and their due dates, it can lead to inefficiencies in cash management between bank accounts.
There is often a perception that cash forecasting is solely a treasury task. However, in an environment such as Turkey, by only utilizing customer open items and their due dates, it can lead to inefficiencies in cash management between bank accounts.
12/08/2015
Economists Join Chorus Predicting Fed Rate Hike in December
A consensus of bank economists believe the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates 25 basis points when the FOMC meets on December 16.
A consensus of bank economists believe the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates 25 basis points when the FOMC meets on December 16.
12/07/2015
3 Principles to Help Treasurers Manage Volatile Cash Flows
Managing a company with volatile cash flows presents unique challenges. There are three key principles that treasury must consider.
Managing a company with volatile cash flows presents unique challenges. There are three key principles that treasury must consider.
12/07/2015
Keys to Negotiating Credit Facilities
Three corporate treasury executives provided financial professionals with some helpful tips on securing and negotiating credit facilities during a session at the 2015 AFP Annual Conference in Denver.
Three corporate treasury executives provided financial professionals with some helpful tips on securing and negotiating credit facilities during a session at the 2015 AFP Annual Conference in Denver.
12/07/2015
KYC: An Invasion of Privacy for Treasury and Finance
Banks are going to extremes over KYC regulations. Corporate treasury and finance professionals obviously want to comply, but are banks going too far?
Banks are going to extremes over KYC regulations. Corporate treasury and finance professionals obviously want to comply, but are banks going too far?
12/04/2015
Driver-Based Models: Defining the Mathematical Link
Driver-based models express the mathematical relationship between key business drivers and financial performance. But how can companies create the right algorithms to capture that relationship?
Driver-based models express the mathematical relationship between key business drivers and financial performance. But how can companies create the right algorithms to capture that relationship?
12/04/2015
FP&A: New Forecasting Challenges Lie Ahead
In the latest issue of AFP’s FP&A Newsletter, we look at how the New York Attorney General’s decision on Peabody Energy may have implications for FP&A.
In the latest issue of AFP’s FP&A Newsletter, we look at how the New York Attorney General’s decision on Peabody Energy may have implications for FP&A.
12/03/2015
Feds Are Hacking Companies. Here’s Why You Should Want This.
One of the most successful ways to ensure your organization’s systems and procedures are safe from cybercrime is to have an outside organization test them. And one federal government agency will do just that—free of charge.
One of the most successful ways to ensure your organization’s systems and procedures are safe from cybercrime is to have an outside organization test them. And one federal government agency will do just that—free of charge.
12/03/2015
Forecasting Tomorrow: 3 Challenges FP&A will Face in 2016
The role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals will only become more critical next year. That means FP&A will have to up the ante on forecasting, business partnership and talent.
The role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals will only become more critical next year. That means FP&A will have to up the ante on forecasting, business partnership and talent.
12/03/2015
A CFO’s Lament: ‘The 5 Mistakes I Would Not Repeat’
The best companies reward employees who share their mistakes, so that others don’t commit the same errors. You first need to make mistakes to learn from them.
The best companies reward employees who share their mistakes, so that others don’t commit the same errors. You first need to make mistakes to learn from them.
12/02/2015
CTP Exam Tips: Laying the Groundwork
When studying for the CTP Exam, it is crucial to create a plan of attack.
When studying for the CTP Exam, it is crucial to create a plan of attack.
12/02/2015
RMB Is Now a Reserve Currency. What It Means for Treasurers
The Chinese renminbi has met the criteria to be included in the SDR basket. For corporate treasury and finance professionals, this news has major implications.
The Chinese renminbi has met the criteria to be included in the SDR basket. For corporate treasury and finance professionals, this news has major implications.
12/01/2015
