These tough economic times have forced treasurers into survival mode. Forget exotic derivative strategies; such mundane tasks as boosting AP efficiency, improving visibility into global cash flows, and rightsizing banking relationships are what are helping to keep treasurers sane.

No single formula can determine when every company should count its money. However, with the economy tight and sales hard to come by for most firms, this is one area where improvements can help the bottom line.

For years, conventional wisdom, based on reams of academic studies, has held that firms actually take on less debt than is optimal. However, a new study from Wharton researchers has found that much of the earlier research on the topic overstated the tax benefits available to firms using debt.

Just about everyone has an opinion on the proper role of banking institutions as we go forward in the new economy. One intriguing proposal comes from Boston University professors Laurence Kotlikoff and Christophe Chamley, who advocate that banks return to their original functions of lending money and facilitating payments and leave riskier activities, like buying and selling subprime mortgages, to others.

Some of the banks that participated in the government bailout may now find a few of their own customers bailing, according to a new survey.

Most of the attention regarding International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has focused on the possible implementation schedule for public companies. Sometimes overlooked is the potential use of IFRS within private companies.

The 6th Annual BPM Summit, Generating Value Through Visibility, brought together some of the business world's foremost practitioners to explore the transformational role of finance in the enterprise. If you missed the live event, you can still enjoy unlimited access to the audio and slide shows from the keynote speaker presentations at our on-demand archive.