I wanted a career that was both challenging and rewarding. Working in treasury allows you to interact with various areas of the business concentrating on multiple strategic elements to help the company improve. It is ultimately very forward looking which involves a great deal of problem solving and risk management. There is not necessarily always a right or wrong answer, but when a solution is found that ticks the most boxes, it is very rewarding.
In my previous role as International Treasury Manager - RUMEA at RB I was responsible for Developing Markets for all aspects of treasury. My role was split broadly into 3 areas; cash/liquidity management, FX management and supporting/partnering the business. Working in Developing Markets bring its own challenges, with the changing regulatory and political landscapes. Priorities differ greatly across markets and can change very quickly depending on what challenges developing markets throws at you. I moved to my current role in August 2018.
I started studying for my AMCT before I had even started working in treasury. So ultimately my aim was to build my knowledge to get my first role in treasury.
The AMCT studies helped me secure my first role, having the ability to “talk treasury” in interviews and to have some basic knowledge of what was involved in Treasury was invaluable.
Go for it, even if you are already in treasury or looking to start a career, it really does help to fast track your development and understanding.
It helps to give a good knowledge of all areas of treasury, and helps give an understanding of the key risks and best practices for each treasury function. This helps from a career perspective as you will have a broader understanding if you are moving from say back office into front office, or up the ladder ultimately to treasurer.
Do old MCT course notes count!
It’s important to provide a platform for young treasurers who do not always have access to the treasury community to ask questions and reach out to. It’s also important to have fresh talent with new ideas coming through so this area of expertise keeps developing.
Ultimately having the technical skills is vital, whether you are presenting to the board or persuading a business unit, having good treasury knowledge helps convey confidence in challenging situations. Treasurers also need to possess a calm head and have the ability to ask the right questions, generally the most challenging situations are the most urgent, having as much information as possible helps make the right decision.
One of my long term ambitions is to build a house and have my own “grand design”.