Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with MSc Financial Management students at the University of Birmingham Business School about treasury as a career and the different routes into the profession. The session combined an overview of treasury's role within organisations, insights from my own career journey and practical advice for those considering their first steps into the profession. It also reinforced something I often find when speaking to students and early-career professionals: treasury remains one of the most rewarding, but least understood, careers in finance.
One of the key messages I shared was simple: take opportunities when they arise, even if they do not form part of a carefully designed career plan. Early in your working life, it is often impossible to know where a particular project, role or conversation might lead. Many treasury professionals find themselves in the function through avenues they had not initially anticipated. I also encouraged students to think about developing their own professional ‘brand’. What do you want people to associate with you? It might be technical expertise, attention to detail, reliability, communication skills or the ability to deliver under pressure. Establishing that reputation early can create opportunities throughout your career.
Treasury sits at the heart of an organisation's financial strategy and plays a vital role in ensuring businesses can deliver on their objectives
One of the most common questions students ask is: "What does treasury actually do?" Treasury is often viewed as a specialist area of finance, but it differs significantly from accounting. While accounting is largely focused on reporting historical performance, treasury is fundamentally forward looking. Treasury teams help organisations make decisions that support future growth and resilience by managing funding, liquidity, financial risk and relationships with investors and banks. Treasury sits at the heart of an organisation's financial strategy and plays a vital role in ensuring businesses can deliver on their objectives.
For those who enjoy problem solving, working with senior stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions, treasury offers a unique chance to gain exposure to funding, capital markets, risk management, business strategy and sustainability initiatives. It combines technical analysis with commercial decision-making in a way that many other finance roles do not. Treasury also provides a uniquely broad view of an organisation, requiring professionals to work closely with teams across finance, regulation, operations, legal, strategy and the wider business, helping them develop a deep understanding of how the organisation functions as a whole.
The ability to communicate complex financial concepts in a simple and accessible way is often just as important as the analysis itself
Students are also often interested in how they can enter the profession. Treasury teams tend to be smaller than accounting or audit functions, which means the routes in are not always obvious. My advice is to focus on joining organisations with established treasury functions and seek opportunities to gain experience through finance, cash management, funding or risk-related roles. Once you gain visibility of treasury activities, it becomes much easier to build the experience needed to transition into a dedicated treasury role.
Technical competence remains a critical foundation for any treasury career, and this is where Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) qualifications play such an important role. The ACT provides globally recognised treasury education that equips professionals with the knowledge needed to understand liquidity management, funding, financial markets, corporate finance and risk management. Qualifications such as the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals and Certificate in Treasury help aspiring treasurers develop the technical understanding required to succeed while also demonstrating commitment to the profession. The ACT also provides access to valuable training, networking opportunities and professional development resources throughout a treasurer's career.
However, while technical knowledge is essential, I believe the most successful treasurers are often distinguished by skills that cannot be gained solely through qualifications. Treasury professionals spend much of their time influencing stakeholders, presenting recommendations, managing projects and building relationships both internally and externally. The ability to communicate complex financial concepts in a simple and accessible way is often just as important as the analysis itself.
For aspiring treasurers, developing strong stakeholder management, communication, commercial awareness and project delivery skills should sit alongside pursuing professional qualifications. Treasury is ultimately about supporting business decisions, and the professionals who thrive are those who can combine technical expertise with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
Treasury may not always be the most visible career path for finance students, but it offers a fascinating opportunity to work at the centre of strategic decision-making. For those willing to embrace opportunities, invest in their professional development and continuously build technical and interpersonal skills, it can be an incredibly rewarding profession.
Helena Norgate is senior treasury funding manager at Cadent Gas
