Articles
Out With the Old: How Finance Professionals Can Wrap Up Big Projects
Wrapping up a big project requires more than just executing on a final deliverable.
Wrapping up a big project requires more than just executing on a final deliverable.
01/04/2018
Technology Can Bridge the Gap Between Finance Functions
Jean Furter, Vice President, Treasurer of Brocade Communications Systems, discusses how technology can bring treasury and FP&A closer together.
Jean Furter, Vice President, Treasurer of Brocade Communications Systems, discusses how technology can bring treasury and FP&A closer together.
01/02/2018
New Year's Resolutions for Finance in 2018 - One for Each Month
In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, and tailored for the finance audience, my goals for 2018 of things to learn and do, one for each month.
In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, and tailored for the finance audience, my goals for 2018 of things to learn and do, one for each month.
01/01/2018
Companies Can't Quit The Budget
Years of a criticism of budgeting doesn’t appear to have dented companies’ commitments to the budget process, a new AFP member survey has found.
Years of a criticism of budgeting doesn’t appear to have dented companies’ commitments to the budget process, a new AFP member survey has found.
12/22/2017
When Does Using Interim Treasury Resources Make Sense?
In today’s world of doing more with less, using interim treasury resources can be a way of continuing to operate and achieve change initiatives.
In today’s world of doing more with less, using interim treasury resources can be a way of continuing to operate and achieve change initiatives.
12/19/2017
Aligning Corporate Strategy Using Modified ZBB
Jeremiah Wise, Chief Financial Officer of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, discusses how his organization adopted a modified version of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) to accommodate multiple business units with vastly different outcome measures.
Jeremiah Wise, Chief Financial Officer of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, discusses how his organization adopted a modified version of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) to accommodate multiple business units with vastly different outcome measures.
12/14/2017
2017 Pinnacle Awards: Hyundai Capital America
Hyundai Capital America introduced a global USD issuance strategy, which won it a 2017 AFP Pinnacle Award. The Pinnacle Awards are sponsored by Wells Fargo & Company.
Hyundai Capital America introduced a global USD issuance strategy, which won it a 2017 AFP Pinnacle Award. The Pinnacle Awards are sponsored by Wells Fargo & Company.
12/13/2017
Planning in the Age of Volatility
A new guide, underwritten by Workiva, examines how FP&A can prepare for volatility, and react quickly when it occurs.
A new guide, underwritten by Workiva, examines how FP&A can prepare for volatility, and react quickly when it occurs.
12/12/2017
Adopting a Rolling Forecast Requires a Cultural Change
Nevine White, Executive in Residence for the Beyond Budgeting Roundtable North America, describes how implementing a rolling forecast requires a major cultural overhaul for most organizations.
Nevine White, Executive in Residence for the Beyond Budgeting Roundtable North America, describes how implementing a rolling forecast requires a major cultural overhaul for most organizations.
12/11/2017
Blockchain Will Kill the Invoice. Here’s Why.
It’s clear blockchain will have a significant influence on procurement and finance. The advantages of being able to streamline business processes, secure payments, and automate workloads shouldn’t be understated.
It’s clear blockchain will have a significant influence on procurement and finance. The advantages of being able to streamline business processes, secure payments, and automate workloads shouldn’t be understated.
12/08/2017
AFP Mindshift: Will Technology Replace Treasury?
Jean Furter, Vice President, Treasurer for Brocade Communications Systems, explains why some treasury jobs could be phased out in the near future, and what practitioners need to do to prepare.
Jean Furter, Vice President, Treasurer for Brocade Communications Systems, explains why some treasury jobs could be phased out in the near future, and what practitioners need to do to prepare.
12/07/2017
FP&A Survey: Is Your Budget Relevant?
Bryan Lapidus, a contributing consultant to AFP, discusses AFP's new FP&A Survey, which looks at whether budgets are still relevant.
Bryan Lapidus, a contributing consultant to AFP, discusses AFP's new FP&A Survey, which looks at whether budgets are still relevant.
12/06/2017
Cash Forecasting: Why Your People Make the Difference
Saumya Mohan, Americas Region Treasurer for Tesla, explains why good cash forecasting largely depends on the people you have in place, rather than the systems that you use.
Saumya Mohan, Americas Region Treasurer for Tesla, explains why good cash forecasting largely depends on the people you have in place, rather than the systems that you use.
12/05/2017
Surprise: Most Firms Still Do Traditional Budgeting
According to a new AFP Survey, nearly three quarters of FP&A professionals agree or strongly agree that the budget is a valuable tool.
According to a new AFP Survey, nearly three quarters of FP&A professionals agree or strongly agree that the budget is a valuable tool.
12/05/2017
NACHA Proposes Increasing Limit for Same Day ACH Payments
NACHA is requesting comment on a proposal to expand Same Day ACH. One change would be an increase of the per-transaction limit to $100,000.
NACHA is requesting comment on a proposal to expand Same Day ACH. One change would be an increase of the per-transaction limit to $100,000.
12/04/2017
AFP Viewpoint: How Treasurers Can Manage Card Fees
The new AFP Payments Guide, underwritten by MUFG Union Bank, aims to shed some light over the very complex nature of credit card payments.
The new AFP Payments Guide, underwritten by MUFG Union Bank, aims to shed some light over the very complex nature of credit card payments.
12/01/2017
4 Ways Treasurers Can Protect Customer Data—Plus KYC Advice
Austin O’Brion co-founder of Token of Trust, offers treasury professionals tips on protecting customer data, as well as advice on keeping KYC information secure.
Austin O’Brion co-founder of Token of Trust, offers treasury professionals tips on protecting customer data, as well as advice on keeping KYC information secure.
11/30/2017
FP&A Pros Should Learn the Taxonomy of Risk. Here's Why.
In FP&A, we focus on how to achieve the goals and create forecasts that show whether we are on track. Our colleagues in risk management start from the same goals, but look at what can prevent us from achieving them.
In FP&A, we focus on how to achieve the goals and create forecasts that show whether we are on track. Our colleagues in risk management start from the same goals, but look at what can prevent us from achieving them.
11/29/2017
Tapscott on Blockchain and the Fourth Industrial Age
Don Tapscott, one of the world’s top experts on distributed ledger technology, discusses how blockchain could reshape treasury and finance in the very near future.
Don Tapscott, one of the world’s top experts on distributed ledger technology, discusses how blockchain could reshape treasury and finance in the very near future.
11/29/2017
Robotic Process Automation: How Treasury Benefits
When senior leadership mandates that you reduce costs over a three-year period, what do you do? If you’re the finance department at Allianz Life, you implement robotic process automation (RPA).
When senior leadership mandates that you reduce costs over a three-year period, what do you do? If you’re the finance department at Allianz Life, you implement robotic process automation (RPA).
11/28/2017
Finance Professionals, How Do You Deliver Bad News?
FP&A professionals discuss the ways that they deliver bad news to senior leadership.
FP&A professionals discuss the ways that they deliver bad news to senior leadership.
11/21/2017
Payments at AFP 2017: 3 Key Takeaways
After the multitude of discussions I had with treasury professionals at AFP 2017 on payments, I walked away with three key takeaways.
After the multitude of discussions I had with treasury professionals at AFP 2017 on payments, I walked away with three key takeaways.
11/20/2017
Handling Cash Continues to Be a Pain Point for Retailers
Retail treasury professionals discussed handling cash during a retail industry roundtable at AFP 2017, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.
Retail treasury professionals discussed handling cash during a retail industry roundtable at AFP 2017, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.
11/20/2017
The Clearing House’s Real Time System Goes Live
RTP, The Clearing House’s real-time payments system, launched this week. BNY Mellon and U.S. Bank initiated the very first real-time payment on the system.
RTP, The Clearing House’s real-time payments system, launched this week. BNY Mellon and U.S. Bank initiated the very first real-time payment on the system.
11/15/2017
FP&A Needs to Get Buy-In From Business Units. Here's How.
Finance often is involved in change management, both inside our own organizations and across functions. I have been thinking about the buy-in in the context of change management inspired by two recent events.
Finance often is involved in change management, both inside our own organizations and across functions. I have been thinking about the buy-in in the context of change management inspired by two recent events.
11/15/2017
Survey: Few Finance Pros Are Ready for Digital Disruption
Finance professionals know that new technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain will disrupt their function, yet they believe their organizations are not prepared for the coming changes.
Finance professionals know that new technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain will disrupt their function, yet they believe their organizations are not prepared for the coming changes.
11/14/2017
FP&A: Confronting Cognitive Bias
How are FP&A professionals to know what they don’t know when the very atmosphere seems choked with unknown unknowns?
How are FP&A professionals to know what they don’t know when the very atmosphere seems choked with unknown unknowns?
11/13/2017
Understanding Ransomware Attacks: What Are the Risks?
Bob Stark, Vice President of Strategy for Kyriba, discusses the ongoing threat of ransomware attacks.
Bob Stark, Vice President of Strategy for Kyriba, discusses the ongoing threat of ransomware attacks.
11/09/2017
People Are the Key to Cash Forecasting
One thing quickly became clear during an AFP 2017 session on cash forecasting—to be effective, you need to be able to rely on the people around you.
One thing quickly became clear during an AFP 2017 session on cash forecasting—to be effective, you need to be able to rely on the people around you.
11/08/2017
Money Funds: The Legislative Push for a Stable NAV Continues
In a recent hearing, Rep. Keith Rothfus referenced a new letter by AFP in support of the Consumer Financial Choice and Capital Markets Protection Act (H.R. 2319).
In a recent hearing, Rep. Keith Rothfus referenced a new letter by AFP in support of the Consumer Financial Choice and Capital Markets Protection Act (H.R. 2319).
11/06/2017
How to Switch the Finance Process from Propeller to Jet Speed
Just getting by with spreadsheets is no longer an option for finance and treasury. The performance advantage gained by efficient analytics is just too large to be without impact.
Just getting by with spreadsheets is no longer an option for finance and treasury. The performance advantage gained by efficient analytics is just too large to be without impact.
11/06/2017
Deadline for Faster Payments Raises Questions for Treasurers
A new faster payment system is scheduled to arrive in the United States by 2020—an aggressive timeframe that suggests corporate treasurers should start thinking sooner rather than later about the potential ramifications.
A new faster payment system is scheduled to arrive in the United States by 2020—an aggressive timeframe that suggests corporate treasurers should start thinking sooner rather than later about the potential ramifications.
11/03/2017
What Can Treasury Learn from the Equifax Breach?
Bob Stark of Kyriba discusses the recent Equifax breach and provides tips for treasury professionals on how their departments can avoid a similar scenario.
Bob Stark of Kyriba discusses the recent Equifax breach and provides tips for treasury professionals on how their departments can avoid a similar scenario.
11/02/2017
Worried About the Economy, U.S. Firms Build Cash Reserves
The latest AFP Corporate Cash Indicators®, signaled that corporate treasury and finance executives are increasingly concerned about the global economy and are stockpiling cash reserves in response.
The latest AFP Corporate Cash Indicators®, signaled that corporate treasury and finance executives are increasingly concerned about the global economy and are stockpiling cash reserves in response.
10/31/2017
It’s Time to Wrap Your Mind Around AFP MindShift
A new report reveals how AFP MindShift will help you begin to make sense of the technological chaos.
A new report reveals how AFP MindShift will help you begin to make sense of the technological chaos.
10/31/2017
Boo! FP&A Professionals, Don’t Be Afraid of Halloween
Of course there is a huge amount of data available, at various levels of aggregation. So at which level are you forecasting?
Of course there is a huge amount of data available, at various levels of aggregation. So at which level are you forecasting?
10/30/2017
Would a Centralized KYC Repository Put Data at Risk?
Would a centralized know-your-customer (KYC) repository create a treasure trove for cybercriminals?
Would a centralized know-your-customer (KYC) repository create a treasure trove for cybercriminals?
10/30/2017
Attention, Corporates: Passwords Just Won’t Cut It Anymore
Although treasury professionals are probably tired of hearing that passwords aren't sufficient to protect customer data, apparently businesses as a whole aren’t getting the message.
Although treasury professionals are probably tired of hearing that passwords aren't sufficient to protect customer data, apparently businesses as a whole aren’t getting the message.
10/25/2017
Interoperability: The Holy Grail of Blockchain
Treasury and finance professionals have heard a lot about blockchain in the past several years. But without interoperability, the technology will never truly break through.
Treasury and finance professionals have heard a lot about blockchain in the past several years. But without interoperability, the technology will never truly break through.
10/25/2017
Focus on Data to Leverage the FP&A Capability Maturity Model
AFP’s FP&A Maturity Model was designed to help organizations determine the level of maturity of their current FP&A capabilities, identify what best-in-class looks like, and what specific actions can improve your team. This month we are examining the data aspect of the Maturity Model.
AFP’s FP&A Maturity Model was designed to help organizations determine the level of maturity of their current FP&A capabilities, identify what best-in-class looks like, and what specific actions can improve your team. This month we are examining the data aspect of the Maturity Model.
10/25/2017
