What is a treasurer?

A strategic role in the management of financial flows A treasurer is a financial professional responsible for managing a company's financial flows. Their role is strategic, as they oversee liquidity, cash flow optimization, and financial risk management (exchange rates, interest rates, investments). They develop cash flow forecasts, optimize operational financing, and ensure the company has the resources it needs to operate.

Where does a treasurer work?

Companies : In large companies, SMEs and startups, he manages cash flow, optimizes financial flows and secures financing.

Banks and Financial Institutions : Oversees liquidity, risk management and investments to ensure the financial stability of the institution.

Local authorities : It manages public budgets, optimizes financing and ensures the proper use of public funds.

Associations and NGOs : It ensures the proper management of grants, donations and expenses to guarantee the financial sustainability of the organization.

Large institutions (public bodies, multinationals, international organizations) : He manages treasury on a large scale, integrating international issues such as currency fluctuations and investment fund management.
 

What are the duties of a treasurer?

Cash and liquidity management

This is the treasurer's primary mission. They ensure that the company always has the necessary funds to cover its expenses and optimize the use of its financial resources. This involves tracking receipts and disbursements, managing cash flows, optimizing bank balances, and implementing forecasting tools to anticipate short- and medium-term financial needs.

Financial risk monitoring and investment optimization

The treasurer implements hedging strategies to limit the impact of these risks on the company.

At the same time, it optimizes financial investments of excess cash by choosing secure and profitable investments, based on liquidity needs and market opportunities.

Relations with banks and financing management

The treasurer is responsible for securing lines of credit, structuring loans, and optimizing 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 flow forecasting

The treasurer is responsible for financial reporting by providing regular reports on the company's cash position and financial flows. These reports enable management to make informed decisions about cash requirements and financing strategies. They also prepare cash flow forecasts, anticipating cash inflows and outflows over different periods, to ensure the company has the necessary funds to meet its short- and medium-term obligations.
 

Qualities and skills needed to be a good treasurer

Excellent analytical and financial skills

The treasurer must be able to process, interpret, and analyze complex financial data to assess the company's financial health. This includes the ability to identify trends, forecast cash flow needs, and anticipate financial risks. A strong understanding of financial instruments, markets, and financial regulations is essential to optimize liquidity, investment, and financing management.

Proficiency in cash management tools and financial software

Mastery of treasury management tools and financial software is essential for a treasurer. They must be comfortable using tools such as treasury management systems (TMS), financial dashboards, and cash flow forecasting solutions. They also use accounting and financial management software to perform bank reconciliations, analyze cash flows, and optimize investments. Knowledge of tools such as SAP, Oracle Financials, Kyriba, or TreasuryXpress is often required for smooth and accurate management of the company's finances.

Rigor, anticipation and ability to manage stress

Treasurers must be rigorous in the daily management of financial flows, ensuring that all transactions are accurate, compliant, and well-documented. Anticipation is also crucial for forecasting future cash flow needs and avoiding liquidity shortages. Finally, the ability to manage stress is essential, particularly during periods of high financial market volatility or economic crises, in order to make informed decisions under pressure and ensure the company's financial stability.

Negotiation skills and interpersonal skills

The treasurer must negotiate interest rates, lines of credit, and financial contracts in the best interest of the company. In addition, interpersonal skills are essential for building strong relationships with financial institutions, external partners, and internal teams, 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 organization's financial strategy

By managing cash flow, financing, financial risks, and investments, the treasurer directly contributes to the company's sustainability and growth. Their ability to anticipate financial needs, optimize liquidity management, and negotiate favorable financing terms supports the organization's long-term strategic objectives while ensuring its day-to-day financial stability.

A wide variety of missions depending on the sector of activity

In the industrial sector, treasurers often focus on long-term investment management and cash flow planning based on production cycles. In the financial sector, treasurers may specialize in market risk management and hedging. For public authorities or non-profit organizations, this primarily involves managing grants and ensuring regulatory compliance. In startups, treasurers can play a key role in securing external financing and managing rapid growth. Thus, treasurer responsibilities adapt to the specific needs of the sector while remaining focused on financial resource management.

Growing demand for treasury management experts

Businesses face increasingly complex economic environments, with fluctuating interest rates, currency risks, and pressures on profitability. Treasurers play a key role in optimizing liquidity, managing financial risks, and anticipating financing needs, which is essential to ensuring the organization's sustainability and growth. Treasury management skills are particularly sought after in sectors such as finance, technology, and international organizations, as well as in growing SMEs seeking to optimize their resources.

Numerous opportunities for development and internationalization

Due to the strategic nature of treasury management, professionals in this field can advance to positions as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or Chief Administrative and Financial Officer (CFO). Additionally, those with expertise in financial risk management, international financing, and treasury optimization may be given responsibilities within multinational groups or international subsidiaries. These roles expand their scope of action, managing global treasury, overseeing cross-border operations, and collaborating with financial partners worldwide.
 

Treasurer: salary and career development

What is the average salary of a treasurer?

A treasurer's salary varies depending on experience, company size, and industry:

• Young 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 annually.
• 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, Treasury Manager or Treasury Director positions can reach salaries in excess of €150,000 per year, including performance-related bonuses and benefits.

Prospects for advancement to financial management positions

• Treasury Manager : supervision of all financial flows and treasury strategies of a company or group.
• Treasury Director : overall management of treasury at national or international level, in conjunction with the financial department.
• Administrative and Financial Director (DAF ): expansion of responsibilities to accounting, management control and taxation.
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO ): strategic position involving the overall management of finances and the definition of the company's financial directions.
   

Possible specializations

• International Treasurer : management of financial flows on a global scale, optimization of foreign exchange transactions, and supervision of the treasuries of subsidiaries abroad.
• Financial risk management : identifying and hedging risks related to exchange rates, interest rates, and financial markets. Using financial instruments such as derivatives to secure company finances.
• Corporate financing : structuring loans, negotiating lines of credit and finding financing solutions adapted to the company's development projects (fundraising, bond issues, etc.).
   

What studies do you need to become a treasurer?

Recommended training and qualifications (Bac+5 in finance, accounting, management)

• Business schools with a specialization in corporate finance or risk management.
• University Masters in Finance, Financial Management and Accounting or Banking and Financial Markets.
• MBA in finance to access management positions and progress towards strategic functions.
• Professional certifications: the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) or the Diplôme d'Analyse Financière (CFA) are assets to strengthen your expertise in treasury management and corporate finance.
   

The importance of certifications and specializations (AMF, CTP, CFA, DSCG)

AMF (Financial Markets Authority) certification : essential for working in market finance and risk management.

Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) : international certification that attests to advanced expertise in treasury management, finance and risk.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) : a benchmark in financial analysis, ideal for those wishing to progress towards strategic positions in investment and risk management.

Higher Diploma in Accounting and Management (DSCG) : allows you to deepen your knowledge of accounting, finance and law, facilitating progression to CFO or DAF positions.
 

Professional experience and skills development in corporate finance

First positions (Junior / Treasury Analyst) : after a degree in finance or accounting, a young graduate often starts as a treasury analyst, treasurer's assistant or management controller, which allows them to acquire initial experience in financial flow management and cash flow forecasting.

Skills development (Confirmed Treasurer) : after a few years, he takes on more strategic missions such as financing management, liquidity optimization and financial risk reduction.

Positions of responsibility (Treasury Manager / Director) : with 7 to 10 years of experience, a treasurer can progress to a Treasury Manager position, leading a team and defining the company's financial strategy.

Progression to financial management (DAF / CFO) : by supplementing his expertise with an MBA, a certification (CFA, CTP) or a specialization in risk management, he can access positions of Administrative and Financial Director (DAF) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO).