Corporate treasury was once considered a branch of accounting. But it is now believed to be a specialized field with its own unique career paths. Corporate treasurers are essentially processors: they need to analyze financial information and make informed decisions that affect the firm's bottom line. Learn more about what corporate treasurers do and how to become one.
Key Takeaways
- A corporate treasurer is responsible for managing the finances of a company.
- Job duties of a corporate treasurer may include analyzing risks of investments and participating in business planning.
- Common qualities a corporate treasurer must have include: investment management, organizational leadership, and technical accounting knowledge.
- Corporate treasurers may report to chief financial officers in larger firms.
Corporate Treasurer Skills and Qualifications
Treasurers aren't just bookkeepers. They are financial decision-makers who shoulder significant responsibility for a company's finances. They are supervisors and advisors at the same time. They sometimes act🍒 as financial planners for the entire company, especially when there is investment capital involved.
Treasurers need to demonstrate many different competencies, such as investment management, organizational leadership, and technical accounting knowle𒊎dge. A company treasurer is a unique role, but one that modern mid-size and large companies often need.
A treasurer often needs to brief different levels of management about new policies. This requires interpersonal skills and working c🅷ollaboratively with junior and senior staff.
Job Description of a Corporate Treasurer
A company treasurer generally handles investments and any associated risks. Some participate in all short- and long-term business planning, including 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:merger🦩s and acquisitio⛦ns (M&A) activity.
The treasurer is a crucial, though 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:sometimes challenging, position. Corporate treasurers are responsible for identifying and managing risks a🍌nd developing policies, but they must also ensure that acco🌌untants and other specialists follow those policies and mitigate those risks.
Historically a technical and analytical role, the company treasurer is increasingly strategic in decision-making. Today's treasurers need to understand 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:macroeconomics, business methods, and risk avoidance.
In a larger company, the treasurer works closely with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:chief financial officer (CFO) and other key analysts. They may consult with attorneys or compliance officers on financial matters.
$140,000 to $259,000
The annual salary range for corporate treasurers, according to Glassdoor. This includes a base pay of $94,000 to $174,000 and an additional compensation range of $45,000 to $85,000.
What Is the Car🌳eer Path of a Corporate Treasurer?
The path to control of the treasury begins with a bachelor's degree. Even the most entry-level treasurer positions require bachelor's degrees, and it's best to major in a field such as accounting, economics, finance, or business administration. Some colleges and universities participate in the Corporate Treasury Management program.
From there, it's best to get work experience in the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:financial sector. Those with Corporate Treasury Management backgrounds will automatically be enrolled in the Association for Financial Professionals, which comes with particular opportunities. Others can work public or private sectorꦡ jobs🥃 in accounting, analysis, or fields with an investment focus.
Some may pursue professional certification, including the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:c🔯ertified treasury prof🦋essional (CTP) and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:chartered financial analyst (CFA) certifications. These are rarely required for a position, but they look good on a resume. Treasurers come from a wide range of backgrounds, but an easily recognizable certification like CTP or CFA should help increase your chances of getting a job in this field.
Advancement opportunities in finance and accounting professions are best for individuals with graduate degrees, particularly the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:master of business administrationﷺ (MBA).
Important
Treasurers need a blend of technical expertise and management skills. Most work in some management capacity before reaching higher treasurer positions, even if it's simply as senior accountants or team leaders.
Downsides To Consider in Corporate Treasury
Some corporate treasurers hope to become part of the executive staff (and executive compensation), particularly as finance directors or CFOs. A lot of financial experts find themselves anchored into treasury positions, especially if the company doesn't feel comfortable putting them in front of clients or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:shareholders.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Managing directors and board chairs want to see cross-functional management experience since the top-level finance positions have to oversee many different teams across many departments. Ambitious treasurers should also focus on soft skills like communication and ﷺleadership as they develop in their careers.
What Is a Chief Financial Officer?
A chief financial officer is a senior executive who is responsible for financial planning, cash flow, and other aspects of a company's finances. They can recommend the best strategies for achieving growth after analyzing a firm's strengths and weaknesses. A corporate treasurer often reports to a CFO.
What Is Asset Liability Management?
A corporate treasurer is often responsible for 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:asset liability management. This is managing assets and cash flows to reduce a company's risk to prevent or minimize losses. Asset liability management focuses on timing cash flows to cover liabilities in a way to maximize profits.
How Do I Get an MBA?
A master's of business administration is an advanced degree that can be helpful for a career as a corporate treasurer. You can pursue either a part-time or a full-time degree. Candidates often get a job followed by some work experience before they earn their MBA. Employers may sponsor an employee's MBA degree.
What Is the Salary Range for a Corporate Treasurer?
According to Glassdoor, the annual salary range for a corporate treasurer in the United States is $140,000 to $259,000. These figures include the base and additional pay for this position.
While the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have a separate category for corporate treasurers in its Occupational Handbook, it does include this position under financial managers. It reported $156,100 as the median pay for this category in 2023. The BLS expects the job outlook for financial managers to grow by 17% between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than average.
The Bottom Line
A corporate treasurer can be an ideal career path for people who enjoy working with numbers and analyzing risk. Getting a bachelor's degree in economics, finance, or a math-related field will provide a good foundation to enter this profession. Weigh the pros and cons of this job before deciding whether it's one you want to pursue.