By Julie Zawacki-Lucci
Purse strings appear to be loosening slightly for 2017, which will be welcome news for treasurers. According to surveys from across The NeuGroup peer group universe, a total of 46% of respondents showing increases to their budgets for next year (33% with an increase of less than 10% and 13% with an increase greater than 10%). Only 8% of respondents are showing decreases (4% with a decrease less than 10% and 4% with a decrease greater than 10%), versus 17% last year. Some of the areas where treasurers report increased budgets for the coming fiscal year are personnel and technology, which are, to some extent, a consequence of new regulations and related compliance activities. On the flipside, the decrease in budgets is primarily related to bank fees, likely a reflection of a decrease in fees members were paying for various types of transactions and advisory services year over year.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Budgets get a bump. Salary budgets for 2017 have increased slightly year over year. The results of the survey indicate that base salary and cash bonuses are most likely to see increases, as opposed to increased equity grants, in the current environment.
- People and technology are a focus from the top. The main areas where treasurers report increased budgets for the coming fiscal year are personnel and technology. To some extent, additional investment in people and technology is a consequence of new regulations and related compliance activities that require headcount and structured systems to replace reliance on spreadsheets. For companies in locations rich in growth companies, higher compensation may also be needed to retain or replace poachable employees. As for areas targeted for budget decreases, these are primarily related to bank fees, which may be the result of an increase in fees treasurers have been paying for various types of transactions and advisory services in recent years—plus bank attempts to pass along higher regulatory and compliance costs.
- Banks are trying to generate more fees from solutions at a time when corporates plan to cut them. It is a bit ironic that corporates are looking to reduce bank fees at a time when banks, driven by regulation, are seeking to increase this source of income. Similar to last year at this time, a reduction in bank fees is expected in the upcoming year; 38% of survey respondents are actively looking for ways to cut bank fees next year (compared to 19% last year). Given the spike in M&A activity we have seen in the last few years and with so many corporates having taken advantage of historic low rates to issue debt, the fee reduction is likely related to transaction and advisory costs.
SURVEY SAMPLE
The NeuGroup Peer Research surveyed treasurer groups in The NeuGroup Network about employee headcounts and compensation. The results help members identify common challenges for discussions at their meetings that generate solutions. The survey included members from the following groups: tMega, T30 LC, T30 and Tech20.
ABOUT NEUGROUP PEER RESEARCH
NeuGroup Peer Research is the research division of The NeuGroup, with reports, data and analysis provided to members of The NeuGroup Network of knowledge-exchange peer groups and to the subscribers to our flagship publication, iTreasurer. NeuGroup Peer Research conducts research, surveys and other benchmarking across The NeuGroup Network, which includes more than 400 members across 18 active, invitation-only peer groups. Each report highlights what we have learned from this unique and exclusive access to survey data, trends and insights of world-leading treasury and finance professionals. This in-depth interaction has made The NeuGroup, iTreasurer, and now NeuGroup Peer Research, a trusted thought leader and independent advocate for finance and treasury professionals for more than 20 years.