Match of the Month - January 2025

Our client is a company we have worked with for over a decade. We supported the growth of their treasury team from 2 team members to currently over 10. Three of our consultants have warm relations with multiple contact persons and there is constant communication between our teams. When asked what is important in our cooperation our client mentions the warm relation, the quality of the candidates we present and our eagerness to succeed, measurable in the speed of our processes.

The matches of the month for this client are both interim projects. On the operational side in trade finance, we were able to find a candidate who, although he is overqualified, can and wants to help in achieving the next level in processes and systems. The assignment includes data entry as well as strategy.

The other is the group treasurer position that opened up while the jobholder moves to a CFO role. The interim candidate will defend the fortress as the CFO of our client is thinking about the priority list and direction of the treasury team. He has a long and solid track record at director level and can lead and support sub teams in operations, trade finance, investments and (project) finance.

Can I help you too in finding a perfect match? Feel free to get in touch.

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Match of the Month - December 2024

The match of this month is one that did not materialize.

Clients with whom we have an inclusive agreement, get our services including a guarantee. This means, if the candidate leaves within 6 months, we find a new one at no cost.

Our client is looking for a right-hand person for a group treasurer. Together they will bring treasury to the next level, including a TMS implementation. This is a very appealing position for a medior level treasurer looking for more responsibility.

The labour market for junior and medior treasurers is very tight but we were able to present multiple candidates. Our client reached an agreement with a young talent who did not want to work in cryptocurrencies anymore because he considered the industry unreliable. Briefly, before he should have started, the placed candidate informed our client that his current employer offered him a higher salary and he changed his mind and wants to stay…..

This of course is a highly undesirable situation for our clients. And us. Luckily we agreed upon a guarantee beforehand and the leading consultant was able to present multiple candidates quickly. Meetings are scheduled and things are looking good. Hopefully, we can say soon that the solution has been found with a candidate who is even better than the original.

Can I help you too in finding a perfect match? Feel free to get in touch.

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Match of the Month - November 2024

On a regular basis, we get the question of how we land our new assignments. Of course, there is not one source, it is social media marketing, events, and direct acquisition, and also the newsletter is one of the sources. What we can say is that the majority comes from our “warm network“. Also in the market which we entered only a short time ago: Germany.

About a year ago, we landed a new group treasurer assignment when a candidate we were in contact with about a role in Dubai, referred us to his CFO when he left. This of course only works when we do a proper job and find good successors. Our latest placement in Germany is a capital markets executive.

This assignment came through us after we invited the previous job holder to the FinanzSymposium in Mannheim. When he decided to take his next step, we were asked to find his successor. He mentioned our name and we gladly stepped in. And now we can celebrate successfully closing this role with a candidate we met before. For another position in Dubai…..

Can I help you too in finding a perfect match? Feel free to get in touch.

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Survey Results: The Journey from Treasurer to CFO

At Treasurer Search, we understand that becoming a CFO is a goal for many treasurers. To shed light on this path, we just finished a survey on the career paths of 50 CFOs who previously worked in treasury. We only scratched the surface and will keep on digging but already wanted to share some of the results with you.

Previous surveys show that transitioning from treasury into a CFO role does not happen too often. In comparison to group controllers, chief accountants and others, a relatively small number of treasurers make it to the board. And the treasurers are already a minority!

The findings in this survey reveal key trends in how these former treasurers transitioned into their executive roles. We found that nearly half of these CFOs started their careers directly in treasury, while the other half gained experience in other roles, such as banking, consulting, or audit, before transitioning to treasury and eventually to the CFO position.

The Role of Training and Education

A surprising finding? Only 9 out of 50 candidates completed treasury-specific training. For many, so it seems hands-on experience and learning on the job were more valuable than formal treasury education. We also see this with corporate treasury professionals in general, where the percentage of those who completed a treasury education is even lower. So translating ambition into education still remains a good investment.

Education did of course play a key role in their career advancement, with the most common qualifications being at the Master’s level. These degrees were in the fields of economics, business economics, and finance, with a few having backgrounds in related fields like law. We will invest further time to find out if the treasurers who became CFO more often have a postgraduate degree like CPA, MBA, RT and CFA.

CFO Transition Insights

As for when these CFOs reached their role, the average age was 43, with the range spanning from 32 to 57. This shows that the journey to CFO can happen at different stages in a career, though many treasurers make the transition in their 40s with a track record of over 15 years.

Of the 50 CFOs surveyed, 22 (44%) started directly in treasury and then moved on to become CFOs. This confirms that treasury can be a strong foundation for those aiming for executive roles, with many leaping without needing extensive experience in other areas.

43 Average age to become a CFO
44 % of CFOs who used to be a treasurer, started in Treasury

At Treasurer Search, we understand what drives treasurers and are here to help you develop your skills, gain the right experience, and make that leap to CFO when the time is right. And if this is what you want, let’s talk.


Pieter started Treasurer Search 15 years ago and Jace joined this year with a focus on data management in the broadest sense. Both of them share an inquisitive mindset, especially Jace wants to go beyond what is often assumed – and might not be right. He will work on further surveys in the large data set of Treasurer Search.

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Match of the Month - October 2024

The match of this month underlines that labour market contracts come in many shapes and forms and there is a whole spectrum between being permanently employed and hiring a consultant from large firms.

Our client works on a complex TMS implementation where a new module is in the alpha (towards beta) version. They do not want to rely 100% on their vendor and are looking for a candidate who will manage the project and relations on their behalf. Quality, cost, and speed are all important aspects.

Next to the specialized treasury consultancy firm they considered, we were able to present candidates with a track record in TMS implementations, as well as a former senior consultant of a Big4. Our client chose the last as he can balance all important aspects and from the first meeting showed he can manage the process.

Can I help you too in finding a perfect match? Feel free to get in touch.

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Match of the Month - September 2024

In this project, we want to focus on the importance of the candidate’s personality and explore one of the many ways to make measuring personality more tangible.

Our client is a multi-billion-dollar listed company with treasury entities in various countries. For one of these entities, a new, innovative service and organization is being built. The board considers this an essential project, where results and speed are crucial. In our search, we of course paid attention to the treasury and other expertise the candidate had to bring.

In addition, we were very pleased that one of the candidates was (is) a former performance athlete. Research and our experience as recruiters show that, in high-pressure projects, employees with competitive sports backgrounds often transfer their athlete mindset to their professional lives. Our client chose this candidate, and we were not surprised.

Can I help you too in finding a perfect match? Feel free to get in touch.

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Match of the Month - August 2024

This month we successfully placed another candidate with a long-time client!

This client has been working with us for many years now. Due to this long-term commitment, we are very familiar with their company culture/structure and their needs in the search for a new treasury team member. This familiarity makes it easier for us to decide if a candidate could thrive in this specific role and environment.

This time around it was a search for the permanent placement of a role that was filled on an interim basis by us before. Our interim candidate raised his hand to make a long-term commitment to the company and move from interim to permanent.

Understandably, our client wanted to speak with some additional candidates to be able to make sure they hired the best candidate for the job. We were able to present additional candidates within short notice, but in the end our interim candidate turned out to be the best match and got offered the job! This time on a permanent basis.

This is one of the reasons that long-term relationships with both clients and candidates are very important to us. Knowing our clients and candidates well, enables us to do our job better and make more successful matches!

Can I help you too in finding a perfect match? Feel free to get in touch.

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Meet the New Team Members: Ana Hogaș

In the last interview of this series, we feature Ana. She joined Treasurer Search during her graduation semester, driven by a passion for recruitment and marketing. Initially an intern, Ana conducted key research on our expansion into the German market. Now a full-time team member, she continues to bring enthusiasm and valuable insights to our team.

Read on to discover Ana’s journey, her contributions to our team’s success, and her vision for the future of Treasurer Search. Let’s get to know Ana!


Why did you decide to join Treasurer Search?

I was actively searching for an internship for my graduation semester when I stumbled upon Treasurer Search. Recruitment and recruitment marketing have always been of high interest to me, from my previous experiences, so I decided to apply. While my understanding of treasury was initially limited, I have been learning and am committed to continuing this journey.

From my very first interaction with the team at Treasurer Search, I felt incredibly welcomed, which made my decision to join an even better one.

You first joined us as an intern. During your internship, you conducted research for the company. Can you tell us about the focus of your research?

My research focused on Treasurer Search’s expansion into the German market. This involved understanding the German treasury recruitment landscape and identifying what clients expect from service providers like Treasurer Search. I have analyzed processes, competition, market trends and interviewed potential German clients.

I am very grateful to Pieter and Britta for using their network and helping me reach out to the interviewees. Based on all the findings, I have provided Treasurer Search with an overview and recommendations.

After your internship, you decided to stay. What made you choose to continue your journey with us?

I chose to officially start my professional career at Treasurer Search because I genuinely enjoy my work and believe we can achieve remarkable things together. The team has been very supportive throughout my internship, creating a highly enjoyable work environment. I see a lot of potential to learn about recruitment and expand my treasury knowledge.

The company’s openness to change allows me to try new things and grow. I can also use my marketing knowledge gained over the past four university years to drive our initiatives. The team’s dedication to both company goals and individual professional development was incredibly motivating. I felt valued and saw great potential for enhancing my skills, especially with exciting future projects.

What’s a challenge you faced during your internship and how did you handle it?

I wouldn’t say I faced many challenges during my internship, mainly due to the team’s eagerness to help and support. I had to familiarize myself with the systems and processes at Treasurer Search in the beginning and, treasury was a new field for me. But, through my work and the workshops organized by my colleagues, my knowledge has grown significantly. I’m eager to continue learning and developing within the team.

What are your goals for enhancing our company’s brand and reach?

My goal is to ensure Treasurer Search is one of the most prominent treasury recruitment agencies on the market from a marketing perspective, not only in the Netherlands and Germany but also in other countries. 

I see a future where Treasurer Search is omnipresent, making our work and reputation easily recognizable to both candidates and clients. I also aim to use the insights discovered through my graduation research paper to significantly boost our presence in the German market.


If there is one quote you would give others as advice, what would it be?

“Always stay curious and open to learning new things”

Meet the other new team members

Meet the New Team Members: Jace van den Heuvel

In the second interview of this series, we highlight Jace, the newest member of our office support team. With a background in administration and a genuine passion for his work, Jace plays an important role at Treasurer Search. Join us as we dive into his journey, his key responsibilities in keeping our database up to date, and what he loves most about his job.

Discover why Jace is such an important part of our team and how he helps ensure everything runs smoothly. Let’s explore Jace’s role!


How did you decide to join Treasurer Search in the role of office support?

I was looking for a job and had previously worked in administration, which I really enjoyed. While some might see data and administrative tasks as routine, I find them both calming and rewarding.

I especially love seeing a list of accounts get shorter as I update or add them to the system. It’s satisfying work. During my interview and since starting, the team has been very welcoming and supportive, which made the decision to join even easier.

What are your main responsibilities in your role as office support?

I mainly focus on updating candidates in our database. Keeping this information current is crucial for the consultants because they rely on these updates to find suitable candidates using filters. If something isn’t up to date, the filters won’t work correctly, then the consultants can’t do their job.

How do you ensure smooth day-to-day operations in our office?

First and foremost, I maintain clear communication with my colleagues. For example, if they need a specific candidate updated or added to the system, I prioritize that to ensure they can continue their work seamlessly.

Additionally, I manage several lists and statuses within the system, prioritizing the most important tasks of the day and methodically working through them.

What skills do you believe are crucial in your role?

Attention to detail is crucial because it’s easy to overlook small but important details. Being specific with information is essential.

Additionally, a bit of curiosity helps because I often encounter terms or acronyms I’m unfamiliar with. In such cases, I either research them or ask a colleague to ensure I tag candidates properly.

Can you describe a challenging situation you’ve managed and how you resolved it?

I haven’t faced many challenges yet since I haven’t been with Treasurer Search for long. The most challenging part was my first week, adapting to the company’s atmosphere, getting to know my colleagues, and learning a new system.

Workshops and support from colleagues have been incredibly helpful in overcoming these initial hurdles and applying what I learn to my daily tasks.

What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoy the process of updating candidates. I find it calming to sit down with a podcast playing, compare our system’s information with LinkedIn, ensure all data is up to date, and correct any tags. It’s a task I find both relaxing and satisfying.

Meet the other new team members

Match of the Month - July 2024

After the company’s own talent acquisition team searched for six months without success, the hiring manager finally tied the knot and contacted us. Shortly thereafter, the personal intake took place and we began the process of getting their stalled search back on track. 1 whole day after we received the signed contract, I was already able to present my first candidate.

A stroke of luck perhaps, … but still. The result of our ongoing endeavors is to grow our network and keep in close contact.

It was a candidate in the autumn of his career, with a heavier background than immediately needed. But the standard had been set. All subsequent candidates did not have what this candidate had. And thanks in part to the client’s open-mindedness and thoroughness, this candidate was able to start his new job last month.

To celebrate, we gifted him a coffee mug that reads ‘Listen to the Treasurer.’ He sent us a photo of himself working, proudly showing the mug—a very nice touch that added a personal connection to his success story!

Can I help you too in finding a perfect match? Feel free to get in touch.

 

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