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Corporate treasurer

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Corporate treasurers shape a company's financial strategy by managing cash flow, funding, investments and financial risk

As a corporate treasurer, you'll play a vital role in the financial health and success of a business. You could be responsible for:

  • advising on investment opportunities
  • arranging and managing funding
  • determining financial strategy and policy
  • managing financial risks across an organisation.

This is a varied and responsible role that ensures a company has the capital to meet its obligations. You'll manage liquidity, secure funding and help the organisation respond to financial challenges and opportunities. The role may involve raising funds through banks and debt or equity markets and, in some organisations, trading in foreign exchange, commodity and money markets.

Other activities may involve overseeing property, taxation, insurance and pensions.

Types of corporate treasury activity

Key treasury functions include:

  • capital markets and funding
  • cash and liquidity management
  • corporate financial management
  • risk management
  • treasury operations and compliance.

What does a corporate treasurer do?

Depending on the function you work in you may need to:

  • build relationships with banks, investors and other external stakeholders
  • contribute to treasury systems, controls and process improvements
  • develop treasury strategies to support business objectives and long-term growth
  • evaluate the financial impact of new projects, investments and business opportunities
  • forecast cash requirements and monitor financial performance
  • identify, assess and manage financial risks, including interest rate, currency and liquidity risks
  • manage cash flow, liquidity and funding to support business operations
  • monitor financial markets and economic developments that could affect the organisation
  • negotiate funding arrangements with banks and other financial providers
  • provide financial advice and insights to senior leaders and other departments.

Corporate treasurer salary

  • Graduates entering corporate treasury at assistant or junior level usually start on salaries of £25,000 to £35,000, increasing to £40,000 to £50,000 for starters above graduate level.
  • With several years' experience, in roles such as treasury manager, senior treasury analyst or treasury accountant, you can earn between £50,000 to £75,000.
  • Depending on the company, location and complexity of treasury operation, senior treasurers can earn in the region of £65,000 to more than £150,000.

Market demand and wider economic conditions can affect salary levels, as well as your level of skill and experience, professional qualifications and personal performance.

There are opportunities for self-employment in consultancy, or interim management during times of change or crisis in a company. Treasurers with professional qualifications and sufficient experience can charge rates of £300 to £1,000 per day.

Bonuses and benefits packages are also usually provided. Salaries generally tend to be higher in London and the South East.

Salary figures from The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a corporate treasurer work?

You'll usually work standard office hours across Monday to Friday. However, you may need to work extra hours during busy periods, such as financial reporting deadlines, funding transactions or major projects, and to attend meetings with senior stakeholders, banks or investors.

Part-time roles are uncommon, although some organisations may offer flexible or hybrid working arrangements.

How do I become a corporate treasurer?

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

  • accountancy
  • banking and finance
  • business studies
  • economics
  • finance
  • mathematics
  • statistics.

Entry with an HND or foundation degree alone is less common, although relevant experience, professional qualifications or apprenticeships may provide alternative routes into the profession.

A Masters in a financial or management-related subject may be beneficial but is not usually required. It can help you develop specialist knowledge and stand out in a competitive job market. Search postgraduate courses in finance.

Entry tends to be competitive due to the limited number of direct-entry graduate training roles.

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

The key ACT qualifications are the:

  • Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals (CertTF) - entry-level qualification that introduces treasury and accounting, and tax and regulation
  • Certificate in Treasury (CertT) - for those who already have a background in business or finance
  • Diploma in Treasury Management (AMCT) - for treasury professionals seeking senior operational or management roles.

Working towards professional qualifications as soon as possible may be helpful to your career development.

Other ACT qualifications include the Award in International Cash Management and the Certificate in International Cash Management, which are relevant to those working in domestic and international cash management and liquidity.

You may also be able to enter the profession through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship opportunities in treasury and financial services are offered by some employers, allowing you to earn while you learn and work towards professional qualifications. Check the ACT website and the government's Find an Apprenticeship service for details of current opportunities.

Key skills for working in a treasury role

You'll need to have:

  • excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to assess financial data, identify risks and support strategic decision-making
  • good judgement and commercial awareness when making decisions that affect an organisation's financial performance
  • integrity, attention to detail and a commitment to ethical professional standards
  • strong numeracy skills and confidence using financial systems, spreadsheets and other digital tools
  • strong communication and relationship-building skills to work effectively with senior leaders, colleagues, banks, investors and other external stakeholders
  • the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues
  • strategic thinking skills to plan ahead, manage risk and identify opportunities for growth.

Corporate treasury work experience

Relevant work experience can strengthen your job applications and help you understand how businesses manage their finances.

Look for internships, placements or insight programmes in treasury, finance, accounting, banking or financial services. Experience in finance-related roles can help you develop the commercial awareness, analytical skills and business understanding needed for a career in treasury.

Voluntary work as a treasurer for a local charity or student society can also provide useful experience.

Joining the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) can help you develop your knowledge of treasury and financial markets through its professional magazine, The Treasurer, industry events and networking opportunities.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who do corporate treasurers work for?

Corporate treasurers typically work in the head offices of medium-sized, large and multinational organisations in the private sector. While many treasury roles are based in London and the South East, opportunities are available across the UK and internationally.

In the public sector, treasury specialists work in central and local government, health and education, and charitable organisations.

Experienced treasury professionals may also join management consultancies and advise clients on improving their cash management, capital raising and risk management procedures.

The size of treasury departments varies significantly depending on the size and type of the company. For example, large and multinational companies will usually have a team of treasury staff based in different regions and countries. They will form part of a larger finance division.

In small businesses and start-ups, you may conduct treasury activities as part of your wider finance responsibilities.

Look for job vacancies at:

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Brewer Morris also advertise vacancies for permanent and interim jobs.

Professional development and career prospects

Many treasury professionals start their careers in graduate finance schemes or entry-level roles such as treasury analyst, finance analyst or treasury assistant. These roles provide experience across areas such as accounting, financial reporting, risk management and treasury, helping you develop a broad understanding of how organisations manage their finances.

As your career progresses, you'll typically work towards professional qualifications from the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). Employers often support this through study leave and funding.

Career progression may lead to specialist roles in areas such as funding, liquidity or risk management, before moving into senior positions such as treasury manager or head of treasury. With significant experience and professional qualifications, you could progress to group treasurer, finance director or chief financial officer (CFO).

Treasury professionals develop expertise in finance, risk and business strategy, creating opportunities to move into other senior finance roles, consultancy or wider leadership positions.