​ledger – without relying on an intermediary or any one authority.

Another key feature of blockchain technology is a “smart contract,” which is a self-executing protocol that enforces a previously agreed arrangement. For example, a smart contract could trigger an automatic refund under certain conditions or the automatic payment of an agreed commission after a sale. These smart contracts can eliminate delays in traditional Finance processes, while increasing transparency and reducing reliance on middlemen to follow through on their commitments. Moreover, like other parts of a blockchain, smart contracts are immutable, so they can enhance accuracy in the financial statements.

   Based on the participants, blockchains are categorised as Public, Private and Hybrid. Public blockchain provides wide – open access, anyone can become a node and participate in the blockchain. Bitcoin is a prime example of a public blockchain. Private blockchain on the other hand allows limited access to specific users, such as a group of banks, through a permissions based private network. Anyone outside of the private blockchain cannot see or participate in blockchain transactions. Hybrid blockchain relates to the emerging concept of sidechain, which allows for different blockchains (public or private) to communicate with each other, enabling transactions between participants across blockchain networks.

Blockchain can increase financial efficiency by reducing manual manipulation. In intercompany transactions, blockchain will create one version of the ledger allowing intercompany transparency and settlement at the same instant. This will allow Finance to focus more towards value creation activities. The use of smart contracts will enhance governance and compliance of intercompany transactions.

The advantage of one single database is that it holds all the transactions, allowing to trace transactions, supporting documentation and reconcile accounting entries. Reconciliations between departments and subsidiaries will become almost at the same instant while ensuring transparency across all the interested parties.

Due to the immutable digital ledger that blockchain technology provides, the Triple Entry Accounting concept can apply where all accounting entries involving outside parties are cryptographically sealed and linked through a smart contract to a third entry.

Many companies have moved beyond simple experimentation into proof of concept (PoC) and use case development. A small but rapidly growing number have even started to move blockchain solutions into production. For example, the Australia Stock Exchange is moving forward with a blockchain based solution to replace its current post settlement process, while WeBank in China is implementing a production blockchain system to provide syndicated lending capabilities; the solution is currently being used by three mid-tier banks.

There is no doubt that blockchain makes for an exciting value proposition. Blockchain has the potential to transform banking and if banking systems were to be rewritten today they would be based on blockchain.