Remote working. Some love it, some hate it. But here’s the real question:
Is remote work actually working for treasury?
I had a great conversation with a client recently; he works remotely, but not by choice—by circumstance. That works for him. But the remote hire he made for his team? Not so much.
Turns out, hiring a remote employee isn’t the same as hiring a team member. And that’s a big difference.
Treasury is a team sport.
Treasury isn’t like some other finance disciplines, such as tax, which tends to be more rule-based. Instead, treasury operates within broader guidelines, requiring collaboration, adaptability, and a dynamic approach to problem-solving.
When something goes wrong—when markets shift, funding dries up, or a deal needs to happen now—you need quick decisions, fast communication, and a team that actually knows one another.
And let’s be honest… if your only way to talk to your colleague is by emailing them a Zoom link, it’s probably not going to cut it.
Some thrive. Most disappear.
I know this is a situation most companies have been facing. Since remote working was encouraged during lockdown, a pharmaceutical company I worked with had to hire a ton of remote employees. And guess what?
After the world reopened, the people who had worked in the office before lockdown were the ones who stayed.
The remote hires all left.
Why? Because they weren’t emotionally invested in the team. They came in, did the job, and moved on. They didn’t have those “remember that insane crisis we handled together?” moments.
So, should treasury roles ever be remote?
Well… it depends.
Some companies are built for it. They have structured remote policies, regular in-person team get-togethers, and hire based on skills first, remote status second.
Others? They just slap “remote” on the job advertisement and hope for the best.
The key is WHY someone wants to work remotely. If they choose remote work because it suits their life but still want to be part of a team? That can work.
If they just want to be left alone and never interact? Well… the world of corporate treasury probably isn’t for them and that’s OK.
Remote work in treasury can work—but only if it’s approached strategically. If you’re hiring remote, hire team players, not just workers.
If you’re job-hunting, be honest about what you want.
And if you’re still trying to figure it all out? Well, that’s what I’m here for.
Best regards,
Mike
