It’s that time of year again…
The annual awkward conversation where treasurers sit down with their boss, shuffle in their seat, and politely ask if their pay can reflect, you know… reality.
And yet too many treasurers walk out of that meeting with either:
- A vague “we’ll review it later in the year” promise
- A cost of living increase that barely covers your daily coffee
- A pat on the back and a “well done for doing a great job again this year” (no bonus attached)
So, if this year’s pay review didn’t quite go your way, let’s talk about how to make sure next year’s is better.
- Stop worrying about “bragging”
One of the biggest reasons people struggle in pay reviews? They don’t want to brag or seem arrogant. They’ll say things like:
“I mean, I did help save the company £500k, but I was just doing my job…”
No! You say,
“I saved the company £500k this year.”
You did. Nobody else. So own it.
It’s not bragging – it’s your work.
Your boss isn’t psychic. They don’t see the fires you put out daily. If you don’t make it crystal clear how you’ve added value, they won’t magically reward you for it.
So, next time you step into that pay review, go in with evidence of your impact, not just a hopeful expression.
- Start your black book now
I’ve said before and I will say it again because it is just SO DAMN important!
Track your wins – Get a little black book (or do it digitally) and every week or even every month (worst case scenario, weekly is easier) – note down what you actually achieved.
Did you…
- Cut costs on a major contract?
- Streamlined a process that saved time?
- Solved a problem before it became a crisis?
Write it all down.
By the time next year’s review rolls around, you’ll have a bulletproof case for why you deserve that pay rise.
I even do this myself; every week, I note down my wins, even the small ones and some of the personal ones too.
Here’s some from last week:
- Launched CTP credits for Treasury Career Corner LIVE – anyone attending our 2025 U.S. events earns professional development credits
- Secured another sponsor for our US Events, which enables me to offer them for FREE for treasury professionals
- Lost another 1lb – 17½ lost since November 2024
The point is: if you don’t track what you’ve done, you’ll forget it. And if you forget it, how can you prove you deserve a raise?
- If your company won’t reward you… someone else will
Look, I’m all for fighting your corner and making your case. But sometimes, no amount of convincing will change a company that just doesn’t value its treasury team properly.
And if that’s the case? Well… there are plenty of other companies that do.
Give us a call and we would be happy to help you find that next perfect role.
P.S. Need some help preparing for your next pay review? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to justify your salary (without sounding like an egomaniac).
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