Optimizing Accounts Payable Functions November 26 & 27, 2008 Toronto

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Conference Agenda

Session 3:

9:00-9:45 - Panel Discussion: Vendor Master File Management Best Practices
Anne Michaud, Manager Accounts of Payable, Norbord Inc. Ann Schwemler, Vice-President, Business Process Outsourcing, Capgemini Canada Deborah Rodrigo, Managing Director, Finance & Administration, Grant Thornton LLP Ankur Parmar, Canada Country Head, BPO, Infosys Technologies Limited

With takeovers and mergers regular features of the Canadian business landscape, accounts payable departments' vendor files can become hopelessly outdated or simply too large to be easily managed as the business changes occur. Unless you are able to manage your vendor file effectively, it can become a bank of inaccurate or duplicate names. Optimizing vendor master file management has a direct positive impact on the efficiency of accounts payable functions. This panel discussion will highlight some of the benefits of implementing vendor file management best practices, including:

? Implementing vendor setup procedures that are straightforward
? Putting into place approval practices for new vendors
? Establishing separate management of one-time vendors
? Validating data and retaining proper records
? Reducing the likelihood of systems control failure



9:45-10:30 - Capitalizing On The Expense and Internal Control Benefits of Corporate P-Cards
Deborah Rodrigo, Managing Director, Finance & Administration, Grant Thornton LLP

Corporate P-cards rank among the most cost-effective methods for simplifying and streamlining expense management processes for accounts payable professionals as well as for purchasing and paying for materials and services. They also contribute to the enhancement of internal controls. By enabling customers to place orders directly with suppliers without involving purchasing or accounts payable personnel, p-cards can shave procurement-to-payment process costs by as much as 75%. This session will feature:

? Understanding and implementing corporate p-cards
? Reducing payment processing costs
? Enhancing internal control
? Providing a complete audit trail for all purchases made
? Supporting SOX compliance
? Fostering supply chain management goals



10:30-11:00 NETWORKING BREAK

10:30-11:00 - 


11:00-11:45 - Outsourcing the AP Function
Ankur Parmar, Canada Country Head, BPO, Infosys Technologies Limited

Many companies are choosing to outsource the accounts payable function given current vendor maturity levels, experience in outsourcing this function and the significant cost savings potential that can be generated. This session will look a number of critical factors and issues that need to be considered when evaluating whether or not to outsource the accounts payable function, and how to plan if a decision is made to proceed with the outsourcing option.

? Offshore vs. onshore vs. rightshore (the benefits and disadvantages)
? Deciding whether or not to outsource
? Issues associated with outsourcing
? Top outsourcing locations
? Best practices



11:45-12:30 - Shared Services: Centralizing and Streamlining AP
Ann Schwemler, Vice-President, Business Process Outsourcing, Capgemini Canada

The move to shared services can be an effective way for companies to control costs, eliminate redundancies and operate more efficiently. However, it requires careful planning to ensure success. This session will identify best practices to ensure a smooth transition to shared services.

? Benefits of shared services
? How to conduct a cost/benefit analysis to help decide whether to move to shared services
? Developing performance metrics
? How to standardize processes
? Avoiding pitfalls



12:30-1:30 Lunch