The initial plan was to go into investment banking but my graduation coincided with the 2008 financial crisis, making this path unfeasible for me. So, for the first three years of my career, I was in wealth management advising clients on their financial and retirement planning.
Later, in my attempt to penetrate the corporate finance world, I landed in treasury. This was incidental but it ended up being a great fit. The company I worked for was contending with a pronounced downturn as a result of its critical, albeit delayed, transition from a print publishing to a digital media company. These special circumstances increased the acuity of our risk and liquidity management responses. My experience there, while bumpy, helped me build an appreciation of the strategic role treasuries play in organisations.
At the end of my tenor there, I completed my CFA designation and moved to Dubai to work for a Big 4 treasury consultancy. I have been here for almost 10 years, and my role is to help treasurers and CFOs optimise their liquidity, manage their financial risks, improve their stakeholder relationships and governance, and realise operational efficiencies, including automation.
I was keen on delving deeper into the more technical aspects of treasury. It was also important to continue to distinguish myself in an increasingly competitive workforce landscape. I knew that having the ACT stamp on my profile would add credibility to my treasury experience.
What I liked the most about the Diploma is that the case studies were anchored in real life business scenarios. It forces candidates to grapple with the unavoidable ambiguities and trade-offs that a treasurer must contend with in deciding what type of financing to raise, which banking partners to go with, whether to cut dividends etc.
Personally, it also helped cement treasury best practices, frameworks and key considerations on a wide variety of topics. Furthermore, it enhanced the lens through which I look at corporate finance and enriched my understanding of treasury related regulations and accounting.
I pursued the Diploma because I am passionate about the topic and wanted to develop my understanding further. I am also a CFA charter holder and my motivation for doing the CFA exams was to gain the designatory letters. It was extremely challenging and I know many candidates who spent a lot of time on the qualification and came out empty handed which is why I am very proud to have passed the exams on my first attempt.
Firstly, pursue the Diploma in Treasury to deepen your treasury technical skills and broaden your horizons so that you gain a more holistic understanding of treasury.
Secondly, take it earlier rather than later in your career to maximise the boost it gives your profile and knowledge.
Thirdly, whenever you are thinking of pursuing a qualification make sure that it will challenge you and really increase your knowledge – rather than going after a ‘check-box’ designation.
“Love for people what you love for yourself and hate for them what you hate for yourself, and speak good or stay silent.”
The articles/videos on treasury hot topics. I am also interested in tapping into the broader treasury community in a more active way and it is something that I will make a conscious effort to do.
Like many, my phone. It has become the digital extension of our identities and our interface with the world.
I mainly read Julia Donaldson books to my eldest daughter before putting her to bed. The last book I read for myself was ‘Leading with Dignity’ by Donna Hicks.
Driven. Meticulous. Empathetic.