Why this matters:
In order for a company to function, it must always have sufficient finances. Certain initiatives sometimes require a treasurer to raise additional money to help cover business-related expenses. They must know how to acquire and distribute funds accordingly, whether through raising capital or taking out loans from partnering financial institutions.
What to listen for:
- Knowledge of fundraising techniques, such as raising capital
- Experience in funneling funds to help achieve initiatives
- An ability to use fundraised money to prepare for potential risks
Why this matters:
A major part of a treasurer’s responsibilities is to manage and minimize a company’s financial or operational risk. The treasurer must have a strong overview of their company’s regular cash flow so that they can anticipate all types of future risk, and develop a financial backup plan that helps alleviate unforeseen costs.
What to listen for:
- Experience in overseeing a company’s current financial statement and in reducing future risks
- Familiarity with different types of risk
- An effective risk management process that ensures a financial safety net
Why this matters:
Effective cash management looks different at every company. However, treasurers must be able to handle finances in a way that helps their company meet its needs. Rather than following a rigid one-size-fits-all approach, a qualified candidate should be able to make best use of a company’s funds depending on its size and scale.
What to listen for:
- An ability to ensure sufficient resources for smooth business operations
- A detailed explanation of effective cash management strategies
- Daily monitoring of cash flow to determine future financial activities
Why this matters:
Treasurers must not only make sure their company doesn’t go bankrupt, but also manage the treasury in a way that helps increase revenue. This question shows a candidate’s efficiency with finances, and how they work strategically to increase profit over time. In order to guarantee growth, they must also have a working knowledge of the current market and how to best navigate it.
What to listen for:
- An effective treasury management strategy with proven results
- Demonstrated experience in raising profit for a company
- An ability to ensure seamless money movement that doesn’t negatively impact company funds
Why this matters:
Although not ideal, there may be times when treasurers catch mistakes in financial statements and previous expense reports. In such situations, it’s important that they know how to quickly mitigate the issue at hand, take responsibility, investigate previous documentation, and make corrections in a timely manner.
What to listen for:
- Attention to detail when assessing financial statements
- An ability to identify and explain bookkeeping errors
- An ability to respond quickly and fix transaction records as needed
Why this matters:
Accurate risk management is the ultimate goal of a treasurer. However, things don’t always go according to plan, so an anticipated risk might not arrive as expected. It’s important for treasurers to first acknowledge the impact of a faulty prediction, then identify a financial solution for resolving it.
What to listen for:
- An honest explanation of consequences that the candidate faced because of inaccurate risk management
- A willingness to work with higher-level staff to devise a solution
- Ability to develop time-sensitive solutions that help mitigate unexpected risks
Why this matters:
In order to maintain treasury health, a treasurer must be willing to work with other departments and be open to developing a core business strategy that’s influenced by multiple perspectives. They must also know how to align their management of the treasury with company goals so that financial objectives are met.
What to listen for:
- An ability to partner with cross-functional teams to develop strong corporate strategy
- Project management skills when assessing progress and creating action plans
- A willingness to listen to a variety of perspectives before making a financial decision
Why this matters:
Treasurers must be transparent about their company’s money movements when communicating with important stakeholders who can provide resources. With deep knowledge and perspective, the treasurer should be able to explain the company’s finances and advocate for their needs when necessary.
What to listen for:
- An ability to facilitate productive meetings with outside stakeholders
- Interpersonal skills that will allow the candidate to network effectively
- Clear and concise communication with minimal need for clarification
Why this matters:
Treasurers must be intentional about analyzing the current economy, as it directly affects the way they manage and maintain their company’s treasury. They must actively seek relevant news about finance and technology so that they can adjust their strategy accordingly.
What to listen for:
- Knowledge of current news in government, finance, and technology
- Familiarity with fintech and its role in modern treasury operations
- An ability to respond to regulatory changes by reshaping corporate strategy
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