How to run an effective treasury interview process

Preparation for the job interview: define the process

Clarify the interview stages: outline the stages of the interview process, such as phone screening, technical/role-specific interviews, and the final meeting. Typically, two to three stages are ideal for most roles, with two stages being more appropriate for short-term contracts.

Timely completion: aim to have the entire process completed within a week to avoid losing candidates, particularly contractors who often have multiple opportunities in progress.

Preparation for the interview: create a detailed job description and set clear expectations

Key responsibilities and qualifications: clearly define the key responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications for the role. Go beyond the generic “must be proficient in excel.” This is your opportunity to hire someone with a range of skills, from a professional adept at financial analysis, cash flow forecasting, hedging strategies, liquidity management, working capital and risk assessments.

Interim roles: emphasise the need for candidates to hit the ground running with minimal onboarding, cover or impact projects immediately, and ensure continuity and progress. Highlight that interim hires often come at a premium rate due to their specialised expertise and immediate effectiveness.

Interview a minimum of three candidates when hiring

Competitive market: given the competitive nature of the interim market, interviewing at least three qualified candidates helps mitigate the risk of losing top talent to other processes.

Swift movement: moving swiftly through the interview process increases the likelihood of securing the best fit.

Conducting the interview: example interview questions

Here are some examples of questions for hiring managers interviewing treasury professionals:  

General questions

• Can you tell me about your background and experience in treasury management?
• What attracted you to this role and our company?
• Can you give an example when you have collaborated with different teams?
• How do you stay updated with the latest trends and regulations in treasury management?

Technical skills

• What treasury management systems (TMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software are you proficient in?
• Can you describe a complex cash flow forecasting project you managed? What was the outcome?
• How do you approach risk and liquidity management? Can you provide an example of a challenging situation you managed?

Problem-solving and adaptability

• Describe a time when you had to quickly adapt to a new environment or system. How did you manage the transition?
• Can you give an example of a problem you identified in a treasury process and how you resolved it?
• How do you prioritise tasks when managing multiple projects with tight deadlines?

Behavioural and situational

• How do you manage conflicts between your treasury team members or with other departments?
• Describe a situation where you had to influence senior management to adopt a new treasury strategy.
• Can you provide an example of how you have contributed to improving treasury department in your previous roles?

Interim and contract roles

• How do you ensure you can hit the ground running with minimal onboarding in interim roles?
• What strategies do you use to make an immediate impact on projects?
• Can you share an example of a high-impact deliverable you managed within a brief period?

These questions can help you assess a candidate’s technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit for your treasury team. It is not enough for a treasury professional to be technically strong, they must have good soft skills and a deep understanding of market conditions too. And you can ascertain this information by running an effective interview process.

Post-interview: do’s

• Move quickly between stages: keep the process moving efficiently by minimising time between interview stages. Provide timely feedback to both candidates and internal stakeholders.
• Debrief with the interview team: hold a brief session to assess candidate strengths, weaknesses, and overall fit. Collaborate feedback to ensure a quick and informed decision.

Post-interview: don’ts

• Delay decision-making: prolonged decisions can result in losing high-quality interim candidates to competing opportunities.
• Overcomplicate the process: avoid adding unnecessary steps or complexity that could slow down hiring.

Key treasury hiring trends for 2025

Treasury systems and operations combined into one role: there is a growing trend of merging treasury systems and operations into a single role. This integration aims to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and ensure a cohesive approach to managing treasury functions.

Increasing role in investor relations: Treasury plays a crucial role in investor relations by ensuring effective communication with financial institutions and stakeholders. By providing accurate and timely financial data, Treasury helps build trust and transparency, which are essential for maintaining strong investor relationships.

Cash management and forecasting project experts: Organisations are increasingly seeking experts in cash flow forecasting projects to inform financial decisions. These professionals are crucial for accurately predicting financial liquidity, managing cash reserves, and ensuring the organisation’s financial stability by using key metrics and ratios such as liquidity ratios, cash conversion cycles, and days sales outstanding (DSO).

Liquidity and risk management: skills in risk and liquidity management are sought after. Professionals with expertise in these areas are essential for identifying potential financial risks, implementing strategies to mitigate them, and maintaining optimal liquidity levels.

New Head of Treasury roles: there is a notable trend of creating new Head of Treasury roles to initiate team build-outs. These senior positions are responsible for leading treasury functions, developing strategic plans, and building a robust team to support the organisation’s financial goals.