Articles
Cybersecurity: Setting an Appropriate Management Strategy
The new CTC Guide to Cybersecurity: Setting a Cyberrisk Management Strategy, supported by Marsh & McLennan Companies, presents organizations with the means to establish a cybersecurity management strategy and policy, both at corporate level and within the treasury department. By taking a three-step approach to developing this strategy, companies can be highly effective.
The new CTC Guide to Cybersecurity: Setting a Cyberrisk Management Strategy, supported by Marsh & McLennan Companies, presents organizations with the means to establish a cybersecurity management strategy and policy, both at corporate level and within the treasury department. By taking a three-step approach to developing this strategy, companies can be highly effective.
02/17/2015
Bottom Line: Is Your Department Vulnerable to Attacks?
Many businesses employ computer-literate, financially secure people of a certain age—and recent statistics show that this makes them vulnerable to a variety of scams.
Many businesses employ computer-literate, financially secure people of a certain age—and recent statistics show that this makes them vulnerable to a variety of scams.
02/13/2015
What Treasury, Finance Execs want from their Vendors in 2015
Here’s a roundup of corporate treasury and finance professionals’ concerns, based on conversations with major financial institutions and corporate treasury and finance vendors.
Here’s a roundup of corporate treasury and finance professionals’ concerns, based on conversations with major financial institutions and corporate treasury and finance vendors.
02/13/2015
Obama: Companies are Stepping Up their Cybersecurity Efforts
President Obama signed a cybersecurity executive order last week as part of an effort to encourage the private sector to share information with the federal government when it detects cyberthreats. The Administration noted that it has been impressed by companies’ efforts to step up to the plate on cybersecurity.
President Obama signed a cybersecurity executive order last week as part of an effort to encourage the private sector to share information with the federal government when it detects cyberthreats. The Administration noted that it has been impressed by companies’ efforts to step up to the plate on cybersecurity.
02/12/2015
February Risk Newsletter: The Top Drivers of Uncertainty
When it comes to risk, the results are in: Check out the 2015 AFP Risk Survey in the February issue of Risk newsletter to learn the top five drivers of uncertainty.
When it comes to risk, the results are in: Check out the 2015 AFP Risk Survey in the February issue of Risk newsletter to learn the top five drivers of uncertainty.
02/12/2015
Treasurer Tells Her Peers: Seek Out Challenging Assignments
Christy Barwick, CTP, treasurer of Intellectual Ventures, has a message for her fellow practitioners: Don’t wait for new and challenging assignments to come to you. Seek them out.
Christy Barwick, CTP, treasurer of Intellectual Ventures, has a message for her fellow practitioners: Don’t wait for new and challenging assignments to come to you. Seek them out.
02/12/2015
Obama Creates Cyberthreat Agency – Firms Likely Will Assist
Cybersecurity—clearly a key concern for all treasury and finance professionals today—is also at the top of the list for President Obama. On Tuesday, the President announced the formation of a new agency that aims to combat the threat of cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity—clearly a key concern for all treasury and finance professionals today—is also at the top of the list for President Obama. On Tuesday, the President announced the formation of a new agency that aims to combat the threat of cyberattacks.
02/11/2015
Same-Day ACH Is Almost Here for Treasurers, Banks
NACHA’s same-day ACH initiative is gaining traction among corporate treasurers and banks. The message is clear: corporate treasurers want their payments to be settled faster, and the banks feel NACHA’s new approach is the way to make that happen.
NACHA’s same-day ACH initiative is gaining traction among corporate treasurers and banks. The message is clear: corporate treasurers want their payments to be settled faster, and the banks feel NACHA’s new approach is the way to make that happen.
02/11/2015
Fueled by Forecasting: Q&A with Matthijs Schot of Maersk
Plummeting oil prices have dramatically affected the outlook of many energy companies. To get a better sense of how one such firm is coping, AFP spoke with Matthijs Schot, general manager of performance and analysis, A.P. Møller Maersk Group Copenhagen Area, Capital Region, Denmark Financial Services.
Plummeting oil prices have dramatically affected the outlook of many energy companies. To get a better sense of how one such firm is coping, AFP spoke with Matthijs Schot, general manager of performance and analysis, A.P. Møller Maersk Group Copenhagen Area, Capital Region, Denmark Financial Services.
02/10/2015
5 Billing and Payments Trends Treasurers Should Keep in Mind
Treasury and finance professionals are uncovering ways to improve both internal and customer-facing activities by closely evaluating their processes for billing and payments. Here are five trends to keep in mind.
Treasury and finance professionals are uncovering ways to improve both internal and customer-facing activities by closely evaluating their processes for billing and payments. Here are five trends to keep in mind.
02/10/2015
Corporate Finance Week: Alert for Treasurers - Fed Tightening
Given the belief the U.S. economy has fully recovered and passed the point of precarious balance, the market is beginning to price in “when” the Fed will tighten rather than “if” it will tighten.
Given the belief the U.S. economy has fully recovered and passed the point of precarious balance, the market is beginning to price in “when” the Fed will tighten rather than “if” it will tighten.
02/09/2015
MMFs or SMAs? Why a Hybrid Approach Can Work
Money market funds (MMFs) and separately managed accounts (SMAs) are both important—if slightly different—investment strategies. Corporations who are confident in the vector of the current economy should consider a mixed MMF/SMA approach.
Money market funds (MMFs) and separately managed accounts (SMAs) are both important—if slightly different—investment strategies. Corporations who are confident in the vector of the current economy should consider a mixed MMF/SMA approach.
02/06/2015
New: FP&A Leadership Summit to Offer Insights, Networking
As part of its continuing efforts to support financial planning and analysis professionals around the world, the Association for Financial Professionals is proud to introduce the AFP Financial Planning and Analysis Leadership Summit, May 19-20, in Amsterdam.
As part of its continuing efforts to support financial planning and analysis professionals around the world, the Association for Financial Professionals is proud to introduce the AFP Financial Planning and Analysis Leadership Summit, May 19-20, in Amsterdam.
02/06/2015
Top Insights for January: Chip & PIN, ERM and Board Reports
Counting down the five most popular AFP articles for the month of January based on page views -- with insights on chip-and-PIN, ERM, presenting to the board, and more.
Counting down the five most popular AFP articles for the month of January based on page views -- with insights on chip-and-PIN, ERM, presenting to the board, and more.
02/06/2015
Obama’s Cyberczar Offers Little Insight, Help to Treasurers
President Obama’s cyberczar had few encouraging words for treasury and finance professionals during a recent webinar. Items discussed included cyberlegislation, the Anthem Inc. breach and information sharing.
President Obama’s cyberczar had few encouraging words for treasury and finance professionals during a recent webinar. Items discussed included cyberlegislation, the Anthem Inc. breach and information sharing.
02/05/2015
February FP&A Newsletter: 5 Benefits of Post Capex Analysis
FP&A professional John Fruin offers five reasons why -- and how -- your organziation should conduct a post capital expenditure analysis.
FP&A professional John Fruin offers five reasons why -- and how -- your organziation should conduct a post capital expenditure analysis.
02/05/2015
Would Obama’s Tax Plan Prompt Companies to Repatriate Cash?
President Obama’s 2016 budget plan is taking aim at a loophole that allows U.S. companies to hold a surplus of cash overseas without paying taxes on it. But while the plan could bring money back to the United States, it does little to encourage businesses to actually invest their offshore cash back home.
President Obama’s 2016 budget plan is taking aim at a loophole that allows U.S. companies to hold a surplus of cash overseas without paying taxes on it. But while the plan could bring money back to the United States, it does little to encourage businesses to actually invest their offshore cash back home.
02/04/2015
One Step Beyond: Moving FP&A Toward Advanced Analytics
FP&A professionals recently attended the FP&A Advisory Board Meeting in London to discuss how they can move from basic to advanced analytics. Nigel Geary, BI specialist at British Gas, led the discussion.
FP&A professionals recently attended the FP&A Advisory Board Meeting in London to discuss how they can move from basic to advanced analytics. Nigel Geary, BI specialist at British Gas, led the discussion.
02/03/2015
Corporate Finance Week: The U.S. vs. the Rest of the World
In the U.S., there is solid job growth, with low interest rates and little to no inflation—in the Rest of the World (ROW), there are fears of stagflation and recession.
In the U.S., there is solid job growth, with low interest rates and little to no inflation—in the Rest of the World (ROW), there are fears of stagflation and recession.
02/02/2015
Treasury Experts: Security is the Key to Apple Pay’s Success
With Apple Pay reportedly going strong and Samsung poised to enter the mobile wallet race, mobile payments might be truly going mainstream. The key to long-term success for these and any future mobile payments services will be security, treasury experts say.
With Apple Pay reportedly going strong and Samsung poised to enter the mobile wallet race, mobile payments might be truly going mainstream. The key to long-term success for these and any future mobile payments services will be security, treasury experts say.
02/02/2015
AFP Fraudwatch: Think Twice Before Sending that Wire
The IC3 sent out an alert this week that cybercriminals stole nearly $215 million from businesses through a scam known as the business email compromise (BEC). The scam will sound all too familiar to many corporate treasurers who regularly make wire transfers.
The IC3 sent out an alert this week that cybercriminals stole nearly $215 million from businesses through a scam known as the business email compromise (BEC). The scam will sound all too familiar to many corporate treasurers who regularly make wire transfers.
01/30/2015
12 Tips to Decide When to Return Capital to Shareholders
Based on interviews with treasury practitioners, AFP collected the 12 pointers to help treasury groups in the process of determining their organization’s capital structure.
Based on interviews with treasury practitioners, AFP collected the 12 pointers to help treasury groups in the process of determining their organization’s capital structure.
01/29/2015
Futures in Finance: How to Be Effective in the Boardroom
This month, Vivian James Rigney, executive and leadership coach for Inside Us, provides treasury and finance professionals with tips on how to improve communication in the boardroom. Also, AFP is looking for practitioners to participate in updating the body of knowledge for the CTP examination.
This month, Vivian James Rigney, executive and leadership coach for Inside Us, provides treasury and finance professionals with tips on how to improve communication in the boardroom. Also, AFP is looking for practitioners to participate in updating the body of knowledge for the CTP examination.
01/29/2015
‘Stick to Your Knitting’: 3 ERM Challenges for Treasurers
When it comes to leading their company's ERM efforts, corporate treasurers who want to gain a broader role often face three key challenges.
When it comes to leading their company's ERM efforts, corporate treasurers who want to gain a broader role often face three key challenges.
01/28/2015
AFP In-Depth Asks: What is Treasury’s Cybersecurity Role?
In a new video series for corporate treasury and finance professionals, AFP In-Depth spoke with Gen. Keith Alexander, former head of the National Security Agency, about cybersecurity.
In a new video series for corporate treasury and finance professionals, AFP In-Depth spoke with Gen. Keith Alexander, former head of the National Security Agency, about cybersecurity.
01/28/2015
Finally: The Fed Outlines Plan for Speeding Up U.S. Payments
The Federal Reserve released a whitepaper this week detailing its plan for speeding up the U.S. payments system. Corporate treasurers would be wise to get involved in the process, to ensure that their voices aren’t lost in the shuffle.
The Federal Reserve released a whitepaper this week detailing its plan for speeding up the U.S. payments system. Corporate treasurers would be wise to get involved in the process, to ensure that their voices aren’t lost in the shuffle.
01/27/2015
Prudent Steps: How Your Firm Can Define Its Risk Appetite
Bank are required to file risk appetite statements, but non-financial companies can benefit, too, by using their ERM programs to define their tolerance for risk.
Bank are required to file risk appetite statements, but non-financial companies can benefit, too, by using their ERM programs to define their tolerance for risk.
01/27/2015
AFP EconWatch: A Bright First Quarter for U.S. Businesses
U.S. businesses are expecting to shed cash holdings during the first quarter. Additionally, U.S. business activity in Q4 2014 was robust, and home sales picked up in December.
U.S. businesses are expecting to shed cash holdings during the first quarter. Additionally, U.S. business activity in Q4 2014 was robust, and home sales picked up in December.
01/26/2015
Survey: U.S. Businesses Plan to Spend Cash, Treasurers Say
Amid expectations of further U.S. economic growth, treasurers overwhelmingly expect their companies to deploy cash in the coming quarter, according to the AFP Corporate Cash Indicators® (AFP CCI).
Amid expectations of further U.S. economic growth, treasurers overwhelmingly expect their companies to deploy cash in the coming quarter, according to the AFP Corporate Cash Indicators® (AFP CCI).
01/26/2015
Treasurers Relay Their Cash Management Concerns to Bankers
At the Cash Management Forum's most recent gathering, leading transaction bankers from over 35 North American banks listened to a panel of treasury executives arranged by Craig Martin, executive director of AFP’s Corporate Treasurers Council.
At the Cash Management Forum's most recent gathering, leading transaction bankers from over 35 North American banks listened to a panel of treasury executives arranged by Craig Martin, executive director of AFP’s Corporate Treasurers Council.
01/23/2015
Exec: Don’t Be Afraid to Let FP&A Handle Your ERM Efforts
Who owns enterprise risk management within an organization? Increasingly, it’s the financial planning and analysis group.
Who owns enterprise risk management within an organization? Increasingly, it’s the financial planning and analysis group.
01/23/2015
AFP Payments: Treasurers Must Tighten their Cybersecurity
This month, Payments looks at President Obama’s push for cybersecurity legislation, which would require businesses to notify their customers within 30 days of a security breach. Also, the chip and PIN/signature debate continues, details on NACHA's new same-day ACH system, and more.
This month, Payments looks at President Obama’s push for cybersecurity legislation, which would require businesses to notify their customers within 30 days of a security breach. Also, the chip and PIN/signature debate continues, details on NACHA's new same-day ACH system, and more.
01/22/2015
Supreme Court Shoots Down Retailers over Interchange
Retail treasurers were dealt a harsh blow when the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a lower court decision that upheld current rules on debit interchange fees.
Retail treasurers were dealt a harsh blow when the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a lower court decision that upheld current rules on debit interchange fees.
01/22/2015
How One Sporting Goods Retailer Identifies Big Risks
Big 5 Sporting Goods began its ERM program in 2011. The CFO took the leading role and has been the champion of the program internally. He assigned the ERM leadership role to treasury.
Big 5 Sporting Goods began its ERM program in 2011. The CFO took the leading role and has been the champion of the program internally. He assigned the ERM leadership role to treasury.
01/22/2015
AFP Survey: Earnings Uncertainty, Cyberattacks Top of Mind
Uncertainty over corporate earnings continues but is leveling off, according to the 2015 AFP Risk Survey, produced in conjunction with Oliver Wyman, part of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Cyberattacks are also top-of-mind for many financial professionals, with reputational risk viewed as the most serious consequence.
Uncertainty over corporate earnings continues but is leveling off, according to the 2015 AFP Risk Survey, produced in conjunction with Oliver Wyman, part of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Cyberattacks are also top-of-mind for many financial professionals, with reputational risk viewed as the most serious consequence.
01/21/2015
State of the Union Address Offered Little for Treasurers
President Barack Obama’s annual State of the Union Address last night offered little for corporate treasury and finance professionals. The speech, which focused on what the President called “middle-class economics,” did address corporate taxes and cybersecurity.
President Barack Obama’s annual State of the Union Address last night offered little for corporate treasury and finance professionals. The speech, which focused on what the President called “middle-class economics,” did address corporate taxes and cybersecurity.
01/21/2015
Key Senator Speaks Out: Banks Should Issue Chip & PIN
While some payments analysts argue that EMV chip-and-PIN cards do not provide much more security than chip-and-signature cards, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) disagrees. Warner is calling on regulators to force banks to issue chip-and-PIN cards.
While some payments analysts argue that EMV chip-and-PIN cards do not provide much more security than chip-and-signature cards, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) disagrees. Warner is calling on regulators to force banks to issue chip-and-PIN cards.
01/20/2015
AFP Seeks Volunteers to Update CTP Body of Knowledge
AFP is seeking qualified subject matter experts to participate on the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) Body of Knowledge Committee. “The Essentials of Treasury Management”, the body of knowledge (BoK) for AFP and the CTP examination, is reviewed and updated every three years.
AFP is seeking qualified subject matter experts to participate on the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) Body of Knowledge Committee. “The Essentials of Treasury Management”, the body of knowledge (BoK) for AFP and the CTP examination, is reviewed and updated every three years.
01/15/2015
January 2015 Risk: New Year, New Risks, New Solutions
Happy 2015! The New Year has already brought plenty of risk -- plummeting oil prices, the rising U.S. dollar and European troubles. But the January Risk newsletter is here to help.
Happy 2015! The New Year has already brought plenty of risk -- plummeting oil prices, the rising U.S. dollar and European troubles. But the January Risk newsletter is here to help.
01/15/2015
How One Firm Coordinates Risk Across Functions
After Spectra Energy became an independent, publicly traded company, it need to determine a central location where risk excellence would reside. It was agreed that the function would reside under the CFO’s purview, and the treasury department was ultimately selected to lead the effort.
After Spectra Energy became an independent, publicly traded company, it need to determine a central location where risk excellence would reside. It was agreed that the function would reside under the CFO’s purview, and the treasury department was ultimately selected to lead the effort.
01/15/2015
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