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End-of-Year Reflections: Key Insights for Finance Professionals in 2024


<span>End-of-Year Reflections: Key Insights for Finance Professionals in 2024</span>

As we approach the close of another dynamic year, it’s an ideal time to reflect on some of the critical areas that shaped the world of finance throughout 2024. During this year, we published articles and infographics aimed at equipping finance professionals with valuable knowledge in accounts payable (AP), planning, budgeting and forecasting, and general accounting.

Accounts Payable

Our articles and infographics on accounts payable indicate that improving your organization’s performance of AP processes year-over-year is all well and good, but is it good enough relative to other organizations? Benchmarking against your peers and competitors using reliable and independent data provides a more holistic picture that can help you take your performance to the next level. Financial professionals are increasingly leveraging automation to optimize payments cycles, improve supplier relationships and reduce manual tasks. 

Invoice Processing and Greater Productivity 

Invoice Processing: Achieving Greater Productivity for Accounts Payable 

Total Cost to Process Accounts Payable per Invoice Processed 

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Accounts Payable 

Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

As we look toward the future of financial planning, our latest articles explore emerging technology trends in planning, budgeting, and forecasting, highlight the key principles driving effective planning, budgeting, and forecasting, and delve into cycle time KPIs that help organizations streamline processes and enhance forecasting accuracy. 

Technology Trends in Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting 

Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting Process Maturity 

5 Keys to Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting Success

Cycle Time to Prepare the Financial Forecast 

General Accounting

While automation and new technologies are transforming finance, solid accounting fundamentals remain essential. Our general accounting articles emphasized the importance of managing working capital metrics and productivity to maintain financial health. DSO and DPO emerged as crucial levers to optimize cash flow, and productivity KPIs offered deeper insights into finance team efficiency. 

Days Sales Outstanding: A Critical Lever for Managing Cash Flow 

When to Pay: Managing DPO to Improve Cash Flow 

Total Cost to Perform Financial Reporting per $1,000 Revenue 

6 Productivity KPIs Finance Teams Need to Track

Efficiency KPIs in Financial Reporting Can Illuminate Process Weaknesses 

Cycle Time to Perform the Monthly Close

 

What are your priorities and challenges in financial management?

If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to share your thoughts on your organization’s focus areas for the finance function in the coming year.