A degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business is highly beneficial. Professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or specialized treasury certifications (e.g., ACT – Association of Corporate Treasurers) can enhance your prospects.
What is a treasurer?
Treasurers hold the distinguished position of being responsible for the financial health of an organisation. They ensure enough reserves and assets are available to see the organisation through changing economic conditions, and often use financial products such as share trading to enhance liquidity. As such, treasurers require a breadth of accounting skills including money management, risk management, corporate governance and corporate financing.
How do I achieve it?
Treasurers are normally qualified accountants who are members of a professional body such as ACCA. Often, treasurers begin their careers in tax, financial and management accountancy, corporate finance, or the legal departments of major institutions, including the big four accounting firms.
Aspiring treasurers will benefit from taking the following ACCA Strategic Professional Options exams:
- Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
- Advanced Taxation (ATX)
If you're thinking of applying for a treasurer role or simply considering the question "why be an accountant," take a deeper dive into what's involved by accessing the huge range of career advice and support on ACCA websites and apps - you can also request info directly from us.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Starting early with relevant finance or accounting studies, internships, and exposure to corporate finance or banking operations can set you on the path to a treasury career.
Common starting roles include treasury analyst, finance analyst, junior accountant, or cash management assistant. These positions build the technical skills and experience needed for more senior treasury responsibilities.
ACCA provides a strong foundation in financial management, reporting, and risk control, all critical for treasury. Progression often moves from graduate finance roles to financial or treasury analyst, then to treasury manager, and eventually treasurer or head of treasury.
Yes. Resources include ACCA student materials, webinars, professional body guides, online courses in cash management, corporate finance, and networking with treasury professionals through internships or student finance societies.
Common starting roles include trainee accountant, assistant management accountant, financial analyst, or business analyst. These give you a solid foundation in both finance and business operations.
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