Tag Archive for: education

Breakfast Session: Cash Flow Forecasting

| 2-6-2017 | Olivier Werlingshoff | Proferus BV | Sponsored content |

 

Proferus helps companies enhance their forecasting processes to fully take advantage of new opportunities and to get in control over their cash flows. Proferus will host their first breakfast session of a series dedicated to CFOs, Senior Cash Managers and Treasures, this time focusing on Cash Flow Forecasting.

Proferus

Proferus has expertise developing tailored solutions to improve cash management and treasury processes and has a strong partnership network to help companies introduce new tools and techniques to achieve their goals.

Breakfast Session

On June 20th, Proferus will host the first breakfast session of a series dedicated to CFOs, Senior Cash Managers and Treasures, this time focusing on Cash Flow Forecasting.

Content

In this session Proferus we will focus on sharing best practices and a round table about the following topics:

  • Cash Forecasting strategies Direct vs Indirect approach
  • Round table The Need for Cash Flow Forecasting
  • Cashforce Cash forecasting 2.0

Joining us in this breakfast session, Nicolas Christiaen Founder of CashForce will give real life examples of how CashForce is deployed to help companies efficiently deploy cash force forecasting for treasury management.

Date & Time

Tue 20 June 2017, 08:30 h  – 10:00 h
Add to Calendar

Location

Proferus
87 De Entree
1101 BH Amsterdam-Zuidoost
View 

Proferus would be pleased to welcome you.
If you want to register for the event please click on this link.

 

The changing training requirements of banks

| 26-5-2017 | Michiel van den Broek | treasuryXL |

 

Some time ago Treasurer Search published an article of our expert Michiel van den Broek. We believe that the topic of changing training requirements is still relevant – for banks and maybe even in a broader context.
Michiel van den Broek writes: Needless to say that the changing processes and services at banks are driven by the rapid information technology developments. This shift also impacted number and composition of bank staff.

Training

During years of training bank staff, I experience a growing demand for financial basic knowledge, for example:

  • What are core activities of banks and how do these generate different types of income.
  • What are the characteristics of various financial products such as equities, forwards and interest rate swaps.
  • How do I calculate the settlement amount of a financial transaction.
  • What determines the value of a bond.
  • What risks do banks run and how to manage risk.
  • How is the processing of financial transactions structured.

Sufficient financial basic knowledge contributes to better communication and understanding that enhances development & implementation of IT projects. Another important advantage is the lower operational risk: fewer errors, faster identification and problem solving due to better awareness and understanding.

Training online

At the same time I experience lower popularity of traditional training, such as self-study or classroom programs. There is more demand for interactive and easily accessible training via live online classrooms that that can offer next possible advantages:

  • More flexible scheduling.
  • Missed lessons can be viewed (all classes are recorded).
  • Easy access: no need for a training location.
  • Highly interactive.
  • Lower costs.
  • Higher frequency, more participants.

The improved software and increased internet speed reinforce the trend towards live online classrooms.

The changing training requirements at banks is therefore both content and form. There is more demand for financial basic knowledge through online facilities.

 

 

Michiel van den Broek

Owner of Hecht Consult

Better Decisions through real-time Reporting: Business Intelligence about Cash Flows & Cash Positions

|17-5-2017 | Joerg Wiemer | TIS | Sponsored content |

How do strategic professionals decide on the best path to success for their company? The key is in transparency and real-time reporting. If it comes to the responsibility of the treasurer or financial professional this means deciding about company-wide cash flow and liquidity levels, bank, customer and supplier relations and working capital.

When cash flow visibility is the lifeblood of your company, you want full control and knowledge. Direct access to insights on profitability and potential business risks allow users to drive better decisions based on solid business intelligence, accessible anytime and anywhere.

 SCENARIO

Better decisions: Companies now have the power of the Business Discovery Manager – a business intelligence module within the TIS cloud platform. Supplier, salary and treasury payments can be easily analyzed along with cash flows, liquidity and working capital via easy-to-use dashboards and reports. The tool, enhanced through state-of-the-art BI technology, enables users to access all strategic insights in a single, flexible, web-based and multi-bank, multi-ERP capable platform available 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world.

 

Source: TIS Treasury Intelligence Solutions GmbH

Challenges

You can’t manage what you don’t measure

  • A lack of visibility over liquidity, working capital and cash flows at the C-level, in treasury, controlling, accounting, Sales and
    purchasing departments.
  • No transparency regarding bank relationships, liquidity positions and account turnover
  • No transparency regarding customer and supplier relationships, as well as incoming and outgoing cash flow

TIS Business Discovery Manager

Company-wide unified automated analysis of cash flow, liquidity and working capital in various departments of Corporate headquarters and in local subsidiaries

  • Multi-bank capable
  • SAP ERP integration via certified plug-in; connection to any ERP, HR and treasury system
  • State-of-the-art BI technology and functionality in a single SaaS solution
  • Support of customer-specific BI tools; support of self-service BI functionality
  • Business Intelligence as a Service: Ready for use throughout the company within seconds without any complex IT projects
  • No changes to bank or system landscape required; the solution is flexible and easily adaptable
  • ISO 27001 certified for data security

 Customer value

  • Better decisions based on complete visibility of liquidity, working capital and cash flows
  • Ability to quickly answer essential questions without the need for any extensive IT projects

Your benefits

C-Level executives:

  • Instant reports about cash flow performances (total of all inflows and payments) of the various local subsidiaries compared to one another over a specific time period
  • Identification of corporate risks and value-adding activities to drive future growth
  • Tangible insights to support internal and external audits
  • Power and data to provide strategic advice to sales and procurement departments

Treasury and controlling teams:

  • Answers to key questions, such as: How much liquidity is available at which bank? What is the net cash flow for a specific currency over a specific time period for a group of companies (natural hedge)? How much working capital does a local subsidiary require in a specific time period?
  • Increased compliance, transparency, and more efficient processes paired with reduced costs

Accounting teams:

  • Visibility of when a supplier was paid, or when a customer paid a local subsidiary over a certain time period
  • Insight into the value of inflows made by customers via various bank accounts and ERP systems over a specific time period

Sales teams:

  • Insight into the value of inflows made by customers and the overall payment behavior of the customer base

Purchasing teams:

  • Transparency across values of overall payments to a supplier via various bank accounts and ERP systems over a specific time period

Source: TIS Treasury Intelligence Solutions GmbH

Business Discovery Manager: never struggle to answer any of these business-critical questions again

 

joerg wiemer

Joerg Wiemer

CSO and Co-Founder of TIS

 

National Blockchain Coalition: No Dutch Polder model!

| 8-5-2017 | Carlo de Meijer |

Now also The Netherlands (I am a Dutchman!) has its broad-based collaborative blockchain initiative. At the end of last month (30 March 2017), there was the official kick-off of the National Blockchain Coalition (“Nationale Blockchain Coalitie” in official Dutch language) (NBC) at the premises of the Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Hague. The National Blockchain Coalition is a collaboration of more than 20 organisations, governmental institutions and knowledge centres. At the same event the action agenda was handed over to The Dutch Economics Minister Henk Kamp on behalf of the partners of the NBC.

National Blockchain Coalition: raison d’être

The creation of the Coalition is an initiative of Team ICT, last year set up by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and is one of the action points in the “Digital Agenda” of the Dutch Government to accelerate the digitalisation of the economy.

The partners in the Coalition are convinced there is increasing need for corporates and government bodies to realise synergies between existing blockchain initiatives, facilitate them and bundle and share the knowledge already gained. Al these initiatives are being brought into the Coalition. But they also agreed that there is a need to create coherence between policy, regulation, supervision, maintenance and execution.

Main goal of the Coalition is to establish the preconditions needed for trusted and reliable blockchain applications. The collaboration aims, by means of collective initiatives, cooperation and knowledge sharing, to enable the Netherlands become front runner in the field of applying blockchain technology.

Some quotes (originally in Dutch!)

“The Blockchain Coalition stands for innovation and an open network approach. Cooperating on difficult issues that no one can solve on its own”. Minister Kamp

“Developing and introduction of blockchain ask for a coordinated approach of challenges by parties form various sectors. If The Netherlands in this pioneer stadium takes the chances there are, we could become a frontrunner in the blockchain area in the world”. René Penning de Vries, Team ICT

“We as employers organisation are extremely positive about this initiative and its timing. If we (in the Netherlands) collectively shoulder this project, I am firmly convinced that we will be frontrunner worldwide on blockchain.” VNO-NCW chairman Hans de Boer

“Most important lesson is that you cannot pick up this (blockchain) theme alone. Most value will be created if you bring more parties together and unites. That is also one of the main reasons to get to work with blockchain via a consortium”. Mariken Tannemaat, Chief Innovation Officer Nationale Nederlanden 

Partners

This joint initiative has 23 founding partners and 8 sustaining organisations. Because the application of blockchain technology is expected to have a big impact on the financial sector, as well as logistics and energy sector, these are the best represented sectors in the Coalition.

From the financial services side banks like ABN AMRO, ING en Volksbank and insurer Nationale Nederlanden participate.
Other partner organisations are: Havenbedrijf Rotterdam, Enexis, Alliander, de Koninklijke Notariële Beroepsorganisatie, Brightlands, CWI, Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT), de KvK, RDW, Rijksdienst voor Identiteitsgegevens, ECP | Platform voor de InformatieSamenleving.
From the government side participating bodies are: Ministeries van Economische Zaken, Infrastructuur en Milieu, Veiligheid and Justitie en Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties.
From the knowledge centre side: TU Delft, Universiteit van Tilburg, Radboud Universiteit, Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, NWO and TNO.
Supportive organisations include: AFM, Betaalvereniging Nederland, De Nederlandsche Bank, de NVB, DutchChain, SIVI, StartupDelta en Verbond van Verzekeraars.

Action Agenda

The action agenda is a joint initiative of the above mentioned organisations. In this action plan it is described which steps the Coalition is going to take in the coming period to realise the various goals. The agenda contains three lines of action to boost blockchain expertise and operational readiness in The Netherlands.
The partners of the National Blockchain Coalitie will primarily focus on the development of digital identities, with which persons, objects and legal persons in the blockchain can perform transactions as part of a blockchain. Working on these identification processes requires the focus on both interoperability (APIs) and standardisation.
”Goal is to create stronger identities for persons, so that repetitive verification is not needed. This is one of the preconditions needed to let blockchain function well”. Program manager Ad Kroft.
Besides that the Coalition will also work on solutions in the field of legislation and acceptation. It is thereby their intention to work on the right conditions under which blockchain can be used.

Also arrangements have been made regarding education, knowledge sharing and strengthen skills. The third line of action is realisation of the Human Capital Agenda to improve the level of knowledge and skills on blockchain, both at an information-technical as well as on social-scientific, economical, legal, ethical and business themes.

Positives

Blockchain has the potential to make business processes more efficient and reliable. The Coalition partners foresee great possibilities within the country for improvement of service delivery, better control of production processes, cost savings, reduction of fraud and reduced cyber risk.The Coalition also foresees positive effects on the autonomy of citizens, transparency of transactions, cybersecurity and reduction of administrative burden.
“Blockchain plays an important role in the further strengthening of trust in the world of digital transactions. This technology brings positive effects for the efficiency of organisations that are active in the financial sector.” Arjan van Os, Head Innovation Centre

No Poldermodel

Collaboration, certainly when talking about blockchain is a necessity. To discuss the rules of the game, agree on common issues etc. But the participating partners in this Coalition should prevent that the final results are weakened compromises (for the sake off!!). The partners in the Coalition should keep in mind that in this field a Polder model to keep everybody satisfied is not the way!!!! Because that will leave the Netherlands behind, not in front. Besides, the benefits of blockchain can only be reaped at the maximum in an international context. And not isolated. This asks for international cooperation.

 

Carlo de Meijer

Economist and researcher

 

Guide to Treasury Technlogy by ACT & AFP

| 1-5-2017| treasuryXL | ACT | AFP |

ACT and AFP have published a Guide to Treasury Technology sponsored by Bloomberg, which might be interesting for you.
Managing treasury tasks has become more complex due to globalization of markets and increasing uncertainty in business since the first AFP edition appeared in 2011. Since then treasurers faced multiple challenges to exercise control of treasury activities, especially group activities.

Managing treasury has become more complex during the years in the face of global change and increasingly uncertain markets. Treasury practitioners face magnified challenges, as they try to gain more visibility and exercise more control over group activities. Treasury technology developed quickly to help them to operate more efficiently and answer compliance requests with ever more stringent regulation. Automate processes was one of the biggest challenges. Technology can help treasury play a more strategic role, automate routines and be compliant with regulatory environment.

Joint AFP/ACT publication, sponsored by Bloomberg

This guide is the first joint AFP/ACT publication and aims to help practitioners to identify a cost-efficient solution.

The first chapter starts with a detailed introduction of the development of treasury technology, expectations towards this technology and how the evolution of the Corporate Treasurer took place. This chapter illustrates how the technology available to treasurers has developed over the last 15 years. A brief explanation of how dedicated treasury technology was first developed is followed by details of how a series of factors have moulded the treasury technology market into the one we see today. Three points are highlighted: that the treasury technology market has matured, tremendous improvements in the quality of connectivity and what the changes brought with them for Corporate Treasurers.

Why review technology?

In Chapter 2 the drivers for reviewing the technology and a case study are presented.
With the rapid changes in available technology, the increased opportunity for treasury centralization and the need for treasurers to be able to demonstrate control over activities, treasurers were reviewing how best to deploy technology in order to help them perform their various roles effectively. Given the different environments in which companies operate, the potential benefits from the deployment of a new technology solution can vary significantly. This chapter outlines some of the key drivers that are encouraging treasury practitioners to review their use of technology.

Purpose of technology

Chapter 3 deals with the purpose of technology and identifies the core roles of the treasury department. Also how treasury structure can affect the use of technology. When assessing a deployment of technology, treasurers need to determine their requirements of the technology. This chapter includes a series of questions to help treasurers clarify their existing operations and also identify how structures and processes might change with the adoption of new technology. A case study shows how a company uses a certain technology to improve process quality.

Technology solutions

Chapter 4 presents treasury technology solutions.
A wide range of technology solutions is available to support treasurers. Treasury management systems are able to support the majority of the work of most treasury departments. However, it is also possible to develop a technology solution that supports treasury departments, including those with complex operations, without adopting a treasury management system. This can be achieved by developing in-house solutions or by using tools offered by banks and other vendors. A range of potential solutions available to support treasurers is presented in this chapter.

Evaluation and building a business case

Chapter 5 is about the evaluation process and how building a business case can help to evaluate which technology fits best. How to build a business case and then how to develop a requirements definition is explained in detail. The requirements definition is a critical part of the process: it helps to set the scope for the project and is the core document in the selection process. The process of developing the requirements definition also helps to build support for, and awareness of, the project throughout the rest of the organization.

Selection, implementation and maintaining the solution

Chapter 6, 7 deal with the selection and implementation process, while chapter 9 tells you more about maintaining the solution over time.

Trends

Chapter 10, the final chapter describes some of the current trends in treasury technology and lines out how they might impact treasurers over the coming years. Some of the key areas of development in technology and also some of the market changes which might require a technological response are presented.

In the appendix of the guide you will find information on how to develop a request for proposal (RFP) , a checking list for this RFP and a very detailed country reports list.

Source: © Association for Financial Professionals, ACT (Administration) Limited and WWCP Limited (except articles by Bloomberg LP), 2016, ISBN 978 1 899518 47 0 book 978 1 899518 48 7 CD ROM, for the articles  Bloomberg LP, 2016 | TMI

Our conclusion

A very detailed, valuable guide for all who want to learn more about treasury technology, want to find out more on how to select the best technology solution that meets the specific requirements of their company and what to focus on during the purchase and implementation process. You can find the guide on tmi, after registering for free.

 

Interesting apples and oranges a.k.a. the Dutch Fintech Awards

|18-4-2017 | Pieter de Kiewit

One of my friends who works in human capital development and is a psychologist, explained me once how we can increase our creative output. One of the elements he mentioned was mixing up the way information comes to you and how you digest it. For example, if you are used to create business plans  sitting behind your desk and writing, a multi-person brainstorm session might tap into your undiscovered creative potential. And the other way around: if you are talker/listener, try writing for a change.

Bearing this in mind, I always try to combine personal meetings, with calls, with reading, events and so on. For the people who know me: I am always behind on my reading. So much to read, so little time! Events and personal meetings get my creative juices flowing. Today I trained MBA students of RSM in their labour market approach, very inspiring. And I look forward to the Dutch Fintech Awards that are organized shortly.

Dutch FinTech Awards

Being a recruiter with a focus on corporate treasury, I have tried to find the Fintech Awards contenders with a relevance for the corporate treasury community. This is not as obvious as it seems, only a few are. I do not envy the jury of this event. Categorizing the contenders is almost impossible, let alone judging them. Comparing blokchain insurance with video financial services sales and a crowdfunding platform with easy on-line payments, is comparing apples with oranges. One thing is clear: some of the potential award winners are very good at attracting social media attention.

Despite their diversity, each of the companies tells a different inspiring story. Some of them are about cutting edge technology, some of them are about understanding potential clients, others are about smart entrepreneurship. One thing I am sure of is that the level of creativity of the entrepreneurs will be extremely high. I am ready to be inspired and will inform you in my review blog afterwards.

On 21 April the Dutch FinTech Awards will take place in Utrecht. A day with many international keynote speakers, provoking master classes and pitches by the Dutch FinTech 50. Make sure you register today and join this unique opportunity to meet 300 International FinTech stakeholders. Via treasuryXL you can get a discount on the regular ticket. More information

Pieter de Kiewit

 

 

Pieter de Kiewit
Owner Treasurer Search

 

Financial Systems on May 18th, 2017: Smart technology for smart professionals

| 16-3-2017 | Financial Systems | treasuryXL | sponsored content |

Once more the Financial Systems exhibition will open its doors on May 18th in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. As the years before it will be the most outstanding event where finance and IT meet each other. treasuryXL will promote the event on a regular basis and we will be present at the event with our own booth.

Financial Systems brings together financial professionals and IT suppliers in an inspiring environment and combines an exclusive exhibition with a very valuable day programme. Visitors get a deeper insight in the IT solutions that are available on the Dutch market and can meet all sorts of service providers for the financial sector. The event is organized by Alex van Groningen in cooperation with Next Level Academy since 2011 and visited every year by about 1000 finance professionals.

Meet hundreds of fellow specialists

During Financial Systems you can meet hundred of fellow specialists of different financial and IT sectors and share your knowledge and experience with them. Update your know-how of the latest market developments, learn about relevant, latest trends in Finance and IT, such as Fintech, robotics, artificial intelligence, big data and analytics, brought to you by outstanding speakers.

Why visit?

  • In just one day you will gain plenty of information about latest trends in your discipline
  • Meet new, innovative IT partners
  • Visit free presentations about newest technologies for all kind of financial disciplines
  • Exchange know-how with other experts on IoT, analytics, big data and more and renew your network contacts
  • Inspiring keynote presentation of trendwatcher and futurist Richard van Hooijdonk

Programme

We will publish the complete programme of the day as soon as it is known in detail.
You will have a wide selection of case presentations, product pitches, inspirations sessions, expert sessions, product presentations and panel discussion rounds in various parallel sessions.
There will be an exhibition space with approximately 40 booths, where you also can find us.

Location

Financial Systems will take place at the NBC Congrescentrum, Blokhoeve 1, 3438 LC Nieuwegein​ which offers modern facilities and a large parking space.

[separator type=”” size=”” icon=””]

Register for free via https://financial-systems.nl/aanmelden/, choose the option ‘gratis registreren met code’ and use the following registration code: TXL2017

[button url=”https://financial-systems.nl/aanmelden/” text=”Register for free with our action code” size=”” type=”primary” icon=”” external=”1″]

[separator type=”” size=”” icon=””]

For more information on promotion possibilities please contact:

Annette Gillhart – Community Manager treasuryXL

[icon icon=”envelope” color=”” size=”tiny” with_circle=”0″ link=””] [email protected]
[icon icon=”phone” color=”” size=”tiny” with_circle=”0″ link=””] 06-21303744

 

 

[separator type=”” size=”” icon=””]

Buddy, can you spare a virtual dime?

| 6-3-2017 | Lionel Pavey |

 

In januari 2017 was in Het Financieele Dagblad in een artikel te lezen, dat mobiele telefoonprovider Bharti Airtel India’s eerste betalingsbank had gelanceerd, de Airtel Payments Bank. Dit is een nieuwe banksoort, waarvoor de Indiase centrale bank RBI in 2014 richtlijnen uitgaf. Wij vroegen onze expert Lionel Pavey om uit te leggen wat het verschil is tussen een betalingsbank en een traditionele bank en wat een betalingsbank mogelijk maakt.

Wat is een betalingsbank?

Bij een betalingsbank kan men geld storten en betaalopdrachten verrichten, maar de bank kan geen krediet verstreken. Traditionele banken kunnen vele malen hun eigen vermogen uitlenen onder het huidige systeem – een betalingsbank kan zijn overtollige middelen alleen uitlenen aan de overheid. Zo een bank wordt beschouwd als heel veilig en heeft een zeer solide balans.

Betalingen worden aangeboden via online betaalsystemen gekoppeld aan mobiele telefoons. De bank heeft geen fysiek netwerk van kantoren – hiermee kan  zij haar diensten goedkoper aanbieden dan traditionele banken. Toegang tot een bankrekening is dus makkelijker en daarmee ontstaat concurrentie voor de bestaande banken. Het toetredingsdrempel is lager – hiermee kunnen meer mensen gebruik maken van bankdiensten.
Een betalingsbank (bijvoorbeeld via een telefoon provider) kan uiteindelijk leiden tot een toekomst waar contant geld niet meer zal bestaan.

Cashless betalen

Pinnen is al een vorm van cashless betalen. Sportverenigingen, bedrijfsrestaurants, winkels, horeca en openbaar vervoer zijn instanties du nu al gebruik maken van cashless betalen. Niet alleen via een bankpas, maar ook via een betaalsleutel die gekoppeld is aan een digitale portemonnee. Zulke diensten kunnen ook aangeboden worden door niet bancaire partijen – zoals telecom providers. In 2003 introduceerde Rabo al het product MiniTix – een elektronische portemonnee.

Wat zijn de voordelen?

  • Bescherming tegen criminaliteit – de kans op (winkel) overval wordt sterk verminderd.
  • Omzet verhoging – het gemak zal kunnen leiden tot meer uitgaven. De drempel om uit te geven is lager.
  • Direct ontvangst – door direct overmaken kan de omzet gelijk geboekt worden.
  • Inzicht – betere analyse op omzet en klanten. Producten kunnen meer gericht worden op de klant.
  • Cash is onveilig, duur in onderhoud en vergt een hoop administratieve handelingen
  • Inzicht – alle bonnen worden digitaal opgeslagen in jouw portemonnee na afrekening
  • Zwart geld – dit verdwijnt steeds meer – dit is voordelig voor de fiscus.

Wat zijn de nadelen?

  • Verplichting – iedereen moet mee doen, dus geen vrije keus.
  • Privacy niet meer veilig – het gebruik leidt tot een elektronische spoor. Betalingen zijn traceerbaar.
  • Veiligheid is zeer belangrijk – wie bewaakt alle gegevens, wie heeft toegang, hoe controleer je dit?
  • Kwetsbaar – zoals al gezien met bitcoins, cybercriminelen geven aandacht aan het kaalplukken van elektronische rekeningen.
  • Interventie – de staat zou een negatief rente kunnen invoeren op bankrekeningen. Men zou dan niet hun tegoed kunnen opnemen in contante.

In het dagelijkse leven: mijn dochter

Mijn dochter is 10 en krijgt zakgeld. Het geld gaat in een spaarpot. Als zij iets wil kopen moet het geld uit de spaarpot gehaald worden en geteld. Eenmaal aangekomen bij de winkel treedt de “wet van Pappa” in werking.
Als ik haar aankoop als educatief beschouw, wil ik 50 pro cent van de aankoop-prijs betalen. Maar als iets EUR 20 kost moet mijn dochter wel EUR 20 in haar spaarpot hebben. Zij kan niet komen met EUR 10 in de veronderstelling dat ik de andere EUR 10 ga betalen.
Zo leer ik mijn dochter om te gaan met geld. Zij moet ook zelf afrekenen bij de kassa en, indien nodig, alle relevante vragen aan de verkoper stellen. Op het moment dat zij alles uit haar spaarpot uitgeeft, moet zij beseffen dat zij er niets meer zal overhouden als zij de gewenste aankoop doet – zij gaat terug naar nul en moet weer alles opbouwen. Dit kan een sober effect veroorzaken – een openbaring.

Hoe doet u dit met uw eigen kinderen?
En hoe gaan wij onze kinderen leren omgaan met geld als het niet meer fysiek is?
Dat is pas een uitdaging!

Never spend your money before you have it – Thomas Jefferson

Lionel Pavey

Lionel Pavey

Cash Management and Treasury Specialist – Flex Treasurer

 

To be or not to be a treasurer

|10-2-2017 | Jan de Kroon |

 

Recent berichtten de (social) media over een Treasury initiatief van enkele hogescholen onder regie van de Hogeschool Utrecht. Het initiatief behelst een praktische minor Treasury Management waarin de masterstudenten aan de hand van praktische casuïstiek en tooling worden voorbereid op een mogelijk treasury carrière. Het interview met de initiatiefnemers maakte melding van de moeite die sommige studenten hadden met het inleven in de problematiek.

Gastlezing over treasury management

Het doet me denken aan een gastlezing over treasury management die ik zomer vorig jaar gaf aan trainees van een detacheerder die vooral actief is in de zorg. Ter voorbereiding had men zijn best gedaan om zoveel mogelijk kennis en inzicht te vergaren. Tot praktijkcases uit de klantenkring aan toe. Groot was de verbazing toen men ontdekte dat het daar die middag eigenlijk nauwelijks over ging. Althans, niet in eerste instantie.

Een initiatief om in het hoger onderwijs een goede basis te leggen voor het treasury management dat men later in de carrière tegen gaat komen juich ik zonder meer toe.
Wat daarbij echter van groot belang is, en niet altijd voldoende aandacht krijgt, is beleidsmatige en organisatorische ordening die vooraf gaat aan ieder vorm van treasury en überhaupt ieder onderdeel van de financiële functie. Daar vinden we immers de kaders waarbinnen informatie en financiële techniek tot resultaten moeten leiden.

De treasury functie

De treasury functie zorgt voor toekomstige financierbaarheid, voor bescherming van vermogen en resultaat tegen financiële risico’s en regelt de financiële logistiek. Maar dat kan alleen in functie van wat het kernbedrijf van de organisatie in kwestie van plan is. Op de korte maar ook op de langere termijn levert de treasuryfunctie, net als de controlfunctie, randvoorwaarden die aantoonbare toegevoegde waarde bieden. Mits goed ingevuld heeft de financiële functie een positieve invloed op de concurrentiekracht. Net zoals een goed geëquipeerde HR functie dat overigens heeft.

Net als de controller zal ook de toekomstige treasurer zich met het kernbedrijf moeten kunnen verbinden om zich te profileren als de leveranciers van toegevoegde waarde. Inleven in wat de business doet, financiële risico’s zien nog voor ze zich voordoen en net als de moderne controller in zekere zin navigator zijn. Dat vraagt van betrokkenen het vermogen om schijnbaar complexe financiële vraagstukken terug te brengen tot de essentie.

Het vraagt ook om ‘buy in’ en een zeker financieel-economisch bewustzijn van lijnmanagement. Ook van de treasurer-to-be vraagt dat om een meer generalistische kijk op de bedrijfsvoering en wat daarbinnen gebeurt alvorens hij als specialist de kanonnen in stelling kan brengen. Je kunt immers briljant zijn in je visie op financiële markten en meester in financiële techniek; als je geen grip hebt op de onderliggende posities ben je toch gedoemd te falen. En laat daar nou juist de grootste uitdaging zitten!

Jan de Kroon

 

Jan de Kroon

Owner & Managing partner of Improfin Groep

Treasury education & training. What’s next?

| 11-1-2017 | Theo Paardekooper |

studies

 

De treasury functie heeft zich de afgelopen jaren verder ontwikkeld. Zowel in technische zin als ook functioneel wordt de positie van de treasurer verruimd. Dit vraagt om uitbreiding van kennis en vaardigheden. Op de website van treasuryXL is informatie te vinden over education & training. De markt vraagt echter om meer. Academische titels vormen een entreebewijs voor de volgende stap. Wellicht een goed voornemen voor 2017. In deze bijdrage derhalve een korte introductie van de mogelijkheden.

Internationale Setting

Het in de UK gevestigde ACT, the Association of Corporate Treasurers zet de wereldstandaard in treasury opleiding. Via de ACT is een Certificaat in Internationaal Cashmanagement te halen, dat wereldwijd een goede reputatie heeft. Dit gaat echter alleen over cashmanagement.  De ACT staat bekend om haar treasury opleidingspogramma’s t.w. Certificate of Treasury fundamentals (3-6 maanden), Certifcate of Treasury ( 6-12 maanden), Diploma in Treasury Management (12-18 maanden) en Advanced diploma MCT (15 maanden).  Het behalen van het diploma in Treasury Management geeft de titel AMCT (associate member) en het eindstation is het advanced diploma in MCT (Master in Corporate Treasury).

Het is mogelijk om de studie voor het diploma Treasury management (managerial level) te starten zonder de voorgaande 2 diploma’s te hebben behaald. Op basis van praktijkervaring kan een toelatingstest worden gedaan.

AMCT en MCT zijn met name zelfstudie opleidingen. Zowel het studiemateriaal als de examens zijn vrij gedetailleerd. Kosten voor het MCT programma bedragen GBP 10.000,=  + aanvullende kosten zoals voor het ACT lidmaatschap. De kosten voor AMCT bedragen GBP 2460,=. Hierbij is alleen sprake van online thuisstudie.

The Dutch way

20 jaar geleden heeft thans emeritus hoogleraar Van der Nat de post-doctorale studie Treasury Management aan de  VU te Amsterdam opgestart. Kosten van het 2 jarige programma bedragen EUR 23.500,=.  Het programma voorziet in 6 uur college per week (middag en avond) gegeven door diverse hoogleraren en experts uit het bedrijfsleven. Het curriculum is onderverdeeld in 4 onderdelen t.w. Treasury en markten, Financiering en financieel management, risk management en organisatie, governance en control. Het Certificate in International Cashmanagement van ACT is een keuzevak in het curriculum. De studie geeft structuur en overzicht van alle (praktijk)kennis van diverse treasury disciplines en kent een sterke wiskundige basis.

Naast reguliere tentamens wordt de opleiding afgerond met een scriptie. Succesvolle afronding geeft recht op de titel RT.

theo-paardekooper

 

Theo Paardekoper 

Independent treasury specialist

 

 

 

Meer artikelen over opleidingen en trainingen: