The duties of a treasury department or treasurer typically center on managing an organization’s financial resources, safeguarding liquidity, assessing financial risks, and supporting broader business or policy objectives[1].
In a corporate or institutional context, the key functions of treasury include:
- Cash management: Overseeing day-to-day cash flow to ensure sufficient funds for operations[5].
- Liquidity management: Maintaining the ability to meet obligations as they come due while maximizing the use of idle funds[6].
- Risk management: Identifying, measuring, and protecting the organization against financial risks such as market volatility, interest rate changes, and foreign exchange exposure[4].
- Investment management: Allocating surplus cash to appropriate investment opportunities and ensuring prudent risk management[6].
- Capital structure and funding: Determining the optimal mix of debt and equity, managing borrowing, and negotiating with banks and financial institutions[5].
- Financial policy and reporting: Supporting the CFO and executive team with analysis, strategic recommendations, and preparing regular financial reports[1].
- Regulatory compliance: Ensuring all treasury operations comply with legal and tax requirements[5].
In the public sector, such as national treasuries (e.g., the U.S. Department of the Treasury), the duties expand to include:
- Formulating financial, economic, and tax policy for the government[2].
- Managing federal finances, including public debt, revenue collection, and expenditures[2].[3].
- Advising the Chief Executive (e.g., President) on economic and financial matters[3].
- Oversight of currency and coinage production[2].[3].
- Supervising national banks and financial institutions[3].
- Law enforcement functions related to finances and money laundering[2].[3].
Treasury professionals may also be found in specialized roles in banks, nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities, each tailored to the financial oversight and strategy needs of the organization[1].
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