New Edinburgh Office for Autorek
Scottish fintech AutoRek recently announced the opening of their new office in Edinburgh at Apex One in Haymarket.
Following a very important recruitment push in 2019, a new office was deemed a priority for the 25 year old successful company which provides financial controls, regulatory reporting and data management software solutions.
The new office is just over 5,000 square foot and equipped with the latest technology. It’s ideally built to accommodate for training courses, helping their customers make the most of of their solution.
This follows another move to a new office in Glasgow and 2020 should see their London team being relocated to a bigger office to prepare for growth as the demands from the industry is also rapidly growing.
“After years of sustained growth we are excited to be able to move into a much-needed bigger office space. Apex one in Haymarket is a great location with amazing views. The space is best in class, and we look forward to welcoming our clients to the along for meetings and training days”.
Gordon McHarg, Managing Director
FCA’s Innovate’s Sandbox open for applications
Photo by Prateek Katyal from Pexels
The FCA’s Innovate’s Sandbox is currently open for applications until the 31st of December 2019!
As well as looking for applications from innovative businesses wanting to make positive changes in the financial services sector, this year the FCA has highlighted areas where it would like to see innovation. It’s particularly interested in receiving applications from firms with propositions that:
- make finance work for everyone ”“ by addressing issues around access, exclusion and vulnerability
- support the UK in the move to a greener economy ”“ by responding to the challenges posed by climate change
- use technology to overcome regulatory challenges ”“ by helping regulated firms comply with their obligations
It’s also highlighted 2 specific technology areas where the FCA would like to see more innovation and testing and applications are welcome from:
- federated learning and travelling algorithms
- complex scenario modelling and simulation
For more information on the process, eligibility criteria and lessons from previous Sandbox cohorts please use this link.
It would be great to see more applications coming from the vibrant innovative community in Scotland. Please get in touch if you’d like more information.
Good Luck!
Autorek and the Automation Revolution
AutoRek have just announced that they had partnered with Worldwide Business Research (WBR) to generate an industry report. The report will be focusing the state of automation and data management within the financial services sector.
The survey includes feedback from 100 individuals within the operations, IT, business change, finance and data management business functions. They were asked how automation will affect the financial services industry in the next 5-10 years.
Key findings include:
- The majority of those interviewed are implementing blockchain, semantic data management, machine learning and automation
- Respondents think that AI is likely to impact product development and innovation the most.
- 46% of respondents are looking for new technologies to assist data governance.
Investing in the Automation Revolution’ will launch at Sibos London between 23rd”“ 26thSeptember.
Scottish based AutoRek partners with US Cforia Inc to provide major productivity gains in Cash Collections
Cash Flow is the lifeblood of all businesses, therefore, shortening the time to collect and apply cash to the Accounts Receivable is a key goal for companies.
As revenue grows and the company’s exposure to accounts receivables increases, the size of the Cash and Collection team (C&C) and number of FTEE’s increases to protect what is typically 60% of a company’s available working capital.
But the C&C team expansion does not occur smoothly; it “reacts” after the Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and Days Beyond Terms (DBT) reaches an unacceptable financial point of risk tolerance. When the actual DSO exceeds the target DSO tolerance, the “reaction” comes in the form of hiring another C&C team member or two.
Once hired and trained, the delinquent accounts receive more attention and the DSO/DBT responds favourably and begins to drop below target DSO to acceptable levels…and then this process repeats. This could be referred to as the C&C Wash Rinse andRepeat cycle.
So how do companies escape this traditional react-driven C&C growth cycle? What effect does this fits-and-starts “crisis response” cycle have on your company’s working capital? And what do your key stakeholders think about these practices, particularly related to your C&C team and the productivity of their FTEE’s?
This “Crisis-Driven” environment is pervasive across most C&C departments. In response to the latest crisis deux jour, management will allocate the minimum amount of additional resources and no more. It typically starts with temp staff who never seem to leave. OTC managers are excessively busy. Complicating this further is the lack of access to the necessary IT or consulting resources who could provide assistance in the streamlining of the processes.
This is the significance of the announcement of a partnership between AutoRek and Cforia Inc
Founded in Glasgow and with offices in Edinburgh, London and New York, AutoRek, is a global provider of reconciliation and advanced Order to Cash solutions for both the Financial Services sector and global corporates.
Cforia Software, Inc. is a global enterprise solutions provider, delivering industry-leading working capital and accounts receivable (A/R) automation software. Over 250 enterprises are managing $300 billion in A/R turnover with Cforia today via their Autonomy Software solution
This partnership means that Cforia will now be able to add AutoRek’s learning algorithm OCR capability with AutoRek’s Automated Reconciliations, Advanced Matching Workflow and Cash Application to their roster.
This will dramatically improve Working Capital results for companies and result in a reduced requirement for additional C&C resource. Indeed, labour savings of above 30% are not untypical after the introduction of the combined solution. It also means that growth issues, in terms of turnover, can be handled without an increase in labour requirements.
AutoRek is delighted with this partnership. It is creating considerable opportunities for AutoRek within the US market where the demand for a single vendor solution’ is high, while also offering more to existing customers.
Managing Director of AutoRek, Gordon McHarg says “AutoRek is excited to announce this strategic alliance with Cforia. Both companies are proven global leaders with multinational clients and use the same advanced technology stack. Most importantly however is that both share the same vision for improving working capital for our customers.
With this announcement, we will be jointly extending our global reach and offering companies an end-to-end solution from cash collection to cash application and cash reconciliation.”
Chris Caparon, CEO of Cforia Software added: “With the integrated release of the Cforia Cash Application and Bank Reconciliation Modules, Cforia.autonomy™ has extended our straight-through-processing capabilities for Zero-Touch Posting of EDI, EFT, ACH, PCI Compliant Credit Card, Direct Debit, Lock-Box and Cash payments. Customers will see immediate impacts in capacity, accuracy and key performance indicators while providing increased visibility, command and control of global working capital.”
With the combined knowledge, AutoRek and Cforia were able to come together to build a globally capable system which can provide solutions which solve the complex system challenges of today’s global enterprises.
Both AutoRek and Cforia are companies hugely familiar with multi-currency clients and multiple billing systems and reconcile millions of transactions daily over the UK and worldwide. For one of their clients, AutoRek reconciled 2.4 billion transactions in only 1 hour.
AutoRek and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce come together for free International Business Development working lunch
AutoRek, a global financial controls, regulatory reporting and data management platform, have announced that they’ll be hosting an International Business Development working lunch in collaboration with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce next month.
The aim of the event is to bring together a number of business leaders from Glasgow’s SME community to discuss the International Business challenges they face and will provide them with an opportunity to work together to overcome such challenges. As a business with roots in Glasgow, AutoRek is keen to offer advice to these businesses, as well as give them the chance to collaborate with like-minded professionals and tackle issues head-on.
Headquartered in Glasgow, with offices in London, Edinburgh and New York, AutoRek’s solutions are deployed globally. They deliver a range of financial, operational and regulatory reporting control solutions. They have supported implementations in many leading organisations with projects including high volume data migrations, elimination of spreadsheets and manual processing, regulatory reporting, mitigation of operational and regulatory risk, and reduction in fast close processes. This makes AutoRek well placed in their collaboration with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to assist these businesses in combating the challenges they face, Lyn Canavan (Head of Marketing) said:
“We have teamed up Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to host our first in a series of International Business Development working lunches. We believe that it presents a great opportunity for local business leaders to collaborate together sharing ideas and common challenges. We already have a good relationship with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and we are looking to build upon this partnership and expand globally.”
The event will be held between 11:30 and 14:00 on the 5th of March in AutoRek’s offices at the Garment Factory on Montrose Street. A huge plus for these businesses is that the event will be totally free to attend, offering an excellent opportunity to network with other Glasgow-based business professionals and SMEs looking to work on these common issues and expand internationally. With Brexit on the horizon, the impact of it on SMEs has been and is a growing concern. Recently, Barclays has announced that it will be hosting Brexit clinics’ in Scotland from March to support SMEs through Brexit, and, last week, Scotland’s finance secretary Derek Mackay told MSPs that the Scottish economy faces being pushed into a recession “worse than the 2008 financial crash” under a no-deal Brexit. With the loss of multi-million pounds worth of global trade contracts in such an event, it’s no surprise that Scottish SMEs are keen to prepare ahead of it.
AutoRek’s offices are located in the heart of Glasgow’s City Centre, just off of George Square and will be easily accessible for all attendees; just a 10-minute walk from Glasgow Central Station.
Are you interested in attending the International Business Development working lunch? You can sign up for the event on AutoRek’s website:
https://www.autorek.com/events/international-business-development-working-lunch/
FCA news – Tips to keep up to date with the regulator
I always pause for thought as I write an update on what’s happening at the FCA, thinking about how to summarise the essence of what I’ll cover and knowing I’m only focusing on a small sample of what’s going on there.
For those of you able to make it to last week’s FCA event you’ll have heard the team talk about the size of the FCA’s role and remit. Since coming back to work after the Christmas break I’ve found myself thinking about what to cover in my regular blogs, when there could be so much to highlight. So its with that thought in mind that I’m focusing the majority of my update on a couple of ways to keep up to date with what’s going on at the FCA and ending with a specific point relating to a consultation paper on cryptoassests.
Getting updates from the FCA
There are two communications that I’ve always found helpful and even more so since staring my role at FinTech Scotland.
The first is simply a weekly email that contains a summary of that weeks FCA news. Its a great way of seeing what the Regulator has published that week. It’s no more than one page (usually) and will include links to any consultation papers, policy papers, final notices, speeches etc. Its worth signing up for – try this link.
The second is the Regulation Round Up. Its published on a monthly basis, includes information that is relevant for all firms regardless of sector, size or business model. The January Edition can be accessed here and for those interested you can also sign up to receive the Regulation Round each month – regardless of whether or not you’re involved in an authorised or regulated business. Again – my view is – its worth signing up for!
As well as covering hot topics, the Regulation Round Up provides updates on ongoing FCA work, will often contain articles outlining the FCA’s view on an topic and will include relevant links to current consultations and other FCA papers that may be relevant to your business or future plans. It will also outline any FCA events that maybe relevant or useful for your business.
The January edition highlights that the FCA intends to carry out a survey of smaller firms on how FCA regulation specifically impacts them. This work will be completed by an independent consultancy – Kantar Public. If you’re contacted please support this initiative. Your feedback will be highly valuable.
It also mentions that the FCA will be holding two events in Edinburgh in March aimed at regulated firms working in general insurance or the retail investment market. You’ll find more detail through the January Edition link above as well as information on how to register for the events.
There is much more information in the round up and the final point I’ll reflect on here is that in this months edition it also covers the important topic of Preparing for Brexit!
Getting insight from the FCA
To help focus its work, the FCA has divided the financial system into seven sectors that it monitors on a continual basis. It develops a set of sector views that provide a way to bring its collective intelligence together and considers a wide range of factors that drive change across the financial system.
The sector views are published and made available on the FCA website and will also be used as the FCA shapes and develops its business plan – due later this year.
The latest set of sector views were published in January and can be accessed here
Consultation paper – Guidance on Cryptoassets
The FCA is consulting on Guidance on crypto assets. This work is to help businesses understand whether their crypto asset activities fall under regulation.
This consultation has the potential to apply to a wide range of businesses. If crypto assets is currently or may potentially to be part of your business in the future, or if you’re engaging or talking to consumers on this topic or marketing this type of product, please review this consultation and offer your feedback. Comments are required by Friday 5th of April and can be emailed to fcacrypto@fca.org.uk
As I sign out for now, a final reminder that the FCA’s project Innovate team is hosting an event in Edinburgh on the 31st of January. I look forward to seeing you there. Please come and say hello especially if we’ve not met yet.
All the best
Nicola
Latest news from the FCA
Analysis of a Sector
Consultation Paper
Speech
Helping build a broader understanding of the FCA across the Fintech community
Starting with a morning event on the 16th of January and working with the FCA team in Edinburgh. The session will explain the FCA’s approach to regulation with the team outlining the way the FCA works and share current priorities.
If you’re a Scottish fintech sign up here to register your interest for that event.
The saying goes time flies when your having fun. Since joining FinTech Scotland I’ve come to fully realise the absolute truth behind that expression. I can’t believe it’s been 9 weeks since I joined the team. It’s been a whirlwind of meet ups, introductions, meetings and discussions. On top of a few pre-Christmas get togethers and events!
I want to say a huge thank you for the support and collaboration you’ve shown me as I stepped into the wonderful world of FinTech Scotland. One thing is for sure – its a vibrant ecosystem that will continue to go from strength to strength because of the collaboration and drive of all involved and its a real privilege to be part of this.
The ambition across the community is immense. I think it ranges from driving efficiency, lowering costs and strengthening existing businesses through to more disruptive innovations seeking to build diversity, design unique products and drive consumer inclusion.
Whatever the ambition it’s likely there is a need to think about regulation – not perhaps the most exciting topic to raise in the run up to Christmas – but useful to note the event planned for January that aims to provide a solid insight into how the FCA operates.
The role of the regulator is broad and its worthwhile understanding its remit, how it works and how best to engage with, and navigate the organisation. The event on the 16th of January will help with this.
The FCA’s view on innovation is well documented. It is committed to supporting innovation in the interests of consumers. And the work the FCA does is focused on delivering better outcomes for the markets it regulates.
I look forward to working with you in 2019 and will welcome input and feedback on other subjects and topics that would be helpful to hear more about from a regulatory perspective. In the meantime I’ll look forward to seeing you on the 16th of January (if not before).
Wishing all a very FintechMas’ and Innovative New Year.
A journey through the FCA regulatory sandbox
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s regulatory sandbox has now been in place for two years, and has continued to draw in innovative firms keen to test their business models, products and services in the market.
The FinTech team in Deloitte’s EMEA Centre for Regulatory Strategy, in collaboration with Innovate Finance, interviewed several current and previous FCA sandbox participants to seek their views on their sandbox journeys.
The result is A journey through the FCA regulatory sandbox: the benefits, challenges, and next steps.
It highlights the key themes, challenges, unexpected benefits and broader observations that firms expressed in relation to their sandbox journey, including their views of what the FCA’s next steps should be.
The unequivocal message is that the FCA sandbox has delivered real value to firms. In particular, being accepted into the sandbox and proving the underlying technology in a live environment has helped firms to better understand and fine tune their business models. Many also believe that the sandbox journey increased their credibility with both investors and customers.
Yet, while the usefulness of the sandbox is undisputed, the report also highlights areas where there is still room for improvement.
Overall, this report should make compelling reading for anyone considering a sandbox application.
FCA consultations on Innovation PSD2
Article written by Nicola Anderson, Senior Manager Retail Banking Supervision at the FCA.
Nicola just joined FinTech Scotland on a 1 year secondment.
After a slightly delayed start I’m delighted to have arrived at Fintech Scotland and I’m looking forward to being part of the team there for the next year.
Thanks to Stephen, Mickael and Shery for making me feel so welcome and part of the team. I’ve been out and about most of the week, meeting stakeholders and learning about the work, the innovation, collaboration and general mood of optimism! I’m looking forward to more of the same over the coming weeks and hope to meet many of the Fintech businesses in the next few weeks.
One point of interest has come up this week that I wanted to mention. I’m sure you’re already aware that the FCA has published a couple of consultation papers relevant to Fintech, Innovation and PSD2. Both papers are still open for views or responses, and links to both are attached below. The FCA welcomes input and perspective from interested parties and in particular those with experience on the subject. Through gathering views, next steps and further direction can be shaped in an informed and useful way. You can feed back directly on some or all of the questions posed in each paper.
PSD 2 consultation paper – closes on 12th October. The paper is focuses on:
1. The Regulatory Technical Standards for strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of communication (SCA-RTS).
2. Domestic implementation before the EBA exemption guidelines are finalised
3. New fraud reporting requirements that will affect the data collected and reported by all PSPs
In addition the FCA is taking the opportunity to update its Payment Services and E-Money Approach Document guidance to reflect other legislative changes and clarify existing expectations based on experience of the regime (eg, of processing applications) since September 2017. These proposed amendments and additions are in Annex 3 of this consultation paper
Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN) – deadline for responses is 14 October.
https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/consultation/gfin-consultation-document.pdf
This consultation sets out three main functions of the GFIN:
1. Act as a network of regulators to collaborate and share experience of innovation in respective markets, including emerging technologies and business models:
2. Provide a forum for joint policy work and discussions; and
3. Provide firms with an environment in which to trial cross-boarder solutions.
As part of consultation the FCA is seeking views on the mission statement for GFIN, its proposed functions, and where it should prioritise activity.
Do contribute to both or one of the consultations if you can and think it’s relevant to your business.
Best
Nicola