Frances Rudolph
Degree obtained MA Hons Natural Sciences
Current job title: Deputy Treasurer, Cordiant Communications Group Plc.
Introduction to the treasury profession
After university I joined Price Waterhouse in the London audit practice and gained my ACA qualification. Postqualifying, I started to look for a new role and it took me some time to work out which direction to go in.
I always intended to work for a business, rather than for a service company. I wanted to feel part of a company, and to be able to add value in a practical way. My other driving thought was the need to make decisions that addressed the future, rather than making accounting decisions about things that had already happened. A job as in an operating company could have been an option, but I also liked the idea of working for a head office.
This led me to work in treasury.
Responsibilities
Having started as Treasury Analyst four and a half years ago, I am now Deputy Treasurer. I was extremely fortunate in the company that I chose to work for. I have experienced three bank refinancings, one rights issue and one demerger to say nothing of two changes in the top management. Working in treasury has not been boring!
I am responsible for running the treasury department of two managers and two back office staff. The department covers the following roles:
- international working capital and cash management
- liquidity management
- short and long term forecasting
- foreign exchange and interest exposure management
- bank relationships
- long term funding strategies
Variety
One of the enjoyable sides of my job is the interaction with other groups of people. Treasury does not work in isolation. In the company, we deal with other head office departments and with the operating companies on a daily basis, and we also have a large amount of exposure to the board and executive committee. Outside of the company, my main contacts are with the bank group, financial consultants and other treasurers.
Experience of the ACT study programme
Having recently completed the ACA exams, I was not keen to study further. However, although a career in treasury was possible without the qualification, I changed my mind for three reasons. The first was the need to develop my technical skills to be able to carry out my job better. Secondly, the ACT qualification was well recognised. Whether I wanted to stay in treasury, or move to a related finance field, having the qualification was going to help my career prospects. Finally, it would lead me into contact with the ACT organisation itself.
Future career choices with the ACT qualification
The sky is the limit!
Personally, I should like to stay in treasury for the next few years at least. However, the qualification and the experience that I have gained in treasury would help me in any business role. The obvious choices would be to work in corporate finance or operational management. If I ever wanted to take a career break, I would find it easier coming back into the job market with the qualification behind me.
The importance of the Association of Corporate Treasurers in my career
The ACT benefits from being relatively small compared to the other financial institutions. Many treasurers use it to meet other treasurers, to share knowledge and experiences. I now know treasurers at all different levels, from the ones that I did my exams with, to more senior members through committees. It is also has excellent communications through its publications, training and conference programmes, and the monthly Treasurer magazine. |  |
There are 12 other jobs listed. Click here to visit the full listing. |
