Articles
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
Treasury Transformation and Smart Safe Innovation Leads to Scalable Solutions
With the implementation of its smart safe and store treasury initiative, the treasury team at Casey’s General Stores was able to quickly resolve a myriad of issues, leading to significant increases in efficiency and cost savings.
With the implementation of its smart safe and store treasury initiative, the treasury team at Casey’s General Stores was able to quickly resolve a myriad of issues, leading to significant increases in efficiency and cost savings.
03/07/2024
Creating Alignment and Transparency Through a Driver-Based Model
A Vice President of FP&A was tasked with coming up with a budgeting system that worked for everyone. By prioritizing alignment and transparency, actively seeking collaboration, and developing trainings that effectively communicated with non-finance staff, the company successfully created a robust system prepared to meet the demands of any current or future scenario.
A Vice President of FP&A was tasked with coming up with a budgeting system that worked for everyone. By prioritizing alignment and transparency, actively seeking collaboration, and developing trainings that effectively communicated with non-finance staff, the company successfully created a robust system prepared to meet the demands of any current or future scenario.
03/05/2024
The FP&A Role in Driver-Based Modeling
An FP&A team turned to driver-based modeling to align finance, strategy, culture and operations. When the owners of certain drivers understood the impact of certain events or occurrences on the company, they would be in a better position to create positive change — to accurately steer their financial strategies.
An FP&A team turned to driver-based modeling to align finance, strategy, culture and operations. When the owners of certain drivers understood the impact of certain events or occurrences on the company, they would be in a better position to create positive change — to accurately steer their financial strategies.
03/05/2024
5 Warning Signs Your Technology Expenses Are Too High
AIQ recently compiled data from more than a decade of procurement consultations and found that enterprises are paying technology prices that are, on average, 79% higher than what market conditions warrant.
AIQ recently compiled data from more than a decade of procurement consultations and found that enterprises are paying technology prices that are, on average, 79% higher than what market conditions warrant.
03/01/2024
Is Now the Time to Concentrate Cash Across Borders?
Treasurers across all types of companies are reviewing their approach to liquidity management with a view to using internal cash more efficiently. These reviews are being driven by four factors.
Treasurers across all types of companies are reviewing their approach to liquidity management with a view to using internal cash more efficiently. These reviews are being driven by four factors.
03/01/2024
AFP Survey Finds Increased Support for FP&A Professional Development
Companies are providing increased levels of support for FP&A professional development. Overall, respondents of the 2024 AFP FP&A Benchmarking Survey, underwritten by Workday, rate their satisfaction with company-offered professional development opportunities a 3.5 on a 1-to-5 scale.
Companies are providing increased levels of support for FP&A professional development. Overall, respondents of the 2024 AFP FP&A Benchmarking Survey, underwritten by Workday, rate their satisfaction with company-offered professional development opportunities a 3.5 on a 1-to-5 scale.
02/29/2024
FP&A Leaders Discuss the Role of AI in Finance Today
Members of AFP’s North America FP&A Advisory Council discussed their AI goals for 2024. Their goals spanned the spectrum, from those who are just starting to look into AI to those who have a multi-pronged plan for implementation.
Members of AFP’s North America FP&A Advisory Council discussed their AI goals for 2024. Their goals spanned the spectrum, from those who are just starting to look into AI to those who have a multi-pronged plan for implementation.
02/27/2024
The Global Resilience Federation on Evaluating Your Organization’s Resilience
The ORF offers a set of guidelines and tools designed to aid companies in recovering immutable data while also minimizing disruptions to services. What sets this framework apart is its focus on both data recovery and service continuity, providing a comprehensive approach to resilience.
The ORF offers a set of guidelines and tools designed to aid companies in recovering immutable data while also minimizing disruptions to services. What sets this framework apart is its focus on both data recovery and service continuity, providing a comprehensive approach to resilience.
02/23/2024
Understanding Types of Payment Methods
When choosing a payment method, treasury professionals must prioritize three essential factors: the transaction amount, the recipient's destination and the timing of the payment. The objective is to ensure the precise and secure delivery of funds while maintaining alignment with the organization's financial goals and operational needs.
When choosing a payment method, treasury professionals must prioritize three essential factors: the transaction amount, the recipient's destination and the timing of the payment. The objective is to ensure the precise and secure delivery of funds while maintaining alignment with the organization's financial goals and operational needs.
02/22/2024
Challenges with Concentrating Cash Across Borders
Companies operating in more than one country often want to manage their cash in a similar manner. Pooling solutions, both physical and notional, are available that make it possible for multinationals to concentrate cash regionally and globally. Yet, there are still multiple hurdles facing multinational corporations that want to concentrate all their cash on a regional or a global basis.
Companies operating in more than one country often want to manage their cash in a similar manner. Pooling solutions, both physical and notional, are available that make it possible for multinationals to concentrate cash regionally and globally. Yet, there are still multiple hurdles facing multinational corporations that want to concentrate all their cash on a regional or a global basis.
02/21/2024
5 Common Types of Financial Charts for Data Storytelling
Financial charts help you tell the story that the data conveys, ensuring everyone in your audience understands the meaning behind the data. With the variety of charts that are out there, how do you choose the most appropriate chart? We’ve compiled a list of some of the most commonly used charts in finance.
Financial charts help you tell the story that the data conveys, ensuring everyone in your audience understands the meaning behind the data. With the variety of charts that are out there, how do you choose the most appropriate chart? We’ve compiled a list of some of the most commonly used charts in finance.
02/15/2024
AFP Partners with IACBE to Help Students Cultivate Essential Skills for Finance Careers
AFP has teamed up with the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) to further the reach of AFP’s University Partners Program (UPP). The IACBE is a leading outcomes-based professional accreditation agency for business and management education in colleges and universities whose primary purpose is excellence in teaching and learning.
AFP has teamed up with the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) to further the reach of AFP’s University Partners Program (UPP). The IACBE is a leading outcomes-based professional accreditation agency for business and management education in colleges and universities whose primary purpose is excellence in teaching and learning.
02/13/2024
Mastering Financial Agility: AFP's MEA Treasury Council Discusses Working Capital Amid Economic Adversity
Implementing effective working capital optimization techniques can alleviate immediate liquidity pressures and help ensure that companies who excel in the practice are better positioned to shift their focus towards long-term growth.
Implementing effective working capital optimization techniques can alleviate immediate liquidity pressures and help ensure that companies who excel in the practice are better positioned to shift their focus towards long-term growth.
02/09/2024
AFP Survey Finds FP&A Practitioners Are Techno-Optimists
Overall, FP&A practitioners view technology, data management and digital transformation as areas of opportunity and professional development, and they would eagerly apply added time and resources to those areas if they could.
Overall, FP&A practitioners view technology, data management and digital transformation as areas of opportunity and professional development, and they would eagerly apply added time and resources to those areas if they could.
02/07/2024
How to Conduct a Successful RFP for a Financial Service Provider
It's not always easy to figure out which FSP is the best fit for your organization. The decision to engage a specific FSP for one service or product can have ripple effects on how you manage your relationship with them. Whether an organization opts for a formal selection process depends on its procurement policy. One common selection method is the request for proposal (RFP) process.
It's not always easy to figure out which FSP is the best fit for your organization. The decision to engage a specific FSP for one service or product can have ripple effects on how you manage your relationship with them. Whether an organization opts for a formal selection process depends on its procurement policy. One common selection method is the request for proposal (RFP) process.
02/06/2024
Transforming FP&A Management Reporting & Planning
Flying in the face of 150 years of tradition, the CEO of a professional services company unveiled a strategic initiative aimed at fostering greater cohesion among the various operating companies, which had all been operating independently.
Flying in the face of 150 years of tradition, the CEO of a professional services company unveiled a strategic initiative aimed at fostering greater cohesion among the various operating companies, which had all been operating independently.
01/25/2024
Are Certified Professionals More Likely to Get Hired?
For decades now, we have been taught that the credentials that make for a standout job candidate or the best candidate for promotion are held almost exclusively in the hands of traditional education, i.e., a bachelor’s degree typically followed by a master’s degree. What if we told you that all evidence points to the fact that this is no longer the case? And what if we also told you that when it comes to getting ahead, professional certification is the key?
For decades now, we have been taught that the credentials that make for a standout job candidate or the best candidate for promotion are held almost exclusively in the hands of traditional education, i.e., a bachelor’s degree typically followed by a master’s degree. What if we told you that all evidence points to the fact that this is no longer the case? And what if we also told you that when it comes to getting ahead, professional certification is the key?
01/24/2024
Headcount Drivers to Manage Cash for Venture-Backed Companies
Cash is limited for startups, but with a dedicated FP&A function, companies can extend the runway, ensuring efficient operations and growth. Managing growth is hard; FP&A helps startups design their future and connect hiring milestones.
Cash is limited for startups, but with a dedicated FP&A function, companies can extend the runway, ensuring efficient operations and growth. Managing growth is hard; FP&A helps startups design their future and connect hiring milestones.
01/24/2024
A Career in FP&A vs Accounting
Moving into FP&A also requires a big shift in mindset. You will be going from reporting what happened to why it happened — and what’s likely to happen going forward. You will need to become future-looking, comfortable with ambiguity, and a creative, big-picture thinker.
Moving into FP&A also requires a big shift in mindset. You will be going from reporting what happened to why it happened — and what’s likely to happen going forward. You will need to become future-looking, comfortable with ambiguity, and a creative, big-picture thinker.
01/24/2024
North America FP&A Advisory Council Set to Drive Profession Forward
The AFP Financial Planning and Analysis Advisory Council (FPAAC) is instrumental in helping AFP deliver insightful, relevant and timely content to the membership and community. Using its three main functions of communication, thought leadership, and promotion and advocacy, over the past year, FPAAC contributed to many achievements in 2023.
The AFP Financial Planning and Analysis Advisory Council (FPAAC) is instrumental in helping AFP deliver insightful, relevant and timely content to the membership and community. Using its three main functions of communication, thought leadership, and promotion and advocacy, over the past year, FPAAC contributed to many achievements in 2023.
01/22/2024
What Treasury Professionals Need to Know About U.S. Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting
Since January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) clock has begun for compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Rule.
Since January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) clock has begun for compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Rule.
01/15/2024
2023 in Review
Discover which topics were the most popular among treasury and finance professionals in 2023. We’ve compiled a list of the top research and guides, articles, training and podcasts, as well as conversations on AFP Collaborate with the most activity.
Discover which topics were the most popular among treasury and finance professionals in 2023. We’ve compiled a list of the top research and guides, articles, training and podcasts, as well as conversations on AFP Collaborate with the most activity.
12/22/2023
How to Succeed in Your New Finance Job
With every new job comes a set of unspoken rules you won’t find in the onboarding guide. Whether this is your first job out of college or you’re joining a new company, following the five tips below will help you to succeed in your new job.
With every new job comes a set of unspoken rules you won’t find in the onboarding guide. Whether this is your first job out of college or you’re joining a new company, following the five tips below will help you to succeed in your new job.
12/21/2023
Land a Job in Finance with These 5 Tips
The demand for finance professionals is high. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to make a career change, now is a great time to work in finance. Here are five tips to help you land a job in finance.
The demand for finance professionals is high. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to make a career change, now is a great time to work in finance. Here are five tips to help you land a job in finance.
12/21/2023
What Finance Professionals Learned in 2023
In finance, we are often asked “the three what’s” — what happened, what does it mean and what do we do next? For us personally, let’s take time to think about the past year, reflect on our own ideas as well as those of our peers, and plan how to best spend our energies in the year ahead.
In finance, we are often asked “the three what’s” — what happened, what does it mean and what do we do next? For us personally, let’s take time to think about the past year, reflect on our own ideas as well as those of our peers, and plan how to best spend our energies in the year ahead.
12/19/2023
How to Set Goals for 2024
The start of a new year is synonymous with goal setting. We spend the year-end reflecting on what we accomplished, what didn’t work out, and how we want the new year to be different, and then we set goals accordingly.
The start of a new year is synonymous with goal setting. We spend the year-end reflecting on what we accomplished, what didn’t work out, and how we want the new year to be different, and then we set goals accordingly.
12/19/2023
Finance Professionals Share Their Goals for 2024
Do you wonder about the goals your finance peers set for themselves each year? What are their priorities? How are they thinking about their organization as we enter the new year?
Do you wonder about the goals your finance peers set for themselves each year? What are their priorities? How are they thinking about their organization as we enter the new year?
12/19/2023
7 Steps to an Effective Risk Management Process
A risk management process is the means by which an organization identifies, assesses and mitigates any threats or uncertainties that may negatively impact it.
A risk management process is the means by which an organization identifies, assesses and mitigates any threats or uncertainties that may negatively impact it.
12/18/2023
The DuPont System: Comprehensive Ratio Analysis
Every consumer wants to know if they're getting their money’s worth before spending or investing. For investors, the most common way to address this question is to ask, “How does the company create income (the return) relative to the investment of the shareholders (the equity)?”
Every consumer wants to know if they're getting their money’s worth before spending or investing. For investors, the most common way to address this question is to ask, “How does the company create income (the return) relative to the investment of the shareholders (the equity)?”
12/14/2023
Overcoming Roadblocks in Your Transition from Accounting to FP&A
Many valuable skills from the accounting field can significantly enhance FP&A. Many former accountants have risen to leadership roles within FP&A, demonstrating that the transition can be made and that accounting skills are valued in the FP&A world.
Many valuable skills from the accounting field can significantly enhance FP&A. Many former accountants have risen to leadership roles within FP&A, demonstrating that the transition can be made and that accounting skills are valued in the FP&A world.
12/12/2023
Fundamentals of Financial Statement Analysis
Financial statement analysis tells a story about your company’s choices. They could reveal how efficient and effective the company is at managing its assets and liabilities. Or they could help determine if the company is in a position to experience significant growth.
Financial statement analysis tells a story about your company’s choices. They could reveal how efficient and effective the company is at managing its assets and liabilities. Or they could help determine if the company is in a position to experience significant growth.
12/12/2023
AFP Survey Identifies Main Roadblocks to AI Implementation in Treasury and Finance
At AFP 2023, attendees were surveyed regarding their perspectives on AI, ranging from implementation to readiness to whether they felt AI would mean job loss or displacement. Here are the top three roadblocks they believe organizations have or will experience as a result of AI implementation.
At AFP 2023, attendees were surveyed regarding their perspectives on AI, ranging from implementation to readiness to whether they felt AI would mean job loss or displacement. Here are the top three roadblocks they believe organizations have or will experience as a result of AI implementation.
12/05/2023
APAC Treasury Advisory Council Profile: Nicholas Hardy
For Nicholas Hardy, his career in treasury started in a way familiar to many other treasury professionals: as an accountant. Hardy successfully completed the chartered accountancy qualification, then relatively early on in his career, he was offered the opportunity to move into corporate treasury.
For Nicholas Hardy, his career in treasury started in a way familiar to many other treasury professionals: as an accountant. Hardy successfully completed the chartered accountancy qualification, then relatively early on in his career, he was offered the opportunity to move into corporate treasury.
12/04/2023
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.