A treasury is either a finance ministry or a government agency that handles taxation and national finances. This is a location or place where treasure, like precious metals and currencies, are stored. These can be royal or state property, religious treasure or in private valuables. The head of a treasury is commonly referred to as the treasurer.
Treasury involves managing the financial assets and risks of a company. Its main goal is to ensure the company has the cash it needs to fund its day-to-day operations, while also assisting to develop its long-term financial policies and strategies.
The Department of the Treasury maintains and operates systems that are crucial to the nation’s economy like the borrowing of money needed to run the federal government, revenue collection, making of banknotes and coins, and disbursing of currency to the public.
Treasury Career Overview
Treasury jobs involve making sure that financial assets and liabilities in a company are properly accounted for and managed. The main objective is to ensure money is made available for day-to-day operations, while also having a clear picture of the financial future of the business. The treasury career route can be a very captivating and beneficial component of in-house corporate finance.
Treasury Career Personality
The personality of someone who has the potential of being successful in a treasury management role in a company often includes the following traits:
– Good communicator
– Good at managing risk
– Confidence-inspiring
– Persuasive when dealing with others
– Attention to detail
Interview Preparation
Preparing for a treasury job interview requires a good grasp of technical accounting and finance topics. With regard to technical interview questions, you may be asked numerous macroeconomic questions related to derivatives (like forwards, futures, and options), foreign exchange rates (FX), as well as current interest rates. Questions like, “How would you handle foreign exchange exposure in our company?” are very common.
For a comprehensive list of treasury job interview questions and answers, please check out our treasury interview form.
Treasury Career Entry Point
Many people begin their treasury careers by being promoted internally from an accounting position in a company or transitioning from the banking or accounting sector. They can move up to being directors, managers, and eventually treasurers. It can take anywhere from 2 to 5 years to move up the ranks, depending on your dedication and commitment.
Treasury Career Exit Strategy
Most individuals choose to remain in the corporate world once they become treasurers. Career progress can involve either being promoted internally or moving to another company. You could be promoted all the away to CFO, VP of corporate development, VP of finance, Company Treasurer, or Vice President of treasury.
Compensation
Analyst: $50,000 to $80,000 (base salary and bonuses)
Manager: $80,000 to $120,000 (base salary and bonuses)
VP /Director: $120,000 to $300,000.
Course Work
Taking financial assessment courses is the quickest way to learn what’s needed for the job before going for an interview.
It’s essential to start with a strong understanding of reading financial statements and other accounting fundamentals. Moreover, you should have a solid understanding of spreadsheet programs like Excel, and know how to use functions, formulas and shortcuts in these programs. After this, you can move on to more sophisticated courses, which will teach you financial modelling and valuation.