For today’s Office of the CFO, complexity isn’t the exception. It is the operating reality. Shifting trade policies, fragile supply chains and managing across jurisdictions have made working capital management a tangled web. But complexity doesn’t have to be chaos.
Here is a practical checklist finance leaders can use to bring clarity, speed and control to working capital strategy without overhauling their entire infrastructure.
1. Map Your Complexity
Document all legal entities, geographies, systems and supply chain touchpoints that affect working capital. This baseline will guide every integration and improvement decision.
2. Unify Platforms Without Rip and Replace
Focus on integration, not disruption. Connecting existing platforms can centralize key data and processes faster than a full technology overhaul.
3. Streamline Cross-Functional Workflows
Align finance, sales, technology and operations on shared KPIs. A single source of truth improves decision-making and reduces delays.
4. Automate High-Friction Processes
Target manual processes in AR, AP and reporting. Even partial automation can free resources and improve accuracy.
5. Standardize Supplier and Buyer Data
Inconsistent onboarding, payment terms and documentation slow cash flow. Create templates and enforce them globally.
6. Embed Risk Mitigation in Working Capital
Integrate credit insurance tracking and exposure monitoring into workflows to avoid costly gaps.
7. Prioritize Execution Visibility
Identify and address local market bottlenecks early. Visibility at the execution level prevents small issues from escalating.
8. Build Playbooks for Special Cases
Non-disclosed financing and indirect payment arrangements require specialized processes. Pre-approve workflows to save weeks during execution.
9. Measure What Matters
Focus on liquidity, cycle times and cost of capital as leading indicators, not just lagging performance metrics.
10. Challenge Your Providers
Test their ability to deliver speed, flexibility, and tailored solutions. The right partner should meet your needs in real time.
Bottom line: Complexity will keep increasing, but with the right checklist, the Office of the CFO can turn it into a competitive advantage. For more insight, download the GSCF’s eBook, Simplifying Complexity in Working Capital Management: A Guide for the Office of the CFO.