Articles
In Uncertain Times, Apply Generalist Advantages
AFP 2021 FP&A Keynote Speaker, Vikram Mansharamani, says that today’s challenges are more akin to mysteries rather than puzzles, and that a generalist approach can navigate uncertainty better than specialists.
AFP 2021 FP&A Keynote Speaker, Vikram Mansharamani, says that today’s challenges are more akin to mysteries rather than puzzles, and that a generalist approach can navigate uncertainty better than specialists.
11/30/2021
To Avoid Stagnation, FP&A Must Continuously Strive for Greater Self-development
This month we spoke with Johan Van Zyl, FPAC, senior vice president of Data and Process Automation and director of the Center of Excellence for Marsh & McLennan.
This month we spoke with Johan Van Zyl, FPAC, senior vice president of Data and Process Automation and director of the Center of Excellence for Marsh & McLennan.
11/29/2021
AFP 2021 Industry Roundtables Discuss Relevant Topics in Treasury
At AFP 2021, treasury and finance professionals took part in engaging industry roundtables that discussed challenges they are facing along with potential solutions. The industry roundtables, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, each focused on a different sector: banking, government, insurance, manufacturing, retail, utilities and health services.
At AFP 2021, treasury and finance professionals took part in engaging industry roundtables that discussed challenges they are facing along with potential solutions. The industry roundtables, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, each focused on a different sector: banking, government, insurance, manufacturing, retail, utilities and health services.
11/29/2021
Finance Professionals Can Use These 5 Steps to Become Superforecasters
Professor Philip Tetlock of the University of Pennsylvania led a team of Good Judgement forecasters in a government-sponsored forecasting competition, and handily beat the skilled analysts of the defense intelligence community who had access to classified data, university researchers, and various other teams. Oddly, Tetlocks forecasters were not savants, did not have deep technical expertise or experience in the fields of their forecast. What they did have, however, were various traits that helped them to eliminate biases and produce better results than most people in the crowd.
Professor Philip Tetlock of the University of Pennsylvania led a team of Good Judgement forecasters in a government-sponsored forecasting competition, and handily beat the skilled analysts of the defense intelligence community who had access to classified data, university researchers, and various other teams. Oddly, Tetlocks forecasters were not savants, did not have deep technical expertise or experience in the fields of their forecast. What they did have, however, were various traits that helped them to eliminate biases and produce better results than most people in the crowd.
11/22/2021
CTP: Taking the Next Step in Your Treasury Career
AFP recently caught up with Delvin Chen, CTP, treasury director at General Electric in Singapore, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
AFP recently caught up with Delvin Chen, CTP, treasury director at General Electric in Singapore, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
11/19/2021
Roadmap for FP&A Transformation
What do leading organizations do that's different from the rest? AFP took up this question in the FinNext Asia session entitled, “The Roadmap for FP&A Transformation.”
What do leading organizations do that's different from the rest? AFP took up this question in the FinNext Asia session entitled, “The Roadmap for FP&A Transformation.”
11/16/2021
ESG: The New Differentiator
Sustainable financing needs to be adopted by organizations all over the world. Even though numerous companies are working towards sustainable financing, there is still a long way to go. An AFP webinar, “ESG: The New Differentiator,” aimed to give attendees insights into the many innovations present to help them move towards sustainable financing.
Sustainable financing needs to be adopted by organizations all over the world. Even though numerous companies are working towards sustainable financing, there is still a long way to go. An AFP webinar, “ESG: The New Differentiator,” aimed to give attendees insights into the many innovations present to help them move towards sustainable financing.
11/15/2021
FPAC: Using Finance to Focus on Decision-Making Process
A global symbol of excellence, the FPAC designation establishes a set of core competencies for the corporate FP&A profession. AFP caught up with Adrien Hebert, FPAC, operations specialist at Appian in Australia, to discuss his decision to earn the FPAC, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
A global symbol of excellence, the FPAC designation establishes a set of core competencies for the corporate FP&A profession. AFP caught up with Adrien Hebert, FPAC, operations specialist at Appian in Australia, to discuss his decision to earn the FPAC, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
11/15/2021
Health Care Service Corporation Wins 2021 AFP Pinnacle Award Grand Prize
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) was awarded the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) 2021 Pinnacle Grand Prize for excellence in treasury and finance. The Pinnacle Grand Prize, sponsored by MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group NYSE: MUFG), was presented Sunday during AFP 2021 in Washington, DC.
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) was awarded the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) 2021 Pinnacle Grand Prize for excellence in treasury and finance. The Pinnacle Grand Prize, sponsored by MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group NYSE: MUFG), was presented Sunday during AFP 2021 in Washington, DC.
11/08/2021
CTP: Lifelong Learning to Remain Relevant
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP caught up with Anthony Ang, CTP, group treasury and insurance assistant manager at SATS Ltd., to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP caught up with Anthony Ang, CTP, group treasury and insurance assistant manager at SATS Ltd., to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
11/04/2021
Giving Back to the Community as a National Finance Volunteer
AFP and the American Red Cross are excited to announce a unique mentoring opportunity for finance and treasury community.
AFP and the American Red Cross are excited to announce a unique mentoring opportunity for finance and treasury community.
11/04/2021
A Day-in-the-Life: Claire Lu
Ever wondered what a full day consists of for an FP&A manager? What do they work on, and who are the key players they meet with? AFP’s Bryan Lapidus, FPAC, caught up with Claire Lu, FP&A manager at Hologic in Australia, to discuss a typical day in the life of an FP&A manager.
Ever wondered what a full day consists of for an FP&A manager? What do they work on, and who are the key players they meet with? AFP’s Bryan Lapidus, FPAC, caught up with Claire Lu, FP&A manager at Hologic in Australia, to discuss a typical day in the life of an FP&A manager.
10/29/2021
The Story of Money: An Interview with Author Sean Cover
While most people don’t think too deeply about money and how it works, from the way we spend our days working to earn it, to the way we acquire everything we own by spending it, money is the catalyst that drives the entire world.
While most people don’t think too deeply about money and how it works, from the way we spend our days working to earn it, to the way we acquire everything we own by spending it, money is the catalyst that drives the entire world.
10/25/2021
FPAC: Remaining Agile Through Constant Change
A global symbol of excellence, the FPAC designation establishes a set of core competencies for the corporate FP&A profession and addresses areas that are not necessarily covered by traditional accounting degrees. AFP caught up with Junn Nguyen, FPAC, senior financial analyst at Illumina in Singapore, to discuss his decision to earn the FPAC, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
A global symbol of excellence, the FPAC designation establishes a set of core competencies for the corporate FP&A profession and addresses areas that are not necessarily covered by traditional accounting degrees. AFP caught up with Junn Nguyen, FPAC, senior financial analyst at Illumina in Singapore, to discuss his decision to earn the FPAC, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
10/13/2021
Managing People Effectively is Top Priority for Practitioners as They Prepare for Next Crisis
One of many lessons that companies have learned throughout the coronavirus pandemic is the importance of the health and well-being of their people. Now, as organizations around the world emerge from the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, managing people effectively is key in withstanding future crises.
One of many lessons that companies have learned throughout the coronavirus pandemic is the importance of the health and well-being of their people. Now, as organizations around the world emerge from the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, managing people effectively is key in withstanding future crises.
10/05/2021
CTP Profile: Driving Success in the Treasury Function
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Pulat Yunusmetov, CTP, treasury manager at Danone, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Pulat Yunusmetov, CTP, treasury manager at Danone, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
10/04/2021
APAC FP&A Advisory Council Discusses Control vs. Value-focused Finance
What type of finance organization do you want to be? Moving from a control-focused to a value-focused finance function starts with a vision of what is possible. Last month, the APAC FP&A Advisory Council held a discussion around this topic and explained how their organizations function through both a control- and value-focused lens.
What type of finance organization do you want to be? Moving from a control-focused to a value-focused finance function starts with a vision of what is possible. Last month, the APAC FP&A Advisory Council held a discussion around this topic and explained how their organizations function through both a control- and value-focused lens.
10/04/2021
Five Scenario Modeling Methods for Better Forecasting
Finance’s response to unpredictability is to be prepared for everything by holding multiple points of view simultaneously. But how can you act on that and build into your finance toolkit?
Finance’s response to unpredictability is to be prepared for everything by holding multiple points of view simultaneously. But how can you act on that and build into your finance toolkit?
09/27/2021
2021 Executive Institute: Skills for the Modern-Day Leader
As companies continue to navigate through times of uncertainty, executives need to keep their skills sharp to lead at the best of their ability. That is why the AFP 2021 Executive Institute, sponsored by PNC Bank, is designed to help senior-level financial professionals find a renewed sense of purpose and learn brand-new ideas that might transform their organizations.
As companies continue to navigate through times of uncertainty, executives need to keep their skills sharp to lead at the best of their ability. That is why the AFP 2021 Executive Institute, sponsored by PNC Bank, is designed to help senior-level financial professionals find a renewed sense of purpose and learn brand-new ideas that might transform their organizations.
09/21/2021
Experts Weigh in on the Digital Transformation of Treasury: Part Three
The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the momentum toward a digital-first strategy as companies sought to stay competitive and relevant. But what exactly does that mean? In part three of a series of articles based on the discussion, we bring you the perspective and experience of Veikko Koski, CEO of FinanceKey.
The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the momentum toward a digital-first strategy as companies sought to stay competitive and relevant. But what exactly does that mean? In part three of a series of articles based on the discussion, we bring you the perspective and experience of Veikko Koski, CEO of FinanceKey.
09/20/2021
CTP: Lifelong Learning and Connections
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Shankar Ramaswamy, CTP, treasury business partner at a global travel firm in India, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Shankar Ramaswamy, CTP, treasury business partner at a global travel firm in India, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
09/15/2021
AFP Announces Global Partnership with Smart Train on CTP Exam Prep Courses
The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) and Smart Train have announced a formal partnership to offer exam preparation courses for finance professionals based in Vietnam. The courses will equip financial professionals with the tools they need to earn the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) certification.
The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) and Smart Train have announced a formal partnership to offer exam preparation courses for finance professionals based in Vietnam. The courses will equip financial professionals with the tools they need to earn the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) certification.
09/14/2021
Creating Value in the FP&A Function
Last year, AFP formed its APAC FP&A Advisory Council (FPAAC). Bryan Lapidus, FPAC, director of FP&A Practice at AFP, is profiling individual members of the council every month. This month, he spoke with Cecile Francais, head of FP&A at Cartier China.
Last year, AFP formed its APAC FP&A Advisory Council (FPAAC). Bryan Lapidus, FPAC, director of FP&A Practice at AFP, is profiling individual members of the council every month. This month, he spoke with Cecile Francais, head of FP&A at Cartier China.
09/14/2021
Pinnacle Finalists: Bechtel, HCSC and Micron
Bechtel, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) and Micron are finalists for the AFP 2021 Pinnacle Award. Sponsored by MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group NYSE: MUFG), the Pinnacle Award was established in 1997 to recognize excellence in treasury and finance. Finalists were selected by a jury of treasury and finance professional peers. Decisions were based on innovative solutions that progress the efficiency and effectiveness of their organization’s treasury and financial operations.
Bechtel, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) and Micron are finalists for the AFP 2021 Pinnacle Award. Sponsored by MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group NYSE: MUFG), the Pinnacle Award was established in 1997 to recognize excellence in treasury and finance. Finalists were selected by a jury of treasury and finance professional peers. Decisions were based on innovative solutions that progress the efficiency and effectiveness of their organization’s treasury and financial operations.
09/13/2021
The AFP FP&A Momentum Index: Results from Q3
The AFP Momentum Index survey was developed by members of the AFP FP&A Advisory Council, finance practitioners representing various industries and companies. It is administered by the Research Department of AFP, and the data is from a survey of independent FP&A practitioners. The Index has a single composite score based on three individual sub-scores that will be tracked over time.
The AFP Momentum Index survey was developed by members of the AFP FP&A Advisory Council, finance practitioners representing various industries and companies. It is administered by the Research Department of AFP, and the data is from a survey of independent FP&A practitioners. The Index has a single composite score based on three individual sub-scores that will be tracked over time.
09/09/2021
CTP: Achieving a Holistic View of Treasury
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Siddhant Jain, CTP, treasury analyst at Moody’s Corporation in India, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Siddhant Jain, CTP, treasury analyst at Moody’s Corporation in India, to discuss his decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected his life and career journey.
09/08/2021
Investing in Talent Development
In a recent episode of the AFP Conversations podcast, AFP President and CEO Jim Kaitz spoke with Dennis Carey, vice chairman of Korn Ferry. Kaitz and Carey discuss how, as companies focus on seizing new opportunities and adapting to the constantly changing environment, they must build on employees’ talent to remain competitive.
In a recent episode of the AFP Conversations podcast, AFP President and CEO Jim Kaitz spoke with Dennis Carey, vice chairman of Korn Ferry. Kaitz and Carey discuss how, as companies focus on seizing new opportunities and adapting to the constantly changing environment, they must build on employees’ talent to remain competitive.
08/30/2021
AFP and LeanUp Announce Collaboration to Support Treasury Professionals
AFP and LeanUp, LLC (LeanUp) have reached an agreement that will allow both organizations to more fully serve the needs of the corporate treasury profession. Through this alliance, new and renewing members of LeanUp communities will become members of AFP, and AFP members will be offered a substantial first-year discount to join LeanUp communities.
AFP and LeanUp, LLC (LeanUp) have reached an agreement that will allow both organizations to more fully serve the needs of the corporate treasury profession. Through this alliance, new and renewing members of LeanUp communities will become members of AFP, and AFP members will be offered a substantial first-year discount to join LeanUp communities.
08/26/2021
AFP Announces Global Partnership with NOESIS on CTP, FPAC Exam Prep Courses
AFP and NOESIS have announced a formal partnership to offer exam preparation courses for treasury and finance professionals based in Singapore and Malaysia. The courses will equip financial professionals with the tools they need to earn the CTP and the FPAC certifications.
AFP and NOESIS have announced a formal partnership to offer exam preparation courses for treasury and finance professionals based in Singapore and Malaysia. The courses will equip financial professionals with the tools they need to earn the CTP and the FPAC certifications.
08/25/2021
Enabling Digital Finance to Predict an Uncertain Future
“Digital finance is about a mindset and awareness of data and how we use it to make better business decisions.” At the AFP FinNext Asia session, “Enabling Digital Finance,” Lance Rubin, CEO of Model Citizn, and Giles Male, co-founder of Full Stack Modeller, presented a paradigm for harnessing your technology stack in service of finance goals.
“Digital finance is about a mindset and awareness of data and how we use it to make better business decisions.” At the AFP FinNext Asia session, “Enabling Digital Finance,” Lance Rubin, CEO of Model Citizn, and Giles Male, co-founder of Full Stack Modeller, presented a paradigm for harnessing your technology stack in service of finance goals.
08/24/2021
Experts Weigh in on the Digital Transformation of Treasury: Part Two
In part two of a series of articles based on AFP's “Digitalization or Transformation" webinar, we bring you the perspective and experience of Nitin Jain, head of Treasury and Capital Markets at Agrocorp International Pte Ltd.
In part two of a series of articles based on AFP's “Digitalization or Transformation" webinar, we bring you the perspective and experience of Nitin Jain, head of Treasury and Capital Markets at Agrocorp International Pte Ltd.
08/12/2021
Asked and Answered: Your Questions about Virtual Account Management
Are virtual accounts right for my business? How do virtual accounts work in X situation or Y environment? Tom Hunt, CTP, AFP director of Treasury Services, sat down with Rajiv Yadlapalli, head of North American Liquidity Product Solutions Specialists at J.P. Morgan, to get answers to these questions — and more — in a recent webinar.
Are virtual accounts right for my business? How do virtual accounts work in X situation or Y environment? Tom Hunt, CTP, AFP director of Treasury Services, sat down with Rajiv Yadlapalli, head of North American Liquidity Product Solutions Specialists at J.P. Morgan, to get answers to these questions — and more — in a recent webinar.
08/10/2021
A Curious Business Mind with Finance Talent
Last year, AFP announced the formation of its APAC FP&A Advisory Council (FPAAC). We’ll be profiling individual members of the council every month. This month we spoke with Kevin Wong, director of Finance, APAC at Blue Bottle Coffee.
Last year, AFP announced the formation of its APAC FP&A Advisory Council (FPAAC). We’ll be profiling individual members of the council every month. This month we spoke with Kevin Wong, director of Finance, APAC at Blue Bottle Coffee.
08/09/2021
Experts Weigh in on the Digital Transformation of Treasury
The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the momentum toward a digital-first strategy as companies look to stay competitive and relevant in the current environment. But what exactly does that mean?
The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the momentum toward a digital-first strategy as companies look to stay competitive and relevant in the current environment. But what exactly does that mean?
07/26/2021
Increasing strategic agility and growth through Enterprise Payment Optimization (EPO)
Cash flow is the lifeblood of every business and helps drive the decision-making processes of most companies. Without the timely receipt of cash, there can be a shortage of liquidity, a slowing growth or even the threat of insolvency. To accelerate the inflow of cash, companies have placed a great deal of emphasis on improving their cash collections’ processes. Inbound customer payments may be handled on a local, regional or even global level depending on a variety of factors including type of industry, geography, or a company’s operational setup.
Cash flow is the lifeblood of every business and helps drive the decision-making processes of most companies. Without the timely receipt of cash, there can be a shortage of liquidity, a slowing growth or even the threat of insolvency. To accelerate the inflow of cash, companies have placed a great deal of emphasis on improving their cash collections’ processes. Inbound customer payments may be handled on a local, regional or even global level depending on a variety of factors including type of industry, geography, or a company’s operational setup.
07/20/2021
The AFP Community Discusses Payments Fraud
AFP recently hosted a virtual roundtable to discuss how finance professionals are handling payments fraud. Moderated by AFP Director of Treasury Services Tom Hunt, CTP, participants shared what they’re seeing, how they’re handling it, and how the coronavirus pandemic changed things.
AFP recently hosted a virtual roundtable to discuss how finance professionals are handling payments fraud. Moderated by AFP Director of Treasury Services Tom Hunt, CTP, participants shared what they’re seeing, how they’re handling it, and how the coronavirus pandemic changed things.
07/13/2021
Scenario Planning for Turbulent Times
Unpredictability is not an exception to the planning process; it is inherent to the planning process itself. Scenario planning — the ideation and analysis of possible future outcomes — stretches the organizational mindset for the possibility of multiple future outcomes.
Unpredictability is not an exception to the planning process; it is inherent to the planning process itself. Scenario planning — the ideation and analysis of possible future outcomes — stretches the organizational mindset for the possibility of multiple future outcomes.
07/13/2021
Negotiating Loan Contracts with New Reference Rates
On top of the myriad important considerations that non-financial corporates have to take into consideration when negotiating with their banks on loans, management teams are now going through a once in a lifetime transition from primarily the LIBOR-based markets to alternative reference rates. While it can be challenging to understand the implications of agreeing to certain new rates, there are some core considerations that can help simplify the process.
On top of the myriad important considerations that non-financial corporates have to take into consideration when negotiating with their banks on loans, management teams are now going through a once in a lifetime transition from primarily the LIBOR-based markets to alternative reference rates. While it can be challenging to understand the implications of agreeing to certain new rates, there are some core considerations that can help simplify the process.
07/13/2021
CTP: Instilling Tenacity, Innovative Mindsets and Intellectual Curiosity in Treasury Professionals
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Lee-Ann Perkins, CTP, assistant treasurer at Specialized Bicycle Components, to discuss her decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected her life and career journey.
A global symbol of excellence, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation sets the standard in the treasury profession. AFP recently caught up with Lee-Ann Perkins, CTP, assistant treasurer at Specialized Bicycle Components, to discuss her decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected her life and career journey.
07/07/2021
Setting Up an Unclaimed Property Process
Unclaimed property is becoming a bigger problem for more companies. State authorities are becoming more active in chasing non-compliance, with the emergence of third-party audit firms that are paid on results. Given compliance is required, what is the best way to achieve it?
Unclaimed property is becoming a bigger problem for more companies. State authorities are becoming more active in chasing non-compliance, with the emergence of third-party audit firms that are paid on results. Given compliance is required, what is the best way to achieve it?
07/06/2021
