Articles
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
5 Tips for Creating an Effective Financial Presentation
In the dynamic world of finance, the ability to craft compelling presentations is essential. When a presentation is effective, it serves as a bridge, simplifying complex financial concepts into digestible information that fosters clarity and understanding among diverse audiences.
In the dynamic world of finance, the ability to craft compelling presentations is essential. When a presentation is effective, it serves as a bridge, simplifying complex financial concepts into digestible information that fosters clarity and understanding among diverse audiences.
04/11/2024
Choosing the Right KPIs for Your Organization
Selecting the right KPIs involves careful consideration of your objectives, identification of key metrics, and ensuring relevance to industry and organizational priorities. Keeping the KPI selection process simple yet targeted, with a focus on a few meaningful metrics, allows for the clear measurement of success and progress.
Selecting the right KPIs involves careful consideration of your objectives, identification of key metrics, and ensuring relevance to industry and organizational priorities. Keeping the KPI selection process simple yet targeted, with a focus on a few meaningful metrics, allows for the clear measurement of success and progress.
04/08/2024
What Is a Treasury Management System?
A treasury management system (TMS) is an enterprise-wide solution that can oversee a range of financial activities at a global scale, including global liquidity management, FX transactions, financial risk mitigation, derivatives and bank account access.
A treasury management system (TMS) is an enterprise-wide solution that can oversee a range of financial activities at a global scale, including global liquidity management, FX transactions, financial risk mitigation, derivatives and bank account access.
04/03/2024
Ways FP&A Leaders Manage the Costs of AI in Finance
The costs associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can be numerous. When done well, AI can give you a competitive advantage in the marketplace. But how do you manage the costs of AI to ensure the benefits outweigh the costs?
The costs associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can be numerous. When done well, AI can give you a competitive advantage in the marketplace. But how do you manage the costs of AI to ensure the benefits outweigh the costs?
04/02/2024
Digital Finance Roadmap
How should you create a roadmap for your digital finance initiative? The roadmap you create will depend on the scope and vision of your project.
How should you create a roadmap for your digital finance initiative? The roadmap you create will depend on the scope and vision of your project.
04/02/2024
Improve Your Meetings by Asking These 2 Questions
We need to improve our meetings for productivity, speed and innovation. If your team is struggling to make meetings efficient and effective, ask these two questions: What is the purpose of the meeting, and who really needs to be involved?
We need to improve our meetings for productivity, speed and innovation. If your team is struggling to make meetings efficient and effective, ask these two questions: What is the purpose of the meeting, and who really needs to be involved?
04/01/2024
4 Tips for a Successful Treasury Transformation
Managing a treasury transformation project across multiple jurisdictions is complex because of the major differences in the financial environment and the regulatory landscape between the different countries.
Managing a treasury transformation project across multiple jurisdictions is complex because of the major differences in the financial environment and the regulatory landscape between the different countries.
03/25/2024
Developing Talent to Achieve Treasury Transformation
While treasury transformation projects are usually designed to improve operational efficiency, with a heavy reliance on technology to achieve the objectives, it is critical to manage and develop the treasury team.
While treasury transformation projects are usually designed to improve operational efficiency, with a heavy reliance on technology to achieve the objectives, it is critical to manage and develop the treasury team.
03/25/2024
How Important Is Technology to a Successful Treasury Transformation?
Effective use of technology is central to the success of most treasury transformations. Technology is often seen as the solution to treasury’s core problems, whether that is calculating positions and exposures or making payments and executing decisions.
Effective use of technology is central to the success of most treasury transformations. Technology is often seen as the solution to treasury’s core problems, whether that is calculating positions and exposures or making payments and executing decisions.
03/25/2024
Why Transform Treasury?
In a dynamic world, treasurers are under constant pressure to operate as efficiently as possible as they try to support their organizations’ business strategies. From time to time, there is an opportunity to effect change within the treasury department to enhance operational efficiency. This change can take many forms.
In a dynamic world, treasurers are under constant pressure to operate as efficiently as possible as they try to support their organizations’ business strategies. From time to time, there is an opportunity to effect change within the treasury department to enhance operational efficiency. This change can take many forms.
03/25/2024
Understanding Foreign Exchange Risk
Foreign exchange risk is the possibility that fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies will lead to financial loss. More commonly known as FX risk, foreign exchange risk is an important part of global treasury management.
Foreign exchange risk is the possibility that fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies will lead to financial loss. More commonly known as FX risk, foreign exchange risk is an important part of global treasury management.
03/25/2024
Net Present Value vs. Internal Rate of Return
Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) are two fundamental tools used in finance to assess and compare investment opportunities to make business decisions. Often, it is helpful to use both measures at the same time.
Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) are two fundamental tools used in finance to assess and compare investment opportunities to make business decisions. Often, it is helpful to use both measures at the same time.
03/19/2024
Connect with your FP&A peers and industry leaders in Austin March 17-19 at the AFP FP&A Forum. Register by January 15 to save $400.