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Corporate treasurers undertake a range of risk, strategic and/or general financial management activities that enable companies to maintain or improve/maximise their financial position.

Corporate treasurers are employed by major/multinational companies operating within a range of industries including retail, telecommunications and manufacturing. Their aim is to ensure the financial success of these companies by managing their money and financial risks. Typical responsibilities of the job comprise:

• assessing, reviewing and protecting company financial wellbeing

• ensuring cash flow is adequate

• handling daily cash balances and the money market

• ensuring that proposed projects are likely to be beneficial

• managing major projects such as company refinancing

• assessing the likely impact of problems such as late payments, limited cash flow etc

• making decisions about company funding options, insurance contracts and other financial issues

• carrying out risk management activities

• liaising with company investors, bankers and senior managers

• negotiating and evaluating overdrafts and loans with bankers

• maintaining records

• recruiting, training and supervising junior staff

• attending board meetings

• making company board presentations

• keeping up-to-date with developments within the profession/industry.

Qualifications and training required

There are routes into a career in corporate treasury for both university graduates and school leavers, although it is generally more common and easier for graduates to work in this role. Graduates should have either a degree in accountancy, finance, economics, banking or business studies, or any other degree plus a year’s treasury work experience.

Key skills for corporate treasurers

Employers look for adaptable graduates with good IT, analytical, interpersonal, numerical, time management and verbal/written communication skills. Familiarity with how the money markets operate and the work of corporate treasury departments is advantageous. As corporate treasurers can be dealing with substantial sums of money, the role can generate a lot of pressure.