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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Treasury Accountant

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

FinanceAccountingCorporate Finance

🎯 Role Definition

The Treasury Accountant is a cornerstone of the corporate finance team, responsible for the effective management of the organization's cash and financial assets. This role acts as the primary steward of daily liquidity, ensuring funds are available to meet operational needs while optimizing investment returns and minimizing financial risks. More than just a numbers-focused position, the Treasury Accountant is a strategic partner who provides critical insights into cash flow trends, manages banking relationships, and ensures strict compliance with financial regulations and internal policies. Success in this role requires a meticulous, analytical, and proactive individual who can navigate the complexities of cash management, financial instruments, and global banking systems to safeguard the company's financial stability and support its growth objectives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Staff Accountant
  • Financial Analyst (Corporate or FP&A)
  • Junior Accountant or Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist

Advancement To:

  • Senior Treasury Accountant
  • Treasury Analyst / Senior Treasury Analyst
  • Treasury Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Accountant or Senior Accountant
  • Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute daily cash positioning and liquidity management activities to determine the company's cash needs, ensuring sufficient funds are available for operations and disbursements.
  • Prepare and analyze daily, weekly, and monthly cash flow forecasts by collaborating with various business units to gather accurate data on expected receipts and expenditures.
  • Initiate and process electronic payments, including domestic and international wire transfers, ACH payments, and book transfers, ensuring accuracy, proper authorization, and timely execution.
  • Manage and administer the company's corporate bank accounts, including opening, closing, and updating signatory lists and other account-related documentation.
  • Conduct detailed monthly analysis of bank fees and transaction costs, identifying discrepancies and opportunities for cost savings with banking partners.
  • Serve as a key administrator for treasury management systems (TMS) and online banking platforms, managing user access and troubleshooting technical issues.
  • Monitor and manage the company's short-term investment portfolio, executing trades as directed and tracking performance against benchmarks.
  • Reconcile all cash and investment accounts as part of the month-end close process, investigating and resolving any discrepancies in a timely manner.
  • Act as a primary point of contact for day-to-day banking relationships, addressing operational inquiries and fostering a strong partnership with financial institutions.
  • Oversee the corporate credit card program, including user administration, limit adjustments, and reconciliation of monthly statements.
  • Manage the company's debt schedules, tracking principal and interest payments and ensuring compliance with all reporting and covenant requirements.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the month-end and quarter-end financial close process by preparing journal entries, schedules, and reconciliations related to cash, debt, and investment activities.
  • Assist in the preparation of regulatory and compliance reports, such as the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) and other governmental filings.
  • Analyze foreign exchange (FX) exposure and assist in the execution of hedging strategies to mitigate currency risk as directed by management.
  • Participate in internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation, explanations, and supporting schedules for treasury-related accounts.
  • Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation within the treasury function to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
  • Assist with the management of intercompany funding and settlement processes, ensuring transactions are properly recorded and reconciled between entities.
  • Track letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds, managing applications, renewals, and fees associated with these credit instruments.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of all treasury policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks.
  • Support special projects led by the Treasury or Finance department, such as system implementations, M&A due diligence, or capital structure analysis.
  • Provide ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting to senior management to support strategic decision-making related to cash, debt, and risk management.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Cash Flow Forecasting: Proven ability to build, maintain, and analyze complex cash flow models (both direct and indirect methods) to predict short-term and long-term liquidity needs.
  • Treasury Management Systems (TMS): Hands-on experience with at least one major TMS platform (e.g., Kyriba, SAP Treasury, FIS Integrity, Oracle Cash Management) for cash positioning, payments, and reporting.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel: Mastery of Excel for financial modeling, data analysis, and reporting, including proficiency with pivot tables, VLOOKUP/HLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, complex formulas, and macros.
  • Bank Reconciliation: Expertise in performing complex, high-volume bank reconciliations and resolving discrepancies efficiently.
  • GAAP/IFRS Knowledge: Solid understanding of accounting principles related to cash, financial instruments, debt, and foreign currency transactions.
  • Electronic Payment Systems: In-depth knowledge of various payment methods and networks, including SWIFT, Fedwire, ACH, and SEPA.
  • Financial Risk Management: Foundational knowledge of interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, and counterparty credit risk.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to maintain accuracy and precision in all tasks, from data entry to financial reporting, leaving no room for error.
  • Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: The capacity to dissect complex financial data, identify trends and anomalies, and develop logical, effective solutions.
  • Excellent Communication: The ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex financial information, both verbally and in writing, to stakeholders at all levels.
  • Proactive & Self-Motivated: A "get-it-done" attitude with the initiative to identify issues, propose solutions, and improve processes without constant supervision.
  • Organizational and Time-Management Skills: The ability to manage multiple competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain a high level of organization in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in a relevant field.
  • Professional certification such as Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of relevant experience in a corporate treasury, accounting, or finance department.

Preferred: Direct experience in a corporate treasury role is highly desirable. Experience working in a multinational corporation with exposure to multi-currency cash management is a significant plus.

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