Corporate treasury is an area of finance that has seen increased growth in recent years, due in large part to the increasingly complex global landscape of finance. Previously, corporate treasury management was housed within accounting departments, but recently it has become its own specialty, with many companies creating a separate corporate treasury department. As the corporate treasury role has evolved, so have the responsibilities, necessary skills, and potential career path of the role.
Responsibilities of a Corporate Treasurer
A corporate treasurer acts as the financial risk manager for a company, which requires avoiding or mitigating the impact of financial risks on a company’s value. The most common risks that a corporate treasurer must be aware of include liquidity, credit, currency, interest rate, and operational risks. Once a corporate treasurer discovers and understands the financial risks of the company, he or she creates policies to help manage the risks.
If a company has a corporate treasury department it will typically consist of a corporate treasury manager, who is supported by a treasury accountant, cash manager, treasury analyst, and dealer. The corporate treasury manager is typically part of the senior management and will report either directly to the Board of Directors or to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Career Path
Many current corporate treasurers began as accountants. This is due in large part to the fact that corporate treasury departments used to be part of accounting departments. Those already in these accountant departments began working on the corporate treasurer responsibilities as part of their accounting roles. As corporate treasury management became its own separate and distinct department, those accountants often moved over to corporate treasury. Individuals looking to break into corporate treasury will likely not be able to take the same route, but instead must gain experience in many different fields before being able to attain a role in corporate treasury.
Skills and Compensation
Financial risks can come from many different places, so a position in corporate treasury requires a solid understanding of all areas of the company. A corporate treasurer must have a deep understanding of risk management and accounting, while also having a general understanding of the law, tax, insurance, banking, economics, and accounting. Corporate treasurers must work with senior management, colleagues, and external consultants. This high level of interaction with individuals in a wide range of fields requires a corporate treasurer to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Education
Corporate treasury requires a broad financial education. In order to pursue a career as a corporate treasurer, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s, ideally in either accounting, but other related degrees such as finance or even business may also work. Many firms also require a CPA and/or a master’s degree. There are also certified treasury professional certifications that are earned through The Association for Financial Professionals. Though a career in corporate treasury requires more experience and education than many other financial positions, the lucrative pay may make this worth it. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a corporate treasurer is $210,037.
Is Corporate Treasury Right For You?
Corporate treasury requires extensive experience, a deep understanding of many financial and business topics, and excellent accounting skills. Though certainly not for everyone, if you enjoy working with numbers and are looking for a challenging and lucrative career, corporate treasury can be an incredibly rewarding option.
About The New York Institute of Finance
The New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) is a global leader in professional training for financial services and related industries. NYIF courses cover everything from investment banking, asset pricing, insurance and market structure to financial modeling, treasury operations, and accounting. The New York Institute of Finance has a faculty of industry leaders and offers a range of program delivery options, including self-study, online courses, and in-person classes. Founded by the New York Stock Exchange in 1922, NYIF has trained over 250,000 professionals online and in-class, in over 120 countries.
See all of NYIF’s training and qualifications here.
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