Treasury Analyst vs. Accountant: What Are the Differences?

Treasury analysts and accountants are both financial professionals who work with numbers and financial reports. However, their job duties and responsibilities differ in some key ways. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in finance, understanding the differences between these two positions can help you decide which one is right for you.

In this article, we compare and contrast treasury analysts and accountants, highlighting the key differences between these two professions.

What is a Treasury Analyst?

Treasury Analysts are responsible for managing an organization’s cash flow and investment portfolio. They work with other financial professionals to develop short- and long-term financial plans. Treasury Analysts also monitor and report on financial risks, such as market fluctuations and interest rate changes. They may work with banks and other financial institutions to secure loans and lines of credit. Treasury Analysts typically work in the finance or accounting department of a company and report to the Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer.

What is an Accountant?

Accountants are responsible for preparing, analyzing and verifying financial records to ensure they are accurate and compliant with laws and regulations. They may work in a variety of industries, such as public accounting, corporate accounting, government accounting or non-profit accounting. Accountants typically have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some Accountants may also be certified public accountants (CPAs). Accountants use various software programs to track and analyze financial data. They may also prepare tax returns, financial statements and reports for their clients or employers.

Treasury Analyst vs. Accountant

Here are the main differences between a treasury analyst and an accountant.

Job Duties

One of the biggest differences between a treasurer and an accountant is the type of duties they perform. Accountants focus primarily on financial analysis, researching data to determine how much money a business can expect to make in a given period and evaluating current finances to ensure that a company meets its goals. Accounting professionals use this data to create reports for various stakeholders, such as executives, managers and shareholders.

Treasurers also perform financial duties, but their work focuses more on managing funds than analyzing existing funds. A treasurer may conduct research to determine which security investments are most beneficial to a company or evaluate incoming payments to ensure that a business receives the full amount it’s owed. Treasurers often work with other finance team members, such as bookkeepers and financial analysts, to provide decision-makers with complete information about a company’s financial status.

Job Requirements

To become a treasury analyst, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field. You may also need to have a few years of experience working in accounting or finance before you can be considered for a position as a treasury analyst. To become an accountant, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Some employers may also require you to have a master’s degree in accounting or a related field. You may also need to have a few years of experience working in accounting before you can be considered for a position as an accountant.

Work Environment

A major difference between a treasury analyst and an accountant is the work environment. A typical day for a treasury analyst involves working in an office setting, but they may also travel to meet with clients or attend conferences. Treasury analysts often work full time during regular business hours, although some companies require them to work overtime when necessary.

Accountants typically work in an office setting, but their job duties can take them into different environments. For example, an accountant who works as a tax preparer may spend much of their day traveling to meet with clients. Accountants may also work irregular hours, such as evenings and weekends, depending on their employer’s needs.

Skills

Both treasury analysts and accountants use financial analysis skills to examine an organization’s financial statements and identify areas of improvement. They also both use accounting skills to maintain accurate records and prepare financial reports. However, treasury analysts typically focus more on forecasting future cash flow and identifying risks, while accountants focus more on historical data and compliance with regulations.

Treasury analysts benefit from having strong problem-solving skills to identify issues that could impact an organization’s cash flow. They also need to be able to effectively communicate their findings to decision-makers within the organization. Accountants need to have excellent attention to detail to ensure accuracy in their work. They also need to be able to stay organized and meet deadlines, as they often work with multiple clients at one time.

Salary

Treasury analysts earn an average salary of $70,250 per year, while accountants earn an average salary of $68,239 per year. Both of these salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.