Articles
Curve Fitting and MAPE: How to Use Them Correctly
Statistical tools are gaining in importance as the volume, variety, and velocity of data increases. Here are two foundational concepts in statistics with direct application to FP&A: Fitting the curve and MAPE.
Statistical tools are gaining in importance as the volume, variety, and velocity of data increases. Here are two foundational concepts in statistics with direct application to FP&A: Fitting the curve and MAPE.
01/07/2019
Improve Your Data Analysis Skills With These Three Steps
How can you improve your data analysis skills? It’s a critical question because data is so crucial to the success of your organization. Here are three steps you can take to improve your data analysis skills.
How can you improve your data analysis skills? It’s a critical question because data is so crucial to the success of your organization. Here are three steps you can take to improve your data analysis skills.
01/02/2019
The Future of FP&A: Nine Predictions for 2019
The future of FP&A promises more uncertainty and change. Here are nine predictions for 2019 made by FP&A professionals.
The future of FP&A promises more uncertainty and change. Here are nine predictions for 2019 made by FP&A professionals.
12/19/2018
Top Nine Lessons for FP&A Professionals in 2018
This has been an eventful year in FP&A. Here are the top nine lessons FP&A professionals learned in 2018.
This has been an eventful year in FP&A. Here are the top nine lessons FP&A professionals learned in 2018.
12/18/2018
FP&A Statistics You Need to Know
Bryan Lapidus, FP&A, Director, FP&A Practice for AFP, discusses the new FP&A Guide on Leveraging Business Statistics, underwritten by Workiva.
Bryan Lapidus, FP&A, Director, FP&A Practice for AFP, discusses the new FP&A Guide on Leveraging Business Statistics, underwritten by Workiva.
12/17/2018
Real-Time Payments in Hong Kong: 3 Benefits
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has launched its Faster Payments System. The goal is to achieve real-time payments in Hong Kong. So far, there are three clear benefits to treasury and payments professionals.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has launched its Faster Payments System. The goal is to achieve real-time payments in Hong Kong. So far, there are three clear benefits to treasury and payments professionals.
12/14/2018
Selecting a Regional Treasury Center Location
The selection process for a regional treasury center (RTC) location is incredibly important. Organizations should pick an area that is geographically close to a region where they have operations, but that is far from the only factor in the decision.
The selection process for a regional treasury center (RTC) location is incredibly important. Organizations should pick an area that is geographically close to a region where they have operations, but that is far from the only factor in the decision.
12/10/2018
Survey: Financial Pros Concerned They Could Become Obsolete
This past summer, more than 900 finance and treasury professionals took part in the 2018 AFP survey, “Your Personal Digital Readiness.” The survey revealed a concern among practitioners that they could become obsolete.
This past summer, more than 900 finance and treasury professionals took part in the 2018 AFP survey, “Your Personal Digital Readiness.” The survey revealed a concern among practitioners that they could become obsolete.
12/07/2018
How to Create a Control Chart
Bryan Lapidus, FP&A, Director, FP&A Practice for AFP, and Avi Singh, Founder and CEO of LearnPowerBI.com, preview the new FP&A Guide on Leveraging Business Statistics, underwritten by Workiva.
Bryan Lapidus, FP&A, Director, FP&A Practice for AFP, and Avi Singh, Founder and CEO of LearnPowerBI.com, preview the new FP&A Guide on Leveraging Business Statistics, underwritten by Workiva.
12/04/2018
Leveraging Business Statistics: Use Cases for Finance
AFP’s latest Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Guide, underwritten by Workiva, focuses on the power of statistics.
AFP’s latest Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Guide, underwritten by Workiva, focuses on the power of statistics.
12/04/2018
New Fed Council: Can It Move the Needle on Faster Payments?
The Federal Reserve has announced the formation of the U.S. Faster Payments Council (FPC), a multi-industry group brought together to accelerate the adoption of faster payments in the United States.
The Federal Reserve has announced the formation of the U.S. Faster Payments Council (FPC), a multi-industry group brought together to accelerate the adoption of faster payments in the United States.
11/30/2018
Best Practices in Treasury Connectivity
The latest Treasury in Practice Guide, underwritten by Kyriba, examines best practices in treasury connectivity.
The latest Treasury in Practice Guide, underwritten by Kyriba, examines best practices in treasury connectivity.
11/27/2018
4 Tips for Improving Your Sales Forecasting
Accurate sales forecasting is hard. Here are four steps BMC Software took to improve its sales force accuracy.
Accurate sales forecasting is hard. Here are four steps BMC Software took to improve its sales force accuracy.
11/20/2018
Digital Readiness Assessment: How to Improve Your Finance Team
Next week, we will report on the results of the corporate finance survey, “Your Personal Digital Readiness.” At AFP 2018, we previewed the results and asked a roundtable group for their feedback. The group came up with three ways to improve their team’s readiness, and one surprising way not to do it.
Next week, we will report on the results of the corporate finance survey, “Your Personal Digital Readiness.” At AFP 2018, we previewed the results and asked a roundtable group for their feedback. The group came up with three ways to improve their team’s readiness, and one surprising way not to do it.
11/15/2018
What’s Wrong With This Picture, FP&A Professionals?
FP&A professionals pride themselves on presenting information in a clear and concise manner. SO what’s wrong with this picture?
FP&A professionals pride themselves on presenting information in a clear and concise manner. SO what’s wrong with this picture?
11/13/2018
Regional Treasury Centers in Hong Kong: What Treasurers Should Know
Enoch Fung, Head of Market Development for the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, spoke to AFP about why American companies should establish regional treasury centres in Hong Kong.
Enoch Fung, Head of Market Development for the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, spoke to AFP about why American companies should establish regional treasury centres in Hong Kong.
11/13/2018
AFP Executive Institute Addresses Fintech, Mitigating Crises
To help corporate treasurers and chief financial officers plan and prepare for technological disruption and possible crises that come from sudden change, the 2018 AFP Executive Institute, sponsored by PNC Bank, will take place November 5-6 in Chicago.
To help corporate treasurers and chief financial officers plan and prepare for technological disruption and possible crises that come from sudden change, the 2018 AFP Executive Institute, sponsored by PNC Bank, will take place November 5-6 in Chicago.
11/01/2018
Welcome to AFP 2018
Jim Kaitz, President and CEO of the Association for Financial Professionals, welcomes you to AFP 2018, November 4-7 in Chicago.
Jim Kaitz, President and CEO of the Association for Financial Professionals, welcomes you to AFP 2018, November 4-7 in Chicago.
11/01/2018
Keys to Operating Regional Treasury Centers
Nick Powell, global head of commercialization, liquidity and investment products for HSBC, provides some best practices for treasury departments that are considering opening a regional treasury center.
Nick Powell, global head of commercialization, liquidity and investment products for HSBC, provides some best practices for treasury departments that are considering opening a regional treasury center.
11/01/2018
New Skills Needed in the Workplace for Today’s Digital World
New skills needed in the workplace today’s digital world may seem obvious to many. However, some financial planning and analysis teams still have some catching up to do. FP&A needs to improve its digital skills to make finance greater than the sum of its parts.
New skills needed in the workplace today’s digital world may seem obvious to many. However, some financial planning and analysis teams still have some catching up to do. FP&A needs to improve its digital skills to make finance greater than the sum of its parts.
10/30/2018
Establishing & Structuring Regional Treasury Centers
The latest AFP Executive Guide, underwritten by Thomson Reuters, reviews the factors that organizations need to consider when establishing and structuring a regional treasury center.
The latest AFP Executive Guide, underwritten by Thomson Reuters, reviews the factors that organizations need to consider when establishing and structuring a regional treasury center.
10/29/2018
#AFPJargonWatch: Edge Computing
Edge computing is moving computing processing power close to the data source, where it is embedded in objects that were previously non-computational devices.
Edge computing is moving computing processing power close to the data source, where it is embedded in objects that were previously non-computational devices.
10/29/2018
U.S. Firms Remain Reluctant to Invest Cash Reserves
U.S. companies continued to build cash reserves in the third quarter of 2018, according to the latest AFP Corporate Cash Indicators®, underwritten by BMO.
U.S. companies continued to build cash reserves in the third quarter of 2018, according to the latest AFP Corporate Cash Indicators®, underwritten by BMO.
10/29/2018
Noninterest Bearing Deposits Soon to Be Nonentities?
Companies have been pulling cash out of noninterest earning deposits, and banks have been taking a hit. However, this could also have negative ramifications for corporates in the long run.
Companies have been pulling cash out of noninterest earning deposits, and banks have been taking a hit. However, this could also have negative ramifications for corporates in the long run.
10/26/2018
Forecasting in a VUCA World: 2 Approaches for FP&A
Forecasting is challenging—and even more so in the current volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment businesses now operate in. Here are two approaches to forecasting in a VUCA world for financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals.
Forecasting is challenging—and even more so in the current volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment businesses now operate in. Here are two approaches to forecasting in a VUCA world for financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals.
10/26/2018
Finance Teams, Take Advantage of Bots
Within the bot industry is a subset that is especially appealing to finance—visual automation tools especially designed for non-technical users.
Within the bot industry is a subset that is especially appealing to finance—visual automation tools especially designed for non-technical users.
10/24/2018
Why Were Brexit Forecasts So Wrong?
When British voters decided in July 2016 to leave the European Union, virtually every governmental economic unit, bank, and private forecast predicted a disaster for the UK. The reality is much different.
When British voters decided in July 2016 to leave the European Union, virtually every governmental economic unit, bank, and private forecast predicted a disaster for the UK. The reality is much different.
10/23/2018
Real-Time Payments in Asia-Pacific: SWIFT Launches Pilot
SWIFT has completed a successful connection of its gpi cross-border payments service to the real-time payments system in Australia.
SWIFT has completed a successful connection of its gpi cross-border payments service to the real-time payments system in Australia.
10/23/2018
Fintech Survey Reveals Gap Between Enthusiasm and Adoption
The 2018 AFP Technology Survey, Underwritten by BELLIN, reveals a gap between enthusiasm for fintech and leveraging it within the organization.
The 2018 AFP Technology Survey, Underwritten by BELLIN, reveals a gap between enthusiasm for fintech and leveraging it within the organization.
10/17/2018
Faster Payments Use Cases: Feedback from Corporate Treasury
NACHA received quite a bit of feedback on why U.S. corporate adoption of faster payments is an uphill climb during a session at the latest Payments Innovation Alliance meeting.
NACHA received quite a bit of feedback on why U.S. corporate adoption of faster payments is an uphill climb during a session at the latest Payments Innovation Alliance meeting.
10/16/2018
Adoption of the FX Global Code Exceeds Expectations
The GFXC has published an update to the Foreign Exchange Global Code. The document is a must-read for any corporate treasury executive with FX responsibility for their organization.
The GFXC has published an update to the Foreign Exchange Global Code. The document is a must-read for any corporate treasury executive with FX responsibility for their organization.
10/16/2018
How to Calculate Your Return On Security Investments: FP&A’s Role
It is a challenge to calculate the return on investment for IT and security. ROSI, or return on security investment, is a modified ROI calculation, where the net benefit is the annual cost of security breaches avoided as compared to the prevention cost incurred. Here is how to calculate your return on security investments.
It is a challenge to calculate the return on investment for IT and security. ROSI, or return on security investment, is a modified ROI calculation, where the net benefit is the annual cost of security breaches avoided as compared to the prevention cost incurred. Here is how to calculate your return on security investments.
10/16/2018
Applying Cost of Capital in Corporate Finance
In our previous article on cost of capital, we covered the components of the calculation, where to find the data, and comparison to cost of equity and cost of debt. In this article, we discuss how corporate finance professionals apply the cost of capital in their daily work.
In our previous article on cost of capital, we covered the components of the calculation, where to find the data, and comparison to cost of equity and cost of debt. In this article, we discuss how corporate finance professionals apply the cost of capital in their daily work.
10/15/2018
Cost of Capital: How Relevant is it for Your Organization?
More than 600 finance professionals took part in the 2017 AFP FP&A Survey. Inside the survey were four questions about the cost of capital. The questions strive to depart from the detail and calculation of cost of capital and instead ask how finance practitioners use cost of capital on a daily basis.
More than 600 finance professionals took part in the 2017 AFP FP&A Survey. Inside the survey were four questions about the cost of capital. The questions strive to depart from the detail and calculation of cost of capital and instead ask how finance practitioners use cost of capital on a daily basis.
10/11/2018
Agile Finance Principles: How FP&A Teams Should Prepare
Though agile methodology began in the IT department, it soon spread throughout the entire organization. Agile finance principles have major implications for FP&A.
Though agile methodology began in the IT department, it soon spread throughout the entire organization. Agile finance principles have major implications for FP&A.
10/05/2018
Undergoing a Finance Transformation
Due to increasing pressures across the asset management industry, Invesco's finance team has been required to up its game and make strategic decisions to support the business as a whole.
Due to increasing pressures across the asset management industry, Invesco's finance team has been required to up its game and make strategic decisions to support the business as a whole.
10/05/2018
Four Success Factors for Treasury Centres
A leading practice in treasury management is to centralise operations into a treasury centre, and an in-house bank (IHB) is considered a best-in-class structure of a regional or global treasury function. However, only a small number of companies have adopted this structure. Here are four factors to successfully transform their existing treasury operations into a treasury centre.
A leading practice in treasury management is to centralise operations into a treasury centre, and an in-house bank (IHB) is considered a best-in-class structure of a regional or global treasury function. However, only a small number of companies have adopted this structure. Here are four factors to successfully transform their existing treasury operations into a treasury centre.
10/04/2018
NACHA Buys BPDA, Developing Blockchain B2B Directory
NACHA has acquired the Business Payments Directory Association (BPDA), seeking to advance efforts to develop a B2B Directory that would provide corporate treasury professionals with extended remittance information.
NACHA has acquired the Business Payments Directory Association (BPDA), seeking to advance efforts to develop a B2B Directory that would provide corporate treasury professionals with extended remittance information.
10/02/2018
Treasury Job Descriptions
Treasury job descriptions, from the Treasurer through Assistant Cash Manager, with suggested experience, job knowledge and skills outlined.
Treasury job descriptions, from the Treasurer through Assistant Cash Manager, with suggested experience, job knowledge and skills outlined.
09/26/2018
Using Blockchain for Intercompany Transactions
Blockchain technology and APIs are being combined to create a solution that aims to dramatically speed up and reduce the costs of settling intercompany transactions.
Blockchain technology and APIs are being combined to create a solution that aims to dramatically speed up and reduce the costs of settling intercompany transactions.
09/25/2018
