17 Treasury Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

The role of a treasury specialist is to manage an organization’s cash flow and invest its money in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes returns. Treasury specialists work in a variety of industries, including banking, accounting, and finance.

If you’re interested in becoming a treasury specialist, you’ll need to have strong math skills and experience working with financial software. You’ll also need to be able to clearly communicate your recommendations to non-financial staff. During your job interview, you’ll be asked a variety of treasury specialist interview questions designed to assess your skills and experience.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample treasury specialist interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the Treasury Management industry?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in the industry. If you have previous experience working as a treasury specialist, describe what you did and how it helped your company. If you don’t have any prior experience, explain why you’re interested in this role and how you plan to learn more about the industry.

Example: “I worked for a small business that used an ERP system to manage their finances. I was responsible for entering data into the system and making sure all transactions were recorded accurately. The treasury management software we used had many features, including budgeting tools and cash flow reports. This experience has given me a basic understanding of the industry.”

What are the most common types of accounts you would expect to see as a treasury specialist?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in a treasury specialist role. You can answer this question by naming several types of accounts you’ve worked with in previous roles and explain what each type is used for.

Example: “The most common types of accounts I have seen as a treasury specialist are operating, investment and cash accounts. Operating accounts are where companies deposit their daily revenue. Investment accounts are where companies deposit money they want to save or invest for future use. Cash accounts are where companies deposit money that’s ready to be spent.”

How would you describe the role of a treasury specialist in relation to other finance professionals?

This question helps the interviewer understand your knowledge of the finance industry and how you view yourself in relation to other professionals. Use this opportunity to show that you have a strong understanding of the role treasury specialists play within their organizations, as well as the importance of their work.

Example: “Treasury specialists are responsible for managing all financial transactions between an organization and its suppliers, customers and investors. Treasury specialists also manage cash flow by ensuring that there is enough money on hand to cover expenses and pay debts. In my last position, I was responsible for overseeing all incoming and outgoing payments, reconciling accounts and maintaining accurate records.”

What is your experience with working with financial software as a treasury specialist?

Treasury specialists use a variety of software to complete their work. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with financial software and how you’ve used it in the past. Use your answer to describe which software you’re familiar with and what kind of tasks you completed using that software.

Example: “I have worked with several different types of financial software throughout my career, including ERP systems like Oracle Financials and Microsoft Dynamics GP. I also have experience working with accounting software like Intuit QuickBooks Online and Sage 50 Accounting. These programs allow me to manage all aspects of treasury operations, from managing accounts receivable and payable to tracking cash flow.”

Provide an example of a time you identified a problem with a bank account and resolved it.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you use your problem-solving skills to resolve issues in a timely manner. Use examples from previous work experience where you helped resolve an issue with a client’s bank account and ensured it was fixed before the deadline.

Example: “At my last job, I had a client who needed to make a large deposit into their checking account but didn’t have enough funds in their savings account to cover the entire amount. The client wanted to know if there were any other ways they could deposit the money without having to wait for more funds to be available in their savings account. I researched different options that would allow them to deposit the money while still avoiding overdraft fees. In the end, we found another way for the client to deposit the money so they wouldn’t incur any additional fees.”

If you had to choose one area of finance to specialize in as a treasury specialist, what would it be?

This question is a great way to assess your level of interest in treasury work. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you have an understanding of what it takes to be successful as a treasury specialist. When answering this question, try to focus on one area of finance that interests you and explain why.

Example: “I would choose cash management because I find it interesting how banks manage their funds. There are so many different ways to do it, and I enjoy learning about new methods. Cash management is also important for businesses, which makes me want to learn more about it.”

What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy in the company’s financial records?

This question can help the interviewer assess your attention to detail and ability to resolve problems. Your answer should show that you are willing to take action when necessary, even if it means challenging someone in authority.

Example: “If I noticed a discrepancy in the company’s financial records, I would first try to find out why there was a difference between two sets of books. If I could not get an explanation from my manager or other senior staff members, I would ask for permission to investigate further. If they still refused, I would report the issue to the board of directors so they could decide what steps to take next.”

How well do you understand the concept of netting?

Netting is a process that involves offsetting one account against another. This allows you to reduce the total amount of money owed or received in an accounting system. Your interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with netting and how well you understand it. In your answer, try to explain what netting is and give examples of when you’ve used it in previous roles.

Example: “I understand the concept of netting very well. I use it regularly at my current job where I’m responsible for reconciling accounts and making sure they’re accurate. When working on reconciliation, I often need to net out different accounts so I can accurately calculate the totals. For example, I recently had to net out several different accounts to find the correct balance between two companies.”

Do you have experience preparing reports for upper management? If so, describe a time you prepared a report that was useful to your employer.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with reporting and how you use it in your work. Use examples from previous roles to explain how you prepared reports for management and what the outcomes were.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for preparing a monthly report that included all of our financial information. This helped upper management understand where we were spending money and how much revenue we brought in each month. The report also allowed them to see which areas of the company could be improved or cut back on. As a result, they used the information I provided to make better business decisions.”

When is it appropriate to use short-term investments?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of treasury management and how you apply it to specific situations. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to make decisions about when short-term investments are appropriate and how you use them effectively.

Example: “Short-term investments are a good option for funds that I need to invest quickly, such as money that’s needed in less than one year. In my last role, we had some unexpected expenses come up that required us to access our cash reserves. We were able to use short-term investments to withdraw $100,000 within 24 hours so we could pay our bills on time.”

We want to improve our cash flow. What strategies would you use to increase our daily cash intake?

This question is an opportunity to show your expertise in treasury management. Use examples from previous experience that highlight your ability to increase cash flow and improve a company’s financial health.

Example: “I would start by analyzing the current state of our cash flow, including how much money we’re bringing in on a daily basis and where it’s coming from. Then I’d look at what percentage of our incoming revenue comes from each source. From there, I’d develop strategies for increasing our daily intake through existing channels while also looking for new sources of income. For example, if we have a large client who hasn’t paid us in two months, I might reach out to them directly to see if they need more time to pay us.”

Describe your experience with treasury management software.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with treasury management software and how you use it. Use examples from your previous job to describe what types of software you used, how often you used them and any challenges you faced using them.

Example: “In my last role as a treasury specialist, I worked with several different types of treasury management software. The first was an enterprise resource planning system that we used for general accounting purposes. We also used a cash flow forecasting tool to predict our company’s future revenue and expenses. Finally, we used a treasury management system to manage all incoming and outgoing funds.”

What makes you a good fit for this company?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what attracted you to the role and how you can contribute to the organization’s success. Before your interview, research the company thoroughly so you can reference specific aspects that appeal to you. You can also mention any skills or experience you have that align with the job description.

Example: “I am a strong communicator who is passionate about finance. I read about your company online and was impressed by its commitment to customer service. Your dedication to providing excellent care for clients makes me excited to work here. I think my background as a financial advisor would be an asset to your team because of my ability to help customers understand complex financial concepts.”

Which industries do you most want to work in as a treasury specialist?

This question can help an interviewer determine if your skills and experience are a good fit for their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on the company and understand what they do. You can also use this time to mention any specific qualifications or certifications that make you a great candidate for the role.

Example: “I am passionate about working in financial services, so I would love to work at a bank or credit union. However, I know that many of these organizations require specialized training, which is why I enrolled in the Certified Treasury Specialist program last year. This certification shows that I have the knowledge and expertise to succeed in treasury operations.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a treasury specialist to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you view the role. Your answer should show that you understand what’s important in this position, but it can also be a chance to highlight a skill you have that isn’t mentioned in the job description.

Example: “I think communication is the most important skill for a treasury specialist because they need to communicate with so many different departments within an organization. Treasury specialists are often the go-to person when there’s confusion about financial information, so I make sure to always be available to answer questions or provide clarification. In my last role, I was able to reduce stress by answering questions before they became urgent.”

How often should you review financial statements?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and expertise. Your answer should show that you know how to review financial statements regularly, which is an important part of being a treasury specialist. When answering this question, consider mentioning specific time frames for reviewing financial statements so the interviewer knows you have done it before.

Example: “I recommend reviewing financial statements at least once per month. This allows me to see any changes in revenue or expenses quickly so I can make adjustments as needed. It also helps me identify trends in spending and revenue so I can plan ahead for upcoming events.”

There is a risk that you will not have enough cash to meet daily obligations. What would you do to increase our cash flow?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions under pressure. Your answer should include a specific example of how you would handle this situation, including the steps you would take to ensure cash flow.

Example: “If I were in charge of managing cash flow for my company, I would first analyze our current cash position. If we had enough cash on hand to meet daily obligations, I would look at our accounts payable and determine if there are any vendors that can be paid later or discounts that can be applied. If not, then I would consider other options such as issuing bonds or selling assets.”