Treasury managers are highly sought after experts that oversee the finances of a business to ensure stability and optimal cashflow with limited risk.
If you're considering a career as a treasury manager, understanding their responsibilities, qualifications, and earning potential can help you decide if this is the right path for you. This guide will explore the key aspects of this career, including salary insights, job roles, the skills needed, and how automation is shaping the field.
What does a treasury manager do?
A treasury manager is responsible for streamlining an organization's finances by monitoring investments, managing risks associated with financial markets, and developing strategies to optimize working capital. This role is vital in ensuring the company's financial resources are used to meet both short-term and long-term goals.
Roles and responsibilities of a treasury manager
Managing cash flow
In order to maintain company liquidity, it’s essential for treasury managers to monitor effectively what dollars flow in and out of the business.
Overseeing investments
Managing investment portfolios to ensure growth and mitigate risks is a key responsibility of a treasury manager. Knowing how to generate more revenue through smart investment decisions can help a company stay stable and navigate the ebbs and flows of the economy.
Reporting financial performance
Strategic decisions can only be made by leaders if they have the right information. That's why treasury managers prepare detailed financial reports that help shape executive decisions with real-time metrics and data.
Handling risk management
In order to be a successful treasury manager, you must identify risks related to currency fluctuations, market adjustments, and credit, while developing mitigation strategies.
Executing strategic planning
Working with executive teams to align financial strategies with organizational goals is a major part of the position. As a treasury manager, you should be able to communicate with leaders that make crucial decisions for the business as well as maintain banking relationships and uphold company policy.
How to become a treasury manager
Most treasury managers need a lot of experience in multiple areas in order to earn their position. To become a treasury manager you need to have the following experience on your resume:
- Bachelor’s degree: A strong academic foundation is essential, with most employers requiring a Bachelor’s degree in either finance, economics, accounting, or a related field.
- Relevant career history: Many treasury managers grow into the role after gaining experience in financial analysis, accounting, or other treasury-related positions. Some even start in banking and move to treasury positions later on in their career.
- Professional certifications: Earning credentials such as the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) can demonstrate expertise and improve career prospects.
Treasury manager skills and qualifications
Successful treasury managers possess a combination of technical knowledge and essential soft skills like:
- Technical knowledge
- Financial acumen
- Proficiency in the latest tools and techniques
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Leadership capability
You need to have financial acumen and proficiency in the latest financial tools and software. Knowing how to streamline workflows with automated tools like BILL BILL Accounts Payable, for example, can improve efficiencies and establish yourself at the forefront of the latest strategies.
You should also have strong analytical abilities, so you can accurately evaluate data and make informed decisions. In order to articulate those informed decisions, you also need excellent communication and presentation skills—particularly when speaking to important stakeholders.
And finally, as a treasury manager, you’re at the forefront of vital financial decisions. You need to have leadership capabilities to inspire and manage teams that will be driving your financial strategies.
How much do treasury managers earn?
According to Salary.com, treasury managers in the U.S. make an average of $169,415 annually or $81 an hour with experienced professionals often earning more and those with less experience earning less. Bonuses and benefits, such as stock options and performance incentives, can further boost compensation.
*Data is based on publicly available information on Salary.com for all listed businesses and is not a reflection, nor a guarantee of, salary ranges at BILL.
How treasury managers can succeed with BILL
Automation is revolutionizing treasury management, enabling professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives. That’s where BILL comes in to drive the most value.
BILL Account Payable is designed to automate company expenses and take the guesswork out of managing finances. Because it has both an expense card and automated tracking, you’re able to streamline the entire expense cycle—from creating cards and initiating payments to capturing receipts and closing the books.
Its intuitive interface, mobile app, and robust integrations also make it easy to manage card spending, get the info you need from employees, and view real-time insights about finances that would otherwise be difficult to collect.
BILL provides best-in-class tools, compliance, security, and customer support with no hidden fees or contracts—making it the only expense management software that does so.
Hear what customers have to say about their experience with BILL Spend and Expense.
“Once clients get rolling on BILL, it is so much better. They stop duplicating expenses, they stop overpaying. Everything comes into BILL. Clients can see it. And we can put together a really nice review process for them so they can approve all the invoices before they get paid.” - Creative Planning Business Services Supervisor, Outsourced Business Accounting Rebecca Williams
“I don't have to dig through files of papers with BILL Spend & Expense. Once I had to find a receipt from a whole year ago, and now, this is so easy.” - Emergency Plumbing Heating & Air Office Administrator Sandra Helton
Success stories like these speak volumes about the value that BILL brings to businesses. In fact, 94% of surveyed users would recommend BILL to a friend.2
By using BILL, treasury managers can reduce errors, improve efficiency, and gain actionable insights through real-time data analysis. This allows them to spend less time on manual processes and more time on driving business growth.
Treasury manager FAQs
What is the difference between a finance manager and a treasury manager?
While both roles involve managing aspects of a company’s finances, their focus differs. Finance Managers deal broadly with financial planning, budgeting, and performance tracking. Treasury Managers focus specifically on liquidity, investments, cash flow, and risk management.
How long does it take to become a treasury manager?
The timeline typically depends on educational background and professional experience. It often takes around 5 to 10 years of relevant work experience after completing a degree to reach this role, particularly if progressing through financial or treasury departments.
Is being a treasury manager a stressful job?
Treasury management can indeed be stressful at times, given the high stakes of maintaining financial stability and navigating market risks. However, with the right tools and skills, the challenges are not only manageable but also rewarding and fulfilling.
