Articles
Under the Spotlight: Establishing Treasury KPIs
Treasury should not only be measured by looking at P&L statements or balance sheet figures. The best way to measure treasury’s day-to-day activities is by using key performance indicators (KPIs).
Treasury should not only be measured by looking at P&L statements or balance sheet figures. The best way to measure treasury’s day-to-day activities is by using key performance indicators (KPIs).
07/29/2016
FP&A… and C: Why Communication is Crucial for Finance
As the role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) expands, and the importance of soft skills rises, there should be some official recognition that technical skills only go so far. If executives cannot tell their story and influence decisions, they are not doing their jobs.
As the role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) expands, and the importance of soft skills rises, there should be some official recognition that technical skills only go so far. If executives cannot tell their story and influence decisions, they are not doing their jobs.
07/26/2016
Data Visualization: A Discussion with David McCandless
AFP recently spoke with data journalist David McCandless, who will speak about data visualization at its Annual Conference in October, from his home in London.
AFP recently spoke with data journalist David McCandless, who will speak about data visualization at its Annual Conference in October, from his home in London.
07/25/2016
Zero-Based Budgeting: Don’t Take the Big-Bang Approach
Zero-based budgeting is making a comeback, and it doesn't require a big-bang implementation. Many companies are getting great results by doing the exact opposite.
Zero-based budgeting is making a comeback, and it doesn't require a big-bang implementation. Many companies are getting great results by doing the exact opposite.
07/22/2016
Same-Day ACH Warning: Check Your EEDs to Avoid Surprise Fees
Large ACH originators could be hit with unintended fees once same-day ACH starts September 23.
Large ACH originators could be hit with unintended fees once same-day ACH starts September 23.
07/21/2016
FP&A for Nonprofits: Making Investment Decisions
FP&A plays a crucial role in investment decision-making for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, guiding smart investments and cost-cutting measures.
FP&A plays a crucial role in investment decision-making for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, guiding smart investments and cost-cutting measures.
07/20/2016
Treasury’s Expertise: Mandatory for an IPO
In 2015, data flash storage company Pure Storage went public. The finance team realized it needed the expertise that comes with a treasury function.
In 2015, data flash storage company Pure Storage went public. The finance team realized it needed the expertise that comes with a treasury function.
07/18/2016
CTP Exam Tips: Danger in the Decimals
Simply put, too many decimals can yield the wrong answer on the CTP exam.
Simply put, too many decimals can yield the wrong answer on the CTP exam.
07/18/2016
FP&A Roundtable: 6 Key Skills Practitioners Must Possess
During an AFP roundtable in Boston sponsored by Peloton, attendees discussed the skills FP&A practitioners need to have in order to become strategic partners to the business.
During an AFP roundtable in Boston sponsored by Peloton, attendees discussed the skills FP&A practitioners need to have in order to become strategic partners to the business.
07/15/2016
Ex-Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman on Being a Trusted Advisor
AFP recently interviewed Ret. Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff he was the senior officer in the Armed Forces and the military advisor to the secretary of defense and to the President.
AFP recently interviewed Ret. Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff he was the senior officer in the Armed Forces and the military advisor to the secretary of defense and to the President.
07/14/2016
The Finance Team of the Future: 4 Management Challenges
Learn about the management and attraction of millennial finance professionals and the importance of senior finance executives adapting to their needs and working styles.
Learn about the management and attraction of millennial finance professionals and the importance of senior finance executives adapting to their needs and working styles.
07/08/2016
Six Principles for Running a Successful Treasury Group
Discover fundamental principles for running a successful treasury department, both internally and externally, to enhance its impact on the organization.
Discover fundamental principles for running a successful treasury department, both internally and externally, to enhance its impact on the organization.
07/06/2016
Brexit: 3 Treasury & Finance Executives Discuss the Fallout
With Brexit continuing to wreak havoc on the markets, AFP spoke with three treasury and finance executives to see how they are handling the fallout.
With Brexit continuing to wreak havoc on the markets, AFP spoke with three treasury and finance executives to see how they are handling the fallout.
06/28/2016
10 Benefits of Driver-Based Modeling
Facing greater market volatility, a fast-changing business environment, and a constant push from senior management to improve the planning process, more FP&A teams are incorporating driver-based modeling into their forecasting methodology.
Facing greater market volatility, a fast-changing business environment, and a constant push from senior management to improve the planning process, more FP&A teams are incorporating driver-based modeling into their forecasting methodology.
06/28/2016
5 Ways to Break Down Operational and Strategic Silos
Discover five practices to break down operational and strategic silos and improve coordination and decision-making in organizations.
Discover five practices to break down operational and strategic silos and improve coordination and decision-making in organizations.
06/27/2016
FP&A: 6 Tips for Identifying the Right Talent
How can CFOs and senior FP&A executives make sure they hire the right talent, and thus better align the FP&A team with the organization’s strategic objectives?
How can CFOs and senior FP&A executives make sure they hire the right talent, and thus better align the FP&A team with the organization’s strategic objectives?
06/20/2016
Armored Cars: 3 Key Problems Retail Treasurers Face
At the 2016 AFP Retail Roundtable, retail treasurers voiced their frustrations with their armored carriers.
At the 2016 AFP Retail Roundtable, retail treasurers voiced their frustrations with their armored carriers.
06/17/2016
Remittance Coalition: ISO 20022, B2B Directory Are Coming
Members of AFP’s Treasury Advisory Group received an update from the Remittance Coalition on two key areas it has been focusing on—ISO 20022 implementation and the B2B Directory.
Members of AFP’s Treasury Advisory Group received an update from the Remittance Coalition on two key areas it has been focusing on—ISO 20022 implementation and the B2B Directory.
06/16/2016
Treasurers Brainstorm Solutions to 385 Regs
Corporate treasury professionals are stressed over the proposed 385 regulations. But could the Treasury Department make an exception for cash pooling?
Corporate treasury professionals are stressed over the proposed 385 regulations. But could the Treasury Department make an exception for cash pooling?
06/15/2016
FP&A Insights: Building an Analytics 'Hub'
Understand the role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) as an analytical engine driving better decision-making throughout the enterprise.
Understand the role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) as an analytical engine driving better decision-making throughout the enterprise.
06/10/2016
BEC Scams: What to Do if You Fall Victim
Treasury and finance professionals are seeing an increasing amount of business email compromise (BEC) scams. What can they do after their organization has fallen victim?
Treasury and finance professionals are seeing an increasing amount of business email compromise (BEC) scams. What can they do after their organization has fallen victim?
06/09/2016
FP&A Exam Tips: Understanding the Time Commitment
Students, new and old, who wish to sit for the FP&A exam should understand the significant time commitment required to obtain the certification.
Students, new and old, who wish to sit for the FP&A exam should understand the significant time commitment required to obtain the certification.
06/08/2016
8 Ways FP&A Can Combat Competitive Threats
As FP&A becomes the analytics hub of the organization, it must be able to anticipate how competitive disruption may affect financial results and prepare an action plan.
As FP&A becomes the analytics hub of the organization, it must be able to anticipate how competitive disruption may affect financial results and prepare an action plan.
06/06/2016
Treasurers, Just How Secure is Your SWIFT Connection?
Understand the security concerns surrounding SWIFT connections for corporate treasurers, particularly in light of recent data breaches affecting banks in the network.
Understand the security concerns surrounding SWIFT connections for corporate treasurers, particularly in light of recent data breaches affecting banks in the network.
06/01/2016
Proposed 385 Tax Regs: 5 Ways Treasurers Should Prepare Now
Melissa Cameron and Steve Blore of Deloitte list five steps treasury and finance can take to prepare for the new 385 tax regulations.
Melissa Cameron and Steve Blore of Deloitte list five steps treasury and finance can take to prepare for the new 385 tax regulations.
05/27/2016
Zero-Based Budgeting Makes a Comeback
Get updates on SWIFT hacking incidents discussed by treasury executives and payments experts at the CTC Corporate Treasurers Forum, emphasizing the need for security measures.
Get updates on SWIFT hacking incidents discussed by treasury executives and payments experts at the CTC Corporate Treasurers Forum, emphasizing the need for security measures.
05/27/2016
7 Ways Treasurers Can Engage More Effectively with the Board
Brocade Communications executives share best practices for treasury professionals to effectively engage with the board of directors.
Brocade Communications executives share best practices for treasury professionals to effectively engage with the board of directors.
05/25/2016
8 Traits That Define the Best Digital Banking Platforms
Greenwich Associates has identified eight characteristics, based on our research, that define the best of breed digital-banking platforms and tracked the industry’s progress in developing and delivering on these offerings.
Greenwich Associates has identified eight characteristics, based on our research, that define the best of breed digital-banking platforms and tracked the industry’s progress in developing and delivering on these offerings.
05/25/2016
FP&A Exam Tips: Mastering the Financial Calculations
FP&A professionals with limited financial background face challenges in the financial calculations section of the FP&A exam, and this article offers guidance on organizing studying for this portion.
FP&A professionals with limited financial background face challenges in the financial calculations section of the FP&A exam, and this article offers guidance on organizing studying for this portion.
05/18/2016
A Treasurer’s Worst Nightmare: Inside the BP Oil Spill
The BP oil spill had severe liquidity implications as the commercial paper market became inaccessible for BP America.
The BP oil spill had severe liquidity implications as the commercial paper market became inaccessible for BP America.
05/13/2016
CTP Exam Tips: Putting a Study Schedule Together
Get practical tips for organizing and creating a study schedule when preparing for the CTP exam, reducing overwhelm and increasing study effectiveness.
Get practical tips for organizing and creating a study schedule when preparing for the CTP exam, reducing overwhelm and increasing study effectiveness.
05/11/2016
Big Challenge: Running FP&A at a Private Equity-Owned Firm
FP&A faces unique challenges when operating in a private equity-owned firm due to differences in management culture and structure.
FP&A faces unique challenges when operating in a private equity-owned firm due to differences in management culture and structure.
05/10/2016
Four Keys to a Successful Supply Chain Finance Program
More companies are exploring the benefits of setting up a supply chain finance program. But to benefit fully from such a program, it is important to avoid four pitfalls.
More companies are exploring the benefits of setting up a supply chain finance program. But to benefit fully from such a program, it is important to avoid four pitfalls.
05/04/2016
CTP Exam Tips: The Tools to Pass
Learn the steps to fully prepare for the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) Exam and ensure success in your exam preparation.
Learn the steps to fully prepare for the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) Exam and ensure success in your exam preparation.
04/28/2016
Video: Gilead Sciences on the Challenges of Rapid Growth
In the latest video from AFP's latest In-Depth series, Peter Shen, CFA, assistant treasurer of Gilead Sciences, discusses the challenges of leading a rapidly growing organization.
In the latest video from AFP's latest In-Depth series, Peter Shen, CFA, assistant treasurer of Gilead Sciences, discusses the challenges of leading a rapidly growing organization.
04/27/2016
Earnings Credit Rate: Predicting the Cloudy Future of ECR
Due to the combination of Regulation Q’s repeal in 2010 and Fed rates finally moving higher, the future of the earnings credit rate is up in the air.
Due to the combination of Regulation Q’s repeal in 2010 and Fed rates finally moving higher, the future of the earnings credit rate is up in the air.
04/25/2016
Hackers Hit SWIFT Software: How Treasurers Should Respond
Learn how treasurers should respond to cybersecurity threats following cybercriminals compromising SWIFT software used by a Bangladesh bank, as reported by BAE Systems.
Learn how treasurers should respond to cybersecurity threats following cybercriminals compromising SWIFT software used by a Bangladesh bank, as reported by BAE Systems.
04/25/2016
FBAR: 5 Critical Filing Tips for Treasury Professionals
During a session Monday at the TEXPO 2016 finance and treasury management conference, experts provided five key tips for treasury professionals filing an FBAR.
During a session Monday at the TEXPO 2016 finance and treasury management conference, experts provided five key tips for treasury professionals filing an FBAR.
04/19/2016
CTP Exam Tips: 5 Keys for Aspiring CTPs
If you’re studying to be a Certified Treasury Professional, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. Here are five tips to remember.
If you’re studying to be a Certified Treasury Professional, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. Here are five tips to remember.
04/15/2016
Finance Leaders Need to Embrace Creativity. And Fast!
Finance leaders must embrace creativity to compete and thrive in today's economy.
Finance leaders must embrace creativity to compete and thrive in today's economy.
04/13/2016
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.