About the ACT

The Home of Treasury Since 1979

The Association of Corporate Treasurers is the professional body for treasurers and related roles, and the only one to hold a Royal Charter. Today we have a membership of around 5,000 people in more than 80 countries.

We’re a community led by treasurers, for treasurers. We exist to:

set the standard for excellence in treasury
help treasurers to build their networks
speak up for our profession.

Qualifications, community and advocacy all serve one purpose: to see treasury recognised as a strategic discipline – and one that calls for real judgement and skill. The more that's understood – by boards, regulators and the wider world – the stronger the profession becomes.

Professional man in finance and treasury smiling in front of office building

We Set the Standard for Excellence in Treasury

The ACT’s Competency Framework is the benchmark for good practice in the profession. It’s recognised by employers around the world, so it can help you wherever your career takes you.

That’s what an ACT qualification shows: that you’ve met a standard the profession trusts. Most assessments are available on demand, and our leading qualifications are now also delivered as MicroCredentials: short, self-contained modules that fit around the demands of work and life. Whether you're starting out, moving into more technical work, or building on skills you already have, there's a route for every stage, open to seasoned practitioners and newcomers alike.

Explore ACT Qualifications

Association of Corporate Treasurers Event - Annual Conference

We Help Treasurers Build Their Networks

Our events bring the treasury community together for rich, open conversation and the kind of peer relationships that are difficult to build in isolation. They range from webinars and breakfast briefings to regional network meetings, award dinners and international conferences.

The ACT Annual Conference is the UK's largest conference and exhibition dedicated to the treasury community, drawing hundreds of treasury, risk and finance professionals alongside dozens of exhibitors for two days of practical and strategic insight. Alongside it sit established fixtures such as the ACT Cash Management Conference, the ACT Middle East Treasury Summit in Dubai, and member-only events that focus on emerging treasury topics.

Explore Upcoming Events

We Speak Up for Our Profession

Treasurers are close to the financial decisions that keep organisations running and growing – but many outside the profession don’t understand what's involved. A large part of the ACT's role is to change that: to speak up for treasury, and to make sure the perspective of the real economy is heard.

We represent the position of treasurers to government, regulators and policymakers. Our policy team provide our profession’s perspective on proposed changes to the rules and market practice. The team monitors developments in regulation, markets, technology and the economy that affect treasury, and provides informed, unbiased technical guidance.

Get involved with the Policy and Technical Team

Our History

The origins of the Association of Corporate Treasurers lie in the volatile financial markets of the 1970s. Many treasuries were created within UK corporations in response to floating exchange rates, the relaxation of exchange control in the UK in 1976, unpredictable interest rates internationally, and increasing multi-national activities.

In January 1979, a small group of practitioners, convinced that the growing significance of treasury management, made the need for a professional association paramount, met in the Selfridge Hotel in London and the ACT was formed.

Although there had been previous attempts to establish a professional body for treasurers (notably The London Treasurers’ Club and The Society for International Treasurers), the ACT got off to a flying start. By October 1979, 378 members had joined this fledgling body; committees had been established for membership, education, and programmes; a yearbook had been planned, and the Bank of England had asked the ACT to nominate a representative to join its new committee investigating the sterling deposit market.

These successes continued and today the ACT has over 5,000 members and students in 80 countries, and in the UK in 82% of the FTSE 100 companies. It has represented the profession in many key areas, including the simplification of share buy-backs, accounting standards, and the development of a code of conduct for participants in the credit ratings industry. And more recently in the Global FX code and UK Money Markets Code.

In 2013, the ACT was awarded a Royal Charter, making it the only professional treasury association to be recognised in this way. It continues to work in the public and profession's interest to raise awareness of and to support professional standards in treasury practice.

ACT’s Corporate Strategy

Annette Spencer, ACT Chief Executive, outlines the ACT's strategic priorities for the coming years.

Evolving the ACT's membership structure.
Modern qualifications for a modern generation.
Treasury in the UK and beyond.
Being the voice of the corporate and finance world.

Download the ACT’s Strategy for the 2020s

Our International Activities

As the world's leading provider of treasury qualifications, the ACT is committed to supporting the development of the treasury profession worldwide. Anyone who has successfully completed the ACT membership examinations can become a member, wherever they are located. Members of overseas treasury associations who are resident in the UK for up to three years can also become international affiliates. The ACT is a member of the European Associations of Corporate Treasurers (EACT) and the International Group of Treasury Associations (IGTA).

The purpose of the EACT is to develop and strengthen the relationships between the national associations of corporate treasurers and financiers of the countries belonging to the European Union. The IGTA was formed in response to the globalisation of the treasury profession. Its purpose is to encourage the highest standards of professional ethics and best practice among treasury professionals worldwide.

Students across the world can study for ACT qualifications online through ACT Learning and sit their assessments remotely too. We have welcomed members from around the world to our regional events in Nairobi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Europe and the UK. And we have supported many more through our webinars and online resources.