Articles
Beyond the Balance Sheet: The Strategic Role of Today’s CFO
There are several best practices CFOs can implement to balance financial stewardship with a focus on profit maximization.
There are several best practices CFOs can implement to balance financial stewardship with a focus on profit maximization.
08/30/2024
Experts from the MEA Region Discuss Centralized vs. Decentralized Treasury Functions
Recently, experts from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region were brought together to discuss the pros and cons of centralized versus decentralized treasury functions.
Recently, experts from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region were brought together to discuss the pros and cons of centralized versus decentralized treasury functions.
08/28/2024
What Treasury Professionals Need to Know About Check Fraud
Three in four organizations are still using checks, according to the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by Truist.
Three in four organizations are still using checks, according to the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by Truist.
08/26/2024
TMS Hunt: Out-of-the-Box vs. Custom Solution to Track Promissory Notes
Manually tracking promissory notes was time-consuming and burdensome, so it became clear that the The Heritage Group treasury team needed to switch to a new treasury management system (TMS) that could automate the process.
Manually tracking promissory notes was time-consuming and burdensome, so it became clear that the The Heritage Group treasury team needed to switch to a new treasury management system (TMS) that could automate the process.
08/23/2024
IBM’s Enterprise Transformation — Finance Technology
The finance domain is ripe for data science and automation solutions to improve efficiency, productivity and reliability.
The finance domain is ripe for data science and automation solutions to improve efficiency, productivity and reliability.
08/20/2024
Use Cases for Generative AI
A large language model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence that can process and produce natural language texts.
A large language model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence that can process and produce natural language texts.
08/20/2024
Applying AI to an EPM System
If you truly are doing a transformation, don’t put the effort into a detailed forecasting process and then turn around and have machine learning come back with better answers. Start with AI and try to skip some of that grinding work.
If you truly are doing a transformation, don’t put the effort into a detailed forecasting process and then turn around and have machine learning come back with better answers. Start with AI and try to skip some of that grinding work.
08/20/2024
Is Now the Time to Focus on Working Capital?
Constant threats to the economy’s health provide an ongoing incentive for companies to build working capital resilience as protection against potential problems.
Constant threats to the economy’s health provide an ongoing incentive for companies to build working capital resilience as protection against potential problems.
08/09/2024
Ask the Experts: Best Practices for Preventing Payments Fraud
At an AFP Member Meet-Up, Tom Hunt, CTP, Director of Treasury Services and Payments, discussed a wide range of payments fraud questions with a panel of payments experts.
At an AFP Member Meet-Up, Tom Hunt, CTP, Director of Treasury Services and Payments, discussed a wide range of payments fraud questions with a panel of payments experts.
08/08/2024
5 Ways to Improve Your Verbal Communication Skills in Finance
Effective communication is the foundation on which strong business relationships are built.
Effective communication is the foundation on which strong business relationships are built.
07/29/2024
Boost Your Financial Analysis Skills with These 4 Tips
Financial analysis helps the business answer three important questions: What happened? So what does it mean? Now, what do we do?
Financial analysis helps the business answer three important questions: What happened? So what does it mean? Now, what do we do?
07/29/2024
What Is the Ideal Number of Banking Relationships?
An important part of treasury management is maintaining the optimal number of banking relationships for an organization.
An important part of treasury management is maintaining the optimal number of banking relationships for an organization.
07/26/2024
How Digitization Can Ease the RFP Process for Treasury
RFP software streamlines the RFP process by allowing organizations to upload all the necessary details for an RFP.
RFP software streamlines the RFP process by allowing organizations to upload all the necessary details for an RFP.
07/25/2024
The Importance of Inclusive Language in the Workplace
What we say — and how we say it — has the power to shape our culture, both societally and in the workplace.
What we say — and how we say it — has the power to shape our culture, both societally and in the workplace.
07/23/2024
Cash Segmentation: The Key to Successful Cash Investing
Cash segmentation is the classification of cash according to the likely future needs of the business and is done by using a cash forecast to categorize cash into virtual “buckets,” with each bucket representing a different time horizon and tolerance for risk.
Cash segmentation is the classification of cash according to the likely future needs of the business and is done by using a cash forecast to categorize cash into virtual “buckets,” with each bucket representing a different time horizon and tolerance for risk.
07/11/2024
Choosing the Right Payment Method: The Pros and Cons of Each
Even amid the widespread digitization of business operations, many companies still use checks to make B2B (business-to-business) payments. But paying and accepting more than one payment method — especially digital payments — is a better approach.
Even amid the widespread digitization of business operations, many companies still use checks to make B2B (business-to-business) payments. But paying and accepting more than one payment method — especially digital payments — is a better approach.
07/08/2024
What Is Variance Analysis?
Variance analysis is a quantitative method used to assess the difference between planned and actual financial outcomes.
Variance analysis is a quantitative method used to assess the difference between planned and actual financial outcomes.
07/03/2024
You’ve Discovered Payments Fraud. Now What?
Has your organization been hit by payments fraud? First, know you are not alone. According to the AFP 2024 Payments Fraud Survey, underwritten by Truist, 80% of organizations were targets of either actual or attempted payments fraud in 2023 — a 15-percentage point increase from the previous year.
Has your organization been hit by payments fraud? First, know you are not alone. According to the AFP 2024 Payments Fraud Survey, underwritten by Truist, 80% of organizations were targets of either actual or attempted payments fraud in 2023 — a 15-percentage point increase from the previous year.
07/01/2024
3 AI and Machine Learning Use Cases in Finance
Data is everywhere, and it’s critical to the work of treasury and FP&A. Some of the ways treasury and FP&A professionals are trying to manage data more efficiently include automation, generative AI and machine learning.
Data is everywhere, and it’s critical to the work of treasury and FP&A. Some of the ways treasury and FP&A professionals are trying to manage data more efficiently include automation, generative AI and machine learning.
07/01/2024
5 Tips to Improve Your Financial Charts and Graphs
An effective chart or graph is more than just getting the numbers right. Many small decisions go into a chart, and they add up to have a big impact on your effectiveness as a finance professional in communicating the data.
An effective chart or graph is more than just getting the numbers right. Many small decisions go into a chart, and they add up to have a big impact on your effectiveness as a finance professional in communicating the data.
06/27/2024
AFP Survey Finds 45% of Organizations Moved Deposits to Large Banks, Proactively Adapting to Challenging Environment
Forty-five percent of organizations moved deposits to large banks, seeking safety in systemically important financial institutions, according to the 2024 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by Invesco.
Forty-five percent of organizations moved deposits to large banks, seeking safety in systemically important financial institutions, according to the 2024 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by Invesco.
06/18/2024
What the U.S. Money Market Fund Reform Means for Treasury Professionals
While the precise impact of the U.S. Money Market Fund Reform is, as yet, unknown, treasury practitioners should try to understand the potential implications for their organizations.
While the precise impact of the U.S. Money Market Fund Reform is, as yet, unknown, treasury practitioners should try to understand the potential implications for their organizations.
06/14/2024
Numbers and Narratives: Where Story Meets Valuation
From an early age, people are divided into two camps: the number crunchers and the storytellers.
From an early age, people are divided into two camps: the number crunchers and the storytellers.
06/12/2024
10 Tips to Maximize Your Networking Opportunities at Professional Conferences
Attending an industry conference can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-timer, it's important to manage your energy and engagement levels to get the most out of the experience.
Attending an industry conference can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-timer, it's important to manage your energy and engagement levels to get the most out of the experience.
06/10/2024
AFP Survey Finds 4.4% Increase in Treasury and Finance Base Salaries in 2023
Treasury and finance professionals received a modest increase of 4.4% in their base salaries in 2023, according to the 2024 AFP Compensation and Benefits Survey Report.
Treasury and finance professionals received a modest increase of 4.4% in their base salaries in 2023, according to the 2024 AFP Compensation and Benefits Survey Report.
05/28/2024
From FP&A Analyst to CFO
In my work as an analyst or as a CFO, I always saw myself as bringing that finance thinking to the business. Even today, I still feel like I wear the hat of a financial analyst because I’m still the same person that I was 20 years ago.
In my work as an analyst or as a CFO, I always saw myself as bringing that finance thinking to the business. Even today, I still feel like I wear the hat of a financial analyst because I’m still the same person that I was 20 years ago.
05/28/2024
Making the Switch: Moving from Checks to Digital Payments
Digital payments are far more efficient, less costly and less vulnerable to fraud. Checks simply come up short in comparison.
Digital payments are far more efficient, less costly and less vulnerable to fraud. Checks simply come up short in comparison.
05/17/2024
Agile Risk Management: Preparing for Success Beyond Adversity
In the contemporary business milieu, characterized by rapid evolution and unpredictability, organizations confront a diverse array of risks that can profoundly influence their operational efficacy, fiscal health and long-term viability.
In the contemporary business milieu, characterized by rapid evolution and unpredictability, organizations confront a diverse array of risks that can profoundly influence their operational efficacy, fiscal health and long-term viability.
05/14/2024
Understanding Money Markets
Money markets refer to a global marketplace where highly liquid (i.e., easily converted to cash) short-term financial investments are traded.
Money markets refer to a global marketplace where highly liquid (i.e., easily converted to cash) short-term financial investments are traded.
05/13/2024
The FP&A Checklist for Period-End Closing
The FP&A calendar is governed by period-end closing. Months, quarters and year-end closes provide the cadence and rhythm to our work.
The FP&A calendar is governed by period-end closing. Months, quarters and year-end closes provide the cadence and rhythm to our work.
05/09/2024
Our Favorite Financial Analyses
As a fun activity to accompany the release of the AFP FP&A Guide to What Is Financial Analysis, we asked the members of our three global FP&A Advisory Councils to share their favorite financial analyses.
As a fun activity to accompany the release of the AFP FP&A Guide to What Is Financial Analysis, we asked the members of our three global FP&A Advisory Councils to share their favorite financial analyses.
05/07/2024
4 Steps to Influence Your Organization
If you want to gain influence and create change in your organization, you’re going to have to get REAL: resonate, educate, activate and liberate.
If you want to gain influence and create change in your organization, you’re going to have to get REAL: resonate, educate, activate and liberate.
05/01/2024
4 Tips for High-Impact Budgeting and Forecasting
High-impact finance functions have sound accounting architecture, implement proven finance processes and methodologies, and provide people with the appropriate tools to succeed.
High-impact finance functions have sound accounting architecture, implement proven finance processes and methodologies, and provide people with the appropriate tools to succeed.
04/30/2024
Generative AI in Finance: 2 Big Questions, Answered
The race is on to understand how and when to apply generative AI, such as large language models (LLMs) and embedded copilots, in finance.
The race is on to understand how and when to apply generative AI, such as large language models (LLMs) and embedded copilots, in finance.
04/29/2024
4 Questions About Embracing AI in Finance, Answered
As finance directs more of its attention to artificial intelligence, many professionals face big questions about how to get started — and how to capitalize on the steps they have already taken.
As finance directs more of its attention to artificial intelligence, many professionals face big questions about how to get started — and how to capitalize on the steps they have already taken.
04/29/2024
5 Insights on AI-Powered FP&A
The speed at which advances in technology and automation are accelerating is unprecedented. While FP&A professionals have a strong desire to get ahead of the wave, the big question goes largely unanswered: Where do I start?
The speed at which advances in technology and automation are accelerating is unprecedented. While FP&A professionals have a strong desire to get ahead of the wave, the big question goes largely unanswered: Where do I start?
04/29/2024
Cash Flow Forecasting in a Global Media Company
The necessity for a centralized treasury, and subsequent centralized cash flow forecasting, at a prominent global media company operating across more than 150 countries had become critical. With its central treasury team based in the U.K., each of the 150 countries from which the company operates managed its own cash flow forecasting, leading to significant issues starting with funding and market liquidity risks and ending with financial market risk.
The necessity for a centralized treasury, and subsequent centralized cash flow forecasting, at a prominent global media company operating across more than 150 countries had become critical. With its central treasury team based in the U.K., each of the 150 countries from which the company operates managed its own cash flow forecasting, leading to significant issues starting with funding and market liquidity risks and ending with financial market risk.
04/26/2024
AFP Partners with ACBSP to Equip Students with In-Demand Skills for Finance Careers
AFP has partnered with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) to further the reach of AFP’s University Partners Program (UPP).
AFP has partnered with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) to further the reach of AFP’s University Partners Program (UPP).
04/24/2024
4 Ways to Reduce Payments Fraud
A significant increase in fraud activity occurred in 2023 compared to the previous year, with a staggering 80% of organizations reporting being targeted by attempted or actual fraud attacks, according to results from the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by Truist. This statistic underscores the persistent and evolving nature of fraudsters, who remain relentless in their efforts to infiltrate payment systems.
A significant increase in fraud activity occurred in 2023 compared to the previous year, with a staggering 80% of organizations reporting being targeted by attempted or actual fraud attacks, according to results from the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by Truist. This statistic underscores the persistent and evolving nature of fraudsters, who remain relentless in their efforts to infiltrate payment systems.
04/23/2024
AFP Survey Finds 80% of Organizations Experienced Payments Fraud in 2023
Eighty percent of respondents report that their organizations were victims of attempted or actual payments fraud activity in 2023, according to the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by Truist.
Eighty percent of respondents report that their organizations were victims of attempted or actual payments fraud activity in 2023, according to the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, underwritten by Truist.
04/16/2024
See what’s in store at the treasury and finance conference, AFP 2024, October 20-23, in Nashville. Check out the Session Explorer here.