The 2021 Cash Forecasting & Visibility Survey Report, detailing the findings from a survey comprised of nearly 250 treasury professionals from various industries across the world, was released today with the collaboration of both GTreasury and Strategic Treasurer. It provides insight on the latest cash reporting, forecasting and technology practices.

Some of the key highlights from the report include the desire for real-time global cash position updates by treasurers. Respondents reported they are receiving less frequent or weekly updates. According to the survey, 7% of the respondents are actually achieving real-time cash position updates.  

The survey further reports that 33% of treasury teams find it difficult to obtain cash positions without treasury management systems, while only 10% of treasurers using a treasury management system find it hard to generate their cash position.

As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in cash forecasting continue to evolve, the report stated 6% are currently utilizing an AI /ML system for forecasting today. That number is expected to increase to 27% within the next two years.

With treasury and forecasting technology being an integral part and focus of a successful treasury team, more than 35% of organizations are budgeting “extreme heavy spending” on these systems over the next year.

Treasurers have traditionally had the burden to build and learn new technologies to forecast cash more effectively. As indicated in the survey report, 48% of the survey respondents expressed difficulty with this task. However, 23% of treasurers report that building cash forecasts is a simple process within their organization according to the survey report.

The report also compares the satisfaction of treasurers using Excel to that of those using a TMS/ERP system for cash reporting and forecasting. According to the survey, treasury forecasters using Excel spreadsheets are more than three times as dissatisfied with their output than treasurers using TMS/ERP solutions (23% to 8%, respectively).

“The findings in this year’s Cash Forecasting & Visibility Survey Report provide a clear view into what matters to corporate treasury right now, and the areas that are particularly ripe for modernization,” said Craig Jeffery, Managing Partner at Strategic Treasurer. “AI and ML is arguably the biggest ‘C’ change coming to treasury teams, and it will move quickly. Treasury teams are realizing the challenges of building AI/ML-infused capabilities internally, and are instead adopting AI/ML forecasting capabilities within their existing systems. The rapid anticipated adoption here will empower corporate treasurers with transformative new practices and approaches, from treasury management to FX to payments.”

With the evolution and transformation of treasury systems, the survey provides an in-depth look at the expectations of treasurers on current needs, processes and operations. Furthermore, Michele Marvin, VP, GTreasury, said, “From CFOs to treasury and accounting teams, the results of this report are revelatory when it comes to navigating the current treasury technology landscape, adopting best practices, and capitalizing on the most advantageous opportunities going forward.”

For information on additional survey results and analysis from the 2021 Cash Forecasting & Visibility Survey Report, please view a recorded webinar, hosted by Strategic Treasurer and sponsored by GTreasury, analyzing the results of this report: strategictreasurer.com/webinar-cash-forecasting-and-visibility-2021-survey-results

The downloadable report is available at: strategictreasurer.com/2021-cash-forecasting-and-visibility