Treasurer: a key player in the financial management of companies and institutions
What should you study to become a treasurer?
A strategic role in managing financial flows
A treasurer is a finance professional responsible for managing a company's financial flows. Their role is strategic, because they look after liquidity, cash optimisation and the management of financial risks (exchange rates, interest rates, investments). They draw up cash forecasts, optimise the financing of operations and make sure that the company has the resources it needs to operate.
Where does a treasurer work?
Companies: in large companies, SMEs and start-ups, they manage cash, optimise financial flows and secure financing.
Banks and financial institutions: they oversee liquidity, risk management and investments to ensure the institution's financial stability.
Local authorities : they manage public budgets, optimise financing and ensure that public funds are used properly.
Associations and NGOs: they ensure the proper management of grants, donations and expenditure to guarantee the organisation's financial sustainability.
Large institutions (public bodies, multinationals, international organisations) : they steer cash management on a large scale, taking into account international issues such as currency fluctuations and the management of investment funds.
What are the duties of a treasurer?
Managing cash and liquidity
This is the treasurer's main duty. They make sure that the company always has the funds needed to cover its expenses and optimise the use of its financial resources. This involves monitoring receipts and payments, managing cash flows, optimising bank balances and putting in place forecasting tools to anticipate financial needs in the short and medium term.
Monitoring financial risks and optimising investments
The treasurer puts in place hedging strategies to limit the impact of these risks on the company.
At the same time, they optimise the investment of surplus cash by choosing investments that are secure and profitable, according to liquidity needs and market opportunities.
Relations with banks and management of financing
The treasurer is responsible for obtaining credit lines, structuring loans and optimising the cost of capital to ensure the company's solvency. They also ensure the compliance of banking operations and the proper management of financial contracts.
Financial reporting and cash forecasts
The treasurer is responsible for financial reporting, providing regular reports on the cash position and the company's financial flows. These reports allow senior management to make informed decisions about liquidity needs and financing strategies. They also draw up cash forecasts, anticipating inflows and outflows of money over different periods, in order to ensure that the company has the funds needed to meet its obligations in the short and medium term.
Qualities and skills needed to be a good treasurer
Excellent analytical and financial skills
The treasurer must be able to process, interpret and analyse complex financial data to assess the company's financial health. This includes the ability to identify trends, forecast cash requirements and anticipate financial risks. A strong understanding of financial instruments, markets and financial regulations is essential for optimising the management of liquidity, investments and financing.
Command of cash management tools and financial software
Mastery of cash management tools and financial software is essential for a treasurer. They must be comfortable with tools such as treasury management systems (TMS), financial dashboards and cash forecasting solutions. They also use accounting and financial management software to carry out bank reconciliations, analyse cash flows and optimise investments. Knowledge of tools such as SAP, Oracle Financials, Kyriba or TreasuryXpress is often required for the smooth and accurate management of corporate finance.
Rigour, anticipation and the ability to handle stress
The treasurer must show rigour in the day-to-day management of financial flows, making sure that all transactions are accurate, compliant and well documented. Anticipation is also crucial for forecasting future cash requirements and avoiding any shortage of liquidity. Finally, the ability to handle stress is indispensable, particularly in periods of high volatility in the financial markets or in the event of economic crises, in order to make informed decisions under pressure and ensure the company's financial stability.
Negotiation skills and interpersonal ease
The treasurer must negotiate interest rates, credit lines and financial contracts in the company's interest. In addition, interpersonal ease is essential for establishing strong relationships with financial institutions, external partners and internal teams, by facilitating communication and cultivating lasting partnerships to ensure optimal management of financial resources.
What are the advantages of being a treasurer?
A central position in an organisation's financial strategy
By managing cash flows, financing, financial risks and investments, the treasurer contributes directly to the sustainability and growth of the company. Their ability to anticipate financial needs, optimise liquidity management and negotiate favourable financing terms helps to support the organisation's long-term strategic objectives while ensuring its day-to-day financial stability.
A great diversity of duties depending on the sector of activity
In the industrial sector, the treasurer often focuses on managing long-term investments and planning cash according to production cycles. In the financial sector, the treasurer may specialise in managing market risks and hedging operations. For local authorities or non-profit organisations, it is mainly a matter of managing grants and ensuring regulatory compliance. In start-ups, they can play a key role in seeking external financing and managing rapid growth. The treasurer's duties thus adapt to the specific needs of the sector, while remaining focused on managing financial resources.
Growing demand for cash management experts
Companies are facing increasingly complex economic environments, with fluctuating interest rates, currency risks and pressure on profitability. Treasurers play a key role in optimising liquidity, managing financial risks and anticipating financing needs, which is essential to guarantee the organisation's sustainability and growth. Cash management skills are particularly sought after in sectors such as finance, technology and international organisations, but also in fast-expanding SMEs looking to optimise their resources.
Many opportunities for progression and international work
Because of the strategic nature of cash management, professionals in this field can progress to positions such as Finance Director or Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In addition, those who have gained expertise in financial risk management, international financing and cash optimisation can be given responsibilities within multinational groups or in international subsidiaries. These roles broaden their scope of action, managing global cash, overseeing cross-border operations and collaborating with financial partners worldwide.
Treasurer: salary and career progression
What is the average salary of a treasurer?
A treasurer's salary varies according to their experience, the size of the company and the sector of activity:
- Recent graduate / Junior (0-3 years of experience): between €35,000 and €50,000 gross per year.
- Experienced treasurer (3-7 years of experience): between €50,000 and €80,000 gross per year.
- Senior treasurer (more than 7 years of experience): between €80,000 and €120,000, or even more in large companies or international groups.
In large groups, Head of Treasury or Treasury Director positions can reach salaries in excess of €150,000 a year, notably with performance-related bonuses and benefits.
Prospects of progressing to financial management positions
- Head of Treasury : overseeing all of a company's or group's financial flows and cash strategies.
- Treasury Director: overall management of cash at national or international level, in liaison with the finance department.
- Finance Director (DAF): broadening of responsibilities to accounting, management control and taxation.
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) : a strategic position involving the overall management of finances and the setting of the company's financial direction.
Possible specialisations
- International treasurer: managing financial flows on a global scale, optimising foreign exchange operations, and overseeing the treasuries of overseas subsidiaries.
- Financial risk management : identifying and hedging risks linked to exchange rates, interest rates and financial markets. Using financial instruments such as derivatives to secure the company's finances.
- Corporate financing: structuring loans, negotiating credit lines and finding financing solutions suited to the company's development projects (fundraising, bond issues, etc.).
What should you study to become a treasurer?
Recommended programmes and qualifications (Bac+5 in finance, accounting, management)
- Business schools with a specialisation in corporate finance or risk management.
- University masters in finance, financial management and accounting or banking and financial markets.
- MBAs in finance to access senior management positions and move into strategic roles.
- Professional certifications: the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) or the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) are assets for strengthening your expertise in cash management and corporate finance.
The importance of certifications and specialisations (AMF, CTP, CFA, DSCG)
AMF certification (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) : essential for working in market finance and risk management.
Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) : an international certification that attests to advanced expertise in cash management, finance and risk.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): the benchmark in financial analysis, ideal for those who want to move into strategic positions in investment and risk management.
Diplôme Supérieur de Comptabilité et de Gestion (DSCG) : makes it possible to deepen your knowledge of accounting, finance and law, facilitating progression to Finance Director (DAF) or CFO positions.
Professional experience and skills development in corporate finance
First positions (Junior / Treasury Analyst): after a degree in finance or accounting, a recent graduate often starts out as a treasury analyst, assistant treasurer or management controller, which provides a first experience in managing financial flows and cash forecasts.
Skills development (Experienced treasurer) : after a few years, they take on more strategic duties such as managing financing, optimising liquidity and reducing financial risks.
Positions of responsibility (Head / Director of Treasury) : with 7 to 10 years of experience, a treasurer can progress to a Head of Treasury position, leading a team and defining the company's financial strategy.
Progression to financial management (DAF / CFO): by complementing their expertise with an MBA, a certification (CFA, CTP) or a specialisation in risk management, they can move into positions of Finance Director (DAF) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO).