Corporate treasurer : Entry requirements

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1. Job description
2. Salary and conditions
3. Entry requirements
4. Training
5. Career development
6. Employers and vacancy …
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Case studies

• Corporate treasurer: Kris
• Treasury analyst: Jamie

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The ACT is the leading professional body for international treasury providing the widest scope of benchmark qualifications for those working in treasury, risk and corporate finance. We define standards, promote best practice and support continuing professional development. Get careers advice from the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).

This area of work is open to graduates from most academic backgrounds, but business or finance-related degrees are most relevant. The following might be useful:

• accountancy; 
• economics;
• mathematics; 
• finance;
• business studies.

Entry with an HND/foundation degree alone is unlikely.

Corporate treasurers, and other financial professionals, who require knowledge of treasury management (for example, accountants or public sector financiers) take examinations administered by The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) .

The key ACT professional qualifications are the AMCT Diploma in Treasury, which provides associate membership and the MCT Advanced Diploma in Treasury, Risk and Corporate Finance, although they offer other qualifications such as a Certificate in International Treasury Management (CertITM). Employers may provide funding and time off to study for these examinations. Working towards professional qualifications as soon as possible may be helpful to career development.

Many entrants to the profession are already qualified accountants. There are relatively few opportunities for new graduates to enter directly into a corporate treasury department, though numbers are rising as the financing requirements of companies become increasingly complex. Most aspiring treasurers will join as graduate recruits in the finance divisions of medium to large companies and multinationals where the training programme may include placements across several specialised functions; for example, financial and management accounting, taxation, financial reporting, audit, as well as treasury. A good example is the training programme offered by Tesco Finance Careers , where graduates may expect to progress from working as treasury assistants to treasury analyst and treasury manager roles.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• strong interpersonal and communication skills, for liaising with senior management, operational staff, and company bankers and investors;
• strong numeracy, analytical skills and IT literacy;
• an interest in the financial markets and how they operate;
• excellent attention to detail and accuracy, for dealing with company funds and managing substantial contracts and capital projects. 

Entry is competitive due to the limited number of direct-entry graduate training roles. Evidence of relevant work experience will enhance job applications, as it is important to be familiar with the nature and demands of the job. Specialist financial recruitment agencies can be a source of permanent and temporary opportunities. The ACT may be able to help with contacts for work shadowing or research. Join the ACT and start networking early on to build up contacts.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.