As a wave of new technologieslike blockchain and robotic process automation begin to play a role in business andcommerce, a recent report suggests treasury and finance executivesmay not be prepared to help their companies make the most of theopportunities presented by the new technologies.

A survey of 279 treasury and finance professionals conducted bythe Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) found that 36percent think their company is “not prepared” or only “minimallyprepared” for the new technologies. Just 11 percent of thosesurveyed described their organization as “very prepared” or “fullyprepared.”

Nancy Atkinson, principal and founder of GTB Consulting, saidshe wasn't surprised by the results. “Generally speaking, I don'tthink treasury has a strong focus on technology and on newtechnologies,” Atkinson said. “They look on that as something needsto mature a bit more and eventually they'll look at it.” Treasuryprofessionals may also rely on their banks to inform them about newtechnology, she said.