Association for Financial Professionals, Inc.

The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) is a professional society dedicated to advancing the success of finance executives globally. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, AFP's core mission is to drive the future of finance and treasury and to develop the leaders of tomorrow through certification, training, and premier industry events. It serves as a global resource and advocate for the finance profession.

AFP offers key services including the administration of globally recognized certifications: the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) and the Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional (FPAC), which set standards of excellence in their respective fields. The organization provides extensive training and educational opportunities through workshops, webinars, online learning platforms, and exam preparation resources. Additionally, AFP hosts significant industry events, such as its annual conference, which is a major networking event for corporate finance professionals worldwide, and specialized forums like the FP&A Forum and Treasury Connect. It also offers various resources, including newsletters, articles, research, and advocacy efforts, catering to treasury and finance professionals, including corporate practitioners, banks, and other financial service providers.

Patrick Culkin serves as the President & CEO of AFP, having stepped into the role in July 2025, with Francine Hope-Pressley as the Chief Financial Officer. In recent news, AFP launched a No Code AI for Finance Certificate in April 2026 to upskill finance teams. A report from April 2026 indicated that over 75% of U.S. firms experienced payments fraud in 2025, highlighting a lag in AI adoption for mitigation. Earlier in 2026, an AFP survey revealed that structured scenario planning is a distinguishing factor for top-performing corporate finance teams, and the organization welcomed 178 new Certified Corporate FP&A Professionals in 2025. AFP maintains its position as a global resource and advocate, serving a network of over 16,000 treasury and finance professionals.

Latest updates

AFP Launches No-Code AI Certificate to Address Finance Skills Gap

Event summary

  • The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) launched a 'No Code AI for Finance' certificate program on April 29, 2026.
  • The certificate program is designed for finance professionals of all technical backgrounds, requiring no coding knowledge.
  • The program consists of eight hours of on-demand content across four modules, priced at $295 for AFP members and $495 for non-members.
  • The curriculum focuses on practical AI applications, including data foundations, machine learning, generative AI, and ethical considerations.

The big picture

The finance function faces increasing pressure to leverage data and automation while dealing with resource constraints. This certificate program directly addresses the growing skills gap in AI literacy, particularly the need for finance professionals to utilize AI tools without requiring extensive coding expertise. AFP's move signals a broader trend of professional organizations adapting to the demands of a data-driven financial landscape.

What we're watching

Adoption Rate
The success of the certificate hinges on widespread adoption within finance teams, and the AFP will need to demonstrate tangible ROI to drive enrollment beyond early adopters.
Curriculum Relevance
The rapidly evolving AI landscape necessitates continuous curriculum updates to ensure the certificate remains relevant and addresses emerging tools and techniques.
Competitive Landscape
Other professional organizations and ed-tech providers are likely to introduce similar offerings, requiring AFP to differentiate its program through specialized content or accreditation.

AFP Expands Asia Footprint with India Training Partnership

Event summary

  • The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) has partnered with India-based Bee-Pro Solutions to offer certification preparation courses for AFP’s CTP and FPAC credentials.
  • The collaboration aims to expand access to these certifications within India's corporate sector.
  • Bee-Pro Solutions will deliver localized, instructor-led training programs.
  • AFP’s CTP is the leading credential in corporate treasury globally, while FPAC establishes core competencies in financial planning and analysis.

The big picture

AFP's partnership with Bee-Pro Solutions represents a strategic move to capitalize on the rapidly growing Indian financial sector and the increasing demand for specialized treasury and FP&A expertise. The rise of GCCs in India, coupled with a need for finance professionals to move beyond reporting into strategic business partnering, creates a significant opportunity for AFP to expand its global reach and revenue streams. This initiative underscores a broader trend of professional organizations seeking to establish a stronger presence in high-growth emerging markets.

What we're watching

GCC Evolution
The shift of India's Global Capability Centers (GCCs) towards strategic support roles will likely drive demand for certified finance professionals, creating a tailwind for AFP and Bee-Pro's partnership. Success hinges on the ability to deliver training aligned with these evolving GCC needs.
Regional Adoption
The pace at which Indian financial professionals adopt AFP's certifications will determine the partnership's long-term scalability and impact, requiring Bee-Pro to effectively localize the training and marketing efforts.
Competitive Landscape
How Bee-Pro Solutions’ practitioner-led coaching model differentiates itself from other training providers in India will be crucial for capturing market share and sustaining growth.

US Firms Grapple with Soaring Payments Fraud as AI Adoption Lags

Event summary

  • Over 75% of US firms experienced payments fraud in 2025, a persistent and growing problem.
  • Business email compromise (BEC) attacks increased to 74% of organizations in 2025, up from previous years.
  • Only 17% of organizations are currently leveraging AI for fraud mitigation.
  • Checks remain a primary target, with 58% of organizations reporting fraud attempts, despite 72% planning to continue using them.
  • Organizations using AI for fraud mitigation reported improvements in fraud reporting efficiency, deepfake detection, and real-time identification.

The big picture

The AFP survey underscores a critical disconnect: while technological solutions like AI demonstrably improve fraud detection, widespread adoption remains low, leaving US businesses vulnerable. This is compounded by the persistence of legacy payment methods like checks, which are increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes. The rising prevalence of BEC attacks, coupled with the treasury department's critical role, suggests a systemic issue requiring a holistic approach to fraud prevention, encompassing technology, process, and personnel.

What we're watching

Vendor Dependence
The continued reliance on checks due to vendor requirements creates a significant vulnerability, potentially hindering modernization efforts and increasing fraud risk. Expect pressure on vendors to adopt more secure payment methods to reduce their clients' exposure.
AI Integration
The slow adoption of AI for fraud mitigation suggests a need for clearer ROI demonstrations and simplified implementation strategies. The gap between AI's proven effectiveness and its actual deployment will likely widen the fraud exposure for laggard organizations.
Treasury Role
The treasury department's central role in fraud detection and recovery highlights the need for increased investment in treasury technology and training. Expect treasury functions to expand their remit and influence within organizations.

Half of Firms Adjust Hurdle Rates Amidst Volatility, Signaling Risk Reassessment

Event summary

  • The 2026 AFP Cost of Capital Survey found that 50% of organizations adjust their hurdle rates in response to market volatility, geopolitical risks, and regulatory shifts.
  • A majority (62%) of organizations use a calculated cost of capital as their standard hurdle rate, while 38% set rates above that benchmark.
  • Treasury (34%) and corporate finance (32%) are the primary functions responsible for WACC calculations, with FP&A involvement lagging.
  • CAPM (83%) and DCF (83%) remain the dominant financial models for valuation, and IRR, NPV, and ROI are widely used for decision-making.
  • Approximately 40% of organizations validate their cost of capital calculations with external parties, primarily investment banks and consulting firms.

The big picture

The AFP survey highlights a growing recognition among financial professionals that static hurdle rates are inadequate in today's volatile environment. The increased frequency of adjustments and reliance on external validation signals a heightened focus on risk-adjusted returns and a willingness to adapt investment strategies. This trend underscores the increasing complexity of capital allocation and the need for more sophisticated financial modeling and governance practices across organizations.

What we're watching

Governance Dynamics
Increased hurdle rate adjustments suggest a shift towards more dynamic capital allocation processes, potentially requiring greater board oversight and scrutiny of investment decisions.
Technology Adoption
The relatively low adoption of machine learning (18%) in cost of capital estimations indicates a potential lag in leveraging advanced analytics for investment decisions, which could create a competitive disadvantage for some firms.
Regulatory Headwinds
The sensitivity of hurdle rates to regulatory shifts implies that organizations will need to proactively monitor and adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes to maintain investment efficiency.

Finance Teams Embrace AI Automation to Drive Strategic Value

Event summary

  • The 2026 AFP FP&A Forum will be held March 23-25, 2026, in Indianapolis.
  • Sessions focus on how finance teams are integrating AI and automation into workflows.
  • Practitioners are emphasizing no-code/low-code tools to reduce reliance on IT and empower finance teams.
  • One CFO reportedly saved 50 hours per month by leveraging AI for end-to-end business modeling and scenario analysis.
  • The forum highlights the shift towards human skills like coaching and partnership as AI handles routine tasks.

The big picture

The AFP FP&A Forum signals a broader trend of finance departments actively driving digital transformation rather than simply reacting to IT initiatives. The emphasis on no-code/low-code tools democratizes AI adoption, potentially shifting power dynamics within organizations and accelerating the integration of AI into core financial processes. This move underscores the increasing importance of finance as a strategic advisor, leveraging AI to provide deeper insights and inform business decisions.

What we're watching

Talent Shift
The ability to retain and upskill finance professionals will be critical as AI adoption accelerates, requiring investment in coaching and cultural adaptation to avoid talent attrition.
IT Dependency
The success of finance-led AI initiatives hinges on the sustained availability of accessible, user-friendly no-code/low-code platforms, and the potential for vendor lock-in or platform obsolescence warrants monitoring.
Data Readiness
The effectiveness of AI-driven insights will be directly tied to the quality and accessibility of underlying data, suggesting a continued need for investment in data governance and infrastructure.

Scenario Planning Drives Finance Agility, Exposes Tech Investment Paradox

Event summary

  • AFP's 2026 FP&A Benchmarking Survey found organizations using structured scenario planning outperform peers in strategic alignment, external factor integration, and horizontal business alignment.
  • Structured scenario planning reduces budgeting cycles by 11%, with users averaging 8.1 weeks versus 9.2 weeks for non-users.
  • Despite significant investment in planning technologies, the average budget production time remains stagnant at 8.7 weeks, unchanged for three years.
  • Only 38% of organizations utilize structured scenario planning, despite its demonstrated benefits, while rolling forecasts, a best practice, are adopted by just 43%.

The big picture

The AFP survey reveals a critical gap between finance's stated ambitions for agility and its actual performance. While technology investments are common, the lack of process improvements, particularly in structured scenario planning, is hindering efficiency and strategic execution. This highlights a broader trend where organizations struggle to realize the full potential of digital transformation, often prioritizing tools over fundamental process redesign.

What we're watching

Tech Adoption
The persistent stagnation in budget production time despite technology investments suggests a fundamental misalignment between tool implementation and process redesign, potentially requiring a shift in how finance departments approach technology adoption strategies.
Execution Risk
The disconnect between executive-level strategic alignment and operational execution, evidenced by low horizontal alignment scores, indicates a risk of strategy failing to translate into tangible results and requires a focus on cross-functional communication and accountability.
Adoption Rate
The low adoption rate of structured scenario planning (38%) suggests a significant opportunity for organizations to improve financial agility, but also highlights a potential barrier related to training, process change management, or perceived complexity.

AFP's FPAC Certification Gains Traction, Signals Rising Demand for Specialized Finance Skills

Event summary

  • The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) certified 178 new Corporate FP&A Professionals (FPACs) in 2025.
  • FPAC holders now span a network of finance professionals in 56 countries.
  • New FPACs include individuals from Fortune 500 companies like Amazon, PepsiCo, Verizon, and Ecolab.
  • FPAC credential holders earn, on average, 5% more in base salary than their uncertified peers.
  • 96% of FPAC credential holders report alignment between the certification materials and their professional responsibilities.

The big picture

The increasing demand for the FPAC certification reflects a broader trend of specialization within the finance function. Companies are seeking FP&A professionals with advanced skills in financial analysis, planning, and forecasting to support increasingly complex business decisions. This trend is likely to be fueled by the growing adoption of data analytics and automation within finance departments, requiring professionals to possess both technical and strategic capabilities.

What we're watching

Global Expansion
The rapid expansion of the FPAC credential into countries like Egypt, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia suggests a growing need for specialized FP&A skills in emerging markets, which could accelerate further adoption.
Compensation Impact
The 5% salary premium for FPAC holders highlights the increasing value placed on specialized finance expertise, and may incentivize more professionals to pursue the credential, potentially impacting the labor market.
Credential Competition
As the FPAC program gains prominence, other professional organizations may develop competing certifications, which could impact the AFP’s market share and necessitate ongoing differentiation of the FPAC offering.
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