Have you ever felt that your treasurer role could depend entirely on your CFO’s mood?
You’re not alone.
I recently spoke to a treasurer who was riding high under one CFO—exploring blockchain, spearheading new initiatives, basically the Indiana Jones of treasury.
Two weeks later there was a change of CFO; new boss, new rules, someone with a different outlook entirely.
They told him that the treasurer at his previous company was the:
“King of cash, cash was everything”
He ruled it. He looked after it. He reported it. He forecasted it. He was everything about cash. Anything else, well… that wasn’t really his job.
That’s the way the new CFO saw it.
Suddenly he was expected to do little more than count the numbers and report back weekly.
And how did he react…?
“Here’s my Resume, Mike.”
It’s not you, it’s your CFO
The truth is, how you’re perceived as a treasurer often depends on your CFO. Some CFOs view treasurers as financial ‘explorers’ – trusted advisors tasked with exploring exciting new initiatives.
Others… not so much.
Some CFOs see the role of their Treasurer as a high-level cash manager. They see the role of their Treasurer, as basically to keep the lights on, monitor the bank balances, and send a weekly update.
Groundbreaking stuff, right?
Same title, hugely different roles
Treasury is a fascinating field because no two roles are the same. Some treasurers manage a centralised team in one location, while others oversee decentralised teams scattered across the globe. One company might be swimming in cash, while another is debt-laden (on purpose I might add!).
Even with similar tools and titles, your experience as a Treasurer can be vastly different depending on how empowered you are in your role.
Empowerment = happiness
Speaking of empowerment, let’s talk about job satisfaction. It’s no coincidence that senior treasurers are often happier. Why? Because they’re given more freedom to innovate, lead, and actually make a difference.
At the junior level, you’re often micromanaged and given a strict to-do list. But as you climb the ladder, the right CFOs will trust you to get on with it—and that trust makes all the difference.
So, what happens when it’s not a fit?
If your CFO only views you as a transactional cash manager, you have two choices:
- Try to reshape the role by demonstrating your value and potential – if you’ve got the energy for it
- Start exploring new opportunities with a CFO who values your expertise.
And if option two sounds tempting, just us a message.
Get in Touch
If you have any more questions or need personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us as our team of experts is ready to support you in all your recruitment needs.
