The Treasurers' Benchmark Report helps companies identify competitive strengths and distinguishing features of their treasury and finance function using independent criteria. It helps treasurers recognise areas where they may be focusing less time or attention in comparison with their peers, and helps to prioritise change and investment. The report also helps in benchmarking treasury operations against comparable companies, as well as larger and smaller companies to position the treasury function for change as the business expands or rationalises its operations.

Although the percentage are still relatively small compared with more traditional areas such as cash and risk, Payables and Receivables management were the greatest areas of growth in treasury. 28% of participants had either taken responsibility for Payables management or had specific plans to develop their operations in this area over the next 12 months; in the area of Receivables, 17% had either taken responsibility or had specific plans to do so. Other companies also anticipated that they would have greater involvement in these areas, in addition to Trade Finance, but specific plans (i.e. over the next 12 months) were not yet in place.

It is surprising that nearly half of treasurers do not routinely review their cash management banks, bearing in mind how significant the relationship between treasury and their banks. Treasury is highly dependent on the cash management products and services provided by the banks for centralization and transparency of cashflow, and fees paid by treasury for these services can be considerable.