Articles
More Structured, More Efficient, More Accessible: Managing the Daily Life of an FP&A Professional
AFP recently sat down with Carmen Turner, member of the North American FP&A Advisory Council and has held finance positions at SwipeSense, McGraw Hill and the CME Group, to get her opinion on daily life in FP&A.
AFP recently sat down with Carmen Turner, member of the North American FP&A Advisory Council and has held finance positions at SwipeSense, McGraw Hill and the CME Group, to get her opinion on daily life in FP&A.
05/16/2022
Using Forecasts to Support Strategic Decision-Making
Treasury and FP&A both develop forecasts to inform decision-making. Forecasts are developed for: the short-term, to help treasury ensure the company has sufficient cash to meet upcoming obligations; the medium-term, to ensure access to sufficient credit lines; and the long-term, to help ensure the capital structure can support the delivery of the business strategy.
Treasury and FP&A both develop forecasts to inform decision-making. Forecasts are developed for: the short-term, to help treasury ensure the company has sufficient cash to meet upcoming obligations; the medium-term, to ensure access to sufficient credit lines; and the long-term, to help ensure the capital structure can support the delivery of the business strategy.
05/16/2022
FP&A Profile: The Pandemic Led to His Dream Job
Tharanga Gunasekara, FPAC, FP&A and financial performance analyst for AMP Capital Australia used his time during the pandemic to think clearly about how to best shape his career post-pandemic. And it paid off. He landed his dream job.
Tharanga Gunasekara, FPAC, FP&A and financial performance analyst for AMP Capital Australia used his time during the pandemic to think clearly about how to best shape his career post-pandemic. And it paid off. He landed his dream job.
05/16/2022
The War in Ukraine: American Companies Discuss the Impact and Their Responses
AFP recently met with a group of treasury professionals from the U.S. to discuss the war in Ukraine and how their organizations are responding to and dealing with the challenges stemming from the conflict.
AFP recently met with a group of treasury professionals from the U.S. to discuss the war in Ukraine and how their organizations are responding to and dealing with the challenges stemming from the conflict.
05/13/2022
AFP Announces Formation of Middle East and Africa Treasury Advisory Council
Seeking to better connect with and serve treasury professionals in the Middle East and Africa region, the Association for Finance Professionals (AFP) recently launched the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Treasury Advisory Council.
Seeking to better connect with and serve treasury professionals in the Middle East and Africa region, the Association for Finance Professionals (AFP) recently launched the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Treasury Advisory Council.
05/05/2022
A Better Way: Chick-fil-A Reimagines Their Data Culture
In the recent webinar, “Getting Your Data Right: How Architecture Facilitates Data Culture,” two members of Chick-fil-A’s (CFA) Financial Solutions Lab — Camille Felton, CTP, FPAC, Principal Team Leader and Matt Burton, Director within Financial Operations & Technology — shared valuable insights from their journey.
In the recent webinar, “Getting Your Data Right: How Architecture Facilitates Data Culture,” two members of Chick-fil-A’s (CFA) Financial Solutions Lab — Camille Felton, CTP, FPAC, Principal Team Leader and Matt Burton, Director within Financial Operations & Technology — shared valuable insights from their journey.
05/04/2022
Payments Fraud Not a Result of Remote Working
In the past two years, the pandemic changed a lot in terms of how we live, travel and, in many cases, the way we work. Globally, organizations mandated that employees work remotely, which required companies to alter many of their processes and procedures. One of the processes impacted was payments.
In the past two years, the pandemic changed a lot in terms of how we live, travel and, in many cases, the way we work. Globally, organizations mandated that employees work remotely, which required companies to alter many of their processes and procedures. One of the processes impacted was payments.
05/04/2022
10 Best Practices in Cash Forecasting
“Over a relatively short time, cash forecasting has shifted from a function of survival to the ability to be nimble and react to strategic opportunities.”
“Over a relatively short time, cash forecasting has shifted from a function of survival to the ability to be nimble and react to strategic opportunities.”
04/27/2022
AFP 2022 Session Highlights: FP&A
A running theme throughout the submissions this year appears to be one of structure. At this point, most organizations understand the value of FP&A and are at the very least trending toward partnership with their internal team.
A running theme throughout the submissions this year appears to be one of structure. At this point, most organizations understand the value of FP&A and are at the very least trending toward partnership with their internal team.
04/26/2022
Treasury and FP&A Forecast Better Together
Treasury and FP&A can develop more meaningful forecasts to support the development of business strategy. There are potential benefits from a collaborative approach in a number of areas.
Treasury and FP&A can develop more meaningful forecasts to support the development of business strategy. There are potential benefits from a collaborative approach in a number of areas.
04/26/2022
CTP: Embracing Change and Upskilling to Add Value
AFP recently caught up with Kerry Shattell, CTP, assistant vice president of Blackstone in Singapore, to discuss her decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected her life and career journey.
AFP recently caught up with Kerry Shattell, CTP, assistant vice president of Blackstone in Singapore, to discuss her decision to earn the CTP, and how it has affected her life and career journey.
04/22/2022
AFP 2022 Session Highlights: Risk, Capital Markets and Payments
The AFP 2022 Conference Planning Task Force recently met to review all educational session submissions and select the final session lineup for each of the six tracks. Because we’re too excited to wait until this fall to share the information with you, below are some highlights of the sessions that we are most interested in on the topics of risk, capital markets and payments.
The AFP 2022 Conference Planning Task Force recently met to review all educational session submissions and select the final session lineup for each of the six tracks. Because we’re too excited to wait until this fall to share the information with you, below are some highlights of the sessions that we are most interested in on the topics of risk, capital markets and payments.
04/19/2022
The True Cost of Payments Now
In 2015, AFP first conducted a survey to help members understand the true cost of their payments by payment type, based on internal and external costs. In 2022, the survey was conducted again, underwritten by Corpay, to see how things had changed, and with over 300 responses, we were able to get a holistic and true price picture of the cost of payments.
In 2015, AFP first conducted a survey to help members understand the true cost of their payments by payment type, based on internal and external costs. In 2022, the survey was conducted again, underwritten by Corpay, to see how things had changed, and with over 300 responses, we were able to get a holistic and true price picture of the cost of payments.
04/18/2022
CTP Profile: Learning the Importance of Treasury Knowledge
When Jun Jep Lee, CTP, business development executive for Triterras, got his start in corporate banking, he didn’t understand why it was so important to have knowledge of treasury. AFP sat down with Lee to discuss how that perspective altered quickly when he realized treasury's impact in every aspect of his day-to-day career.
When Jun Jep Lee, CTP, business development executive for Triterras, got his start in corporate banking, he didn’t understand why it was so important to have knowledge of treasury. AFP sat down with Lee to discuss how that perspective altered quickly when he realized treasury's impact in every aspect of his day-to-day career.
04/11/2022
FP&A is the Forefront of Transformation
AFP recently spoke with Connagh Hopkins, head of Business Planning and Reporting for Western Power, as part of our spotlight on members of our APAC FP&A Advisory Council (FPAAC). Hopkins shared with us her perspective on using 'finance' to describe her role and her thoughts on educating others to see past assumptions of the description.
AFP recently spoke with Connagh Hopkins, head of Business Planning and Reporting for Western Power, as part of our spotlight on members of our APAC FP&A Advisory Council (FPAAC). Hopkins shared with us her perspective on using 'finance' to describe her role and her thoughts on educating others to see past assumptions of the description.
04/11/2022
Let’s Talk Practice: 8 Ways Finance is (Or Should Be) Different
We all know the stressors and challenges in our professional finance lives. The AFP's North American Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Advisory Council (FPACC) recently had a conversation regarding how life in finance has changed and how to navigate these changes.
We all know the stressors and challenges in our professional finance lives. The AFP's North American Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Advisory Council (FPACC) recently had a conversation regarding how life in finance has changed and how to navigate these changes.
04/04/2022
Let’s Talk Talent: How is Finance Practiced Differently Now?
How has finance talent changed today? What changes have you noticed or consciously made in what you look for, or how have you trained your people up differently? AFP’s Asia Pacific FP&A Advisory Council considered this question at their February meeting, and what emerged was an understanding of a finance function in flux.
How has finance talent changed today? What changes have you noticed or consciously made in what you look for, or how have you trained your people up differently? AFP’s Asia Pacific FP&A Advisory Council considered this question at their February meeting, and what emerged was an understanding of a finance function in flux.
03/24/2022
FPAC: Developing a Career in FP&A
AFP recently caught up with Nozomi Abe, FPAC, financial analyst at Qualcomm in Japan, to discuss her decision to earn the FPAC, and how it has affected her life and career journey. The Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional (FPAC) designation is a set of core competencies for the corporate financial planning and analysis (FP&A) profession and a a global symbol of excellence.
AFP recently caught up with Nozomi Abe, FPAC, financial analyst at Qualcomm in Japan, to discuss her decision to earn the FPAC, and how it has affected her life and career journey. The Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional (FPAC) designation is a set of core competencies for the corporate financial planning and analysis (FP&A) profession and a a global symbol of excellence.
03/24/2022
Treasury Profile: Leading Corporate Treasury in Pakistan
When Saima Jamil joined Transworld Associates in 2013, she took a job in the finance division where she dealt with the banks and related matters. At that point in time, the finance department was small and there was no formal treasury role, even though treasury activities were happening. The company started to expand and massively enhanced its core projects to the point where a formal treasury department was established.
When Saima Jamil joined Transworld Associates in 2013, she took a job in the finance division where she dealt with the banks and related matters. At that point in time, the finance department was small and there was no formal treasury role, even though treasury activities were happening. The company started to expand and massively enhanced its core projects to the point where a formal treasury department was established.
03/24/2022
Treasury Profile: His Passion Led him to Corporate Treasury
After nine years in the banking industry, Colin Ho, CTP was ready to move on to his next career development challenge. What he came to discover is that he’s most passionate about taking on complex commercial challenges such as managing strategic liquidity requirements, financial risk management across foreign exchange, interest rate and other market risks and securitization financing.
After nine years in the banking industry, Colin Ho, CTP was ready to move on to his next career development challenge. What he came to discover is that he’s most passionate about taking on complex commercial challenges such as managing strategic liquidity requirements, financial risk management across foreign exchange, interest rate and other market risks and securitization financing.
03/23/2022
AFP Benchmark Survey Provides Valuable Insights into the Anything but Normal of Now
If there's anything we've learned in the past year, it's that there is no normal anymore. We at AFP realized that most of our members were going to be creating a budget or a forecast without a stable basis of comparison for operations due to market, talent and high supply chain disruptions. All of our historicals were thrown out of whack!
If there's anything we've learned in the past year, it's that there is no normal anymore. We at AFP realized that most of our members were going to be creating a budget or a forecast without a stable basis of comparison for operations due to market, talent and high supply chain disruptions. All of our historicals were thrown out of whack!
03/22/2022
Cutting Through the Hype: Pearson's AI-based Cash Forecasting Marvel
Cash forecasting is top of every financial professional’s mind, particularly as we continue to climb out of the coronavirus pandemic worldwide. In a recent webinar, “Cutting Through the Hype: Pearson’s AI-based Cash Forecasting Marvel,” Nicolas Christiaen and James Kelly, walk us through their journey to an AI-based cash forecasting system.
Cash forecasting is top of every financial professional’s mind, particularly as we continue to climb out of the coronavirus pandemic worldwide. In a recent webinar, “Cutting Through the Hype: Pearson’s AI-based Cash Forecasting Marvel,” Nicolas Christiaen and James Kelly, walk us through their journey to an AI-based cash forecasting system.
03/22/2022
New Partnership Prepares India’s Financial Professionals for FP&A Excellence
The Indian economy is expected to evolve rapidly in 2022 and beyond — and the call for knowledgeable and skilled financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals has never been greater. These strategic thinkers have risen to the role of essential business partners, and their influence and value are expected to be sought by corporations throughout the APAC region for the foreseeable future. And, with the right credentials, financial professionals in India can expect to rise in their organisations to fill these essential talent gaps.
The Indian economy is expected to evolve rapidly in 2022 and beyond — and the call for knowledgeable and skilled financial planning and analysis (FP&A) professionals has never been greater. These strategic thinkers have risen to the role of essential business partners, and their influence and value are expected to be sought by corporations throughout the APAC region for the foreseeable future. And, with the right credentials, financial professionals in India can expect to rise in their organisations to fill these essential talent gaps.
03/17/2022
How One Ukraine Treasurer is Faring Under Russian Invasion
How are our peers in Ukraine’s treasury and finance profession faring? This is a question we’ve all been wondering as we watch the world news each night, read the latest headlines and, for those of us who are operating outside the warzone, offer a moment of gratitude.
How are our peers in Ukraine’s treasury and finance profession faring? This is a question we’ve all been wondering as we watch the world news each night, read the latest headlines and, for those of us who are operating outside the warzone, offer a moment of gratitude.
03/11/2022
The Road Less Traveled: From Chemical Engineer to Director of FP&A
Comprised of top FP&A professionals from around the globe, the FP&A Advisory Council aids AFP’s staff in understanding current and developing areas of focus pertinent to FP&A, allowing us to better serve our association members. In this month's profile we spoke with Raja Ramachandran, MBA, FPAC, CTP, CMA, director of global FP&A for Owens & Minor.
Comprised of top FP&A professionals from around the globe, the FP&A Advisory Council aids AFP’s staff in understanding current and developing areas of focus pertinent to FP&A, allowing us to better serve our association members. In this month's profile we spoke with Raja Ramachandran, MBA, FPAC, CTP, CMA, director of global FP&A for Owens & Minor.
03/07/2022
In an Ownership Culture, People Spend Money Like It's Their Own
When we talk about changing culture in an organization, it rarely starts with finance, but maybe it should. Why? Because finance has a significant impact — good or bad — on the culture of any organization. In an ownership culture, people spend money like it's their own, and that leads to more discipline. And it leads to more willingness to invest in good things.
When we talk about changing culture in an organization, it rarely starts with finance, but maybe it should. Why? Because finance has a significant impact — good or bad — on the culture of any organization. In an ownership culture, people spend money like it's their own, and that leads to more discipline. And it leads to more willingness to invest in good things.
03/07/2022
Bringing Swing Pricing to U.S. Money Market Mutual Funds
Swing pricing is widely used in Europe to regulate money market mutual funds. If instituted here in the U.S., funds would be required to adjust their share prices to reflect transactions costs. During periods of heavy withdrawals, that would also include the effect of selling assets that are less liquid.
Swing pricing is widely used in Europe to regulate money market mutual funds. If instituted here in the U.S., funds would be required to adjust their share prices to reflect transactions costs. During periods of heavy withdrawals, that would also include the effect of selling assets that are less liquid.
03/01/2022
Reconstructing the Hierarchical Pyramids: A Dell Case Study
What do the ancient pyramids of Egypt and corporate hierarchies have in common? They have both existed for as long as civilization, they require a large base to support the apex, and neither is the best way of building for the future. Just as technology has been empowering our personal worlds with faster, cheaper, and more democratized access to knowledge, the same is happening in the corporate world.
What do the ancient pyramids of Egypt and corporate hierarchies have in common? They have both existed for as long as civilization, they require a large base to support the apex, and neither is the best way of building for the future. Just as technology has been empowering our personal worlds with faster, cheaper, and more democratized access to knowledge, the same is happening in the corporate world.
02/28/2022
Illuminating Best Practices for Effective and Compelling Data Visualizations
We work in FP&A, analysis is in our name and DNA. We should be presenting insights, and visualizations are effective forms of communication, to elevate our work from good to great. AFP set out create a webinar series that shows in practical terms what can be created through a reporting renovation, with graph glow-ups and charting conversions.
We work in FP&A, analysis is in our name and DNA. We should be presenting insights, and visualizations are effective forms of communication, to elevate our work from good to great. AFP set out create a webinar series that shows in practical terms what can be created through a reporting renovation, with graph glow-ups and charting conversions.
02/22/2022
Pioneer of Organizational Psychology Set to Headline AFP 2022 in Tuesday Keynote
How can we find motivation and meaning, rethink assumptions and live more generous and creative lives? Just ask Adam Grant. By way of prolific and passionate writings, talks and teachings, Grant is helping us rethink leadership, work and life. And this year, he’s also the AFP 2022 Tuesday Keynote.
How can we find motivation and meaning, rethink assumptions and live more generous and creative lives? Just ask Adam Grant. By way of prolific and passionate writings, talks and teachings, Grant is helping us rethink leadership, work and life. And this year, he’s also the AFP 2022 Tuesday Keynote.
02/22/2022
AFP Announces Formation of APAC Treasury Council
The Association for Finance Professionals (AFP) opened its Asia office in Singapore in June 2019 seeking to better connect with and serve finance professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, we formed the APAC Treasury Council to further our understanding of the unique challenges and needs within the region.
The Association for Finance Professionals (AFP) opened its Asia office in Singapore in June 2019 seeking to better connect with and serve finance professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, we formed the APAC Treasury Council to further our understanding of the unique challenges and needs within the region.
02/14/2022
Build Design Thinking Into Financial Processes
What does design have to do with finance? Finance has the ability to design processes that derive more value for themselves and their business partners with lower pain points and increased efficiency by applying design thinking principles.
What does design have to do with finance? Finance has the ability to design processes that derive more value for themselves and their business partners with lower pain points and increased efficiency by applying design thinking principles.
02/11/2022
Finance: Turning Purpose Into Performance
Xin Gan, finance controller for Valeo Service China, is a current member of AFP’s Financial Planning and Analysis Advisory Council (FPAAC), which is instrumental in the delivery of relevant and timely content to the membership and community. We recently spoke with Gan about his management style and the impact and importance FP&A has had on his skillset.
Xin Gan, finance controller for Valeo Service China, is a current member of AFP’s Financial Planning and Analysis Advisory Council (FPAAC), which is instrumental in the delivery of relevant and timely content to the membership and community. We recently spoke with Gan about his management style and the impact and importance FP&A has had on his skillset.
02/02/2022
Tips and Tricks for Writing a Speaker Proposal that’s Ready for Primetime
Speaking at a national conference of your peers is a great recognition of your hard work and success. Lots of proposals will be submitted for AFP 2023, so how can you make sure your topic shines and gets strong consideration?
Speaking at a national conference of your peers is a great recognition of your hard work and success. Lots of proposals will be submitted for AFP 2023, so how can you make sure your topic shines and gets strong consideration?
01/31/2022
Tools for Developing Collective Thinking on Your Team
All too often, in a desire to get along or breed consensus, teams get mired in groupthink. This is dangerous as it can lead to poor decision-making based on a very narrow perspective. When we think collectively — also referred to as cognitive diversity — we use the creativity, knowledge, and experience of everyone around us to tackle an issue. When asked how we go about encouraging this in the workplace, Warren Hatch, CEO of Good Judgment, offered some advice, which started with creating the right environment.
All too often, in a desire to get along or breed consensus, teams get mired in groupthink. This is dangerous as it can lead to poor decision-making based on a very narrow perspective. When we think collectively — also referred to as cognitive diversity — we use the creativity, knowledge, and experience of everyone around us to tackle an issue. When asked how we go about encouraging this in the workplace, Warren Hatch, CEO of Good Judgment, offered some advice, which started with creating the right environment.
01/31/2022
You Love It, You Hate It: KYC Compliance at the Forefront
KYC, know your customer, you hear the term all the time, but what is it? In a recent webinar titled “Enhancing KYC Compliance,” Bea Salvidar, CTP, Global Payments and Treasury advisor for Kyriba, and Tom Hunt, CTP, director of Treasury Services, AFP, tackled this top-of-mind subject.
KYC, know your customer, you hear the term all the time, but what is it? In a recent webinar titled “Enhancing KYC Compliance,” Bea Salvidar, CTP, Global Payments and Treasury advisor for Kyriba, and Tom Hunt, CTP, director of Treasury Services, AFP, tackled this top-of-mind subject.
01/25/2022
“I Want To Motivate My Team” - An Interview With Eric Ellis
AFP sat down with Eric Ellis, past council chair and a member of AFP’s Financial Planning and Analysis Advisory Council (FPAAC). Ellis is currently the interim CFO of the National Restaurant Association. Learn how FP&A prepared him to be a CFO and what insight he's gained along the way.
AFP sat down with Eric Ellis, past council chair and a member of AFP’s Financial Planning and Analysis Advisory Council (FPAAC). Ellis is currently the interim CFO of the National Restaurant Association. Learn how FP&A prepared him to be a CFO and what insight he's gained along the way.
01/24/2022
AFP Announces 2022 Asia-Pacific Advisory Council
The overall objective of FPAAC is to establish a networking and advisory group for FP&A practitioners from APAC organizations to discuss best practices, common challenges and innovative initiatives, as well as network with their peers. The council members have contributed their time and effort to creating a regional conference, webinars, and a string of articles illuminating best and emerging practices.
The overall objective of FPAAC is to establish a networking and advisory group for FP&A practitioners from APAC organizations to discuss best practices, common challenges and innovative initiatives, as well as network with their peers. The council members have contributed their time and effort to creating a regional conference, webinars, and a string of articles illuminating best and emerging practices.
01/19/2022
AFP Announces New Members to the North American FP&A Advisory Council for 2022
We are pleased to announce the members of AFP’s 2022 Advisory Council. These members represent a broad cross section of industries, size, and ownership structure, and are selected based on their contributions to the FP&A practice, expertise in specific areas, and desire to contribute to the advancement of their peers.
We are pleased to announce the members of AFP’s 2022 Advisory Council. These members represent a broad cross section of industries, size, and ownership structure, and are selected based on their contributions to the FP&A practice, expertise in specific areas, and desire to contribute to the advancement of their peers.
01/19/2022
Making the Case for Bank Fee Analysis
At AFP 2021, two treasury experts took on the subject of bank fee analysis, helping participants see not only the benefits, but also the history, global implications — and the way forward.
At AFP 2021, two treasury experts took on the subject of bank fee analysis, helping participants see not only the benefits, but also the history, global implications — and the way forward.
01/12/2022
