FROM BANK TO CORPORATE
Francesca De Salvo has expeirence of roles in both banks and corporates. Here she talks to us about her current role with Diaverum as Group Tax and Treasury Manager and how the Certificate in International Cash Management has supported her through the transition and in her new position.
What does your current role entail?
I am currently responsible for the day to day treasury activity of the Group: treasury reporting, European cash pool management and administration, treasury system management and administration, day to day bank relationship, short term cash forecasting, periodic reporting to the lenders, intercompany financing management, issuance of corporate guarantees and owner of the process to get bank guarantees.
I am also project manager for treasury projects. In the next few months, this will involve a change of Group cash pooling (cash management bank and new structure in Europe) and replacement of the treasury Management system.
How did you end up in a career in treasury/finance?
I was working in the corporate finance department of a big bank. I wanted to move to work for corporates and treasury looked to me the most interesting department to work within. There I could effectively use the knowledge coming from my previous career in a bank.
Why did you take the Certificate in International Cash Management? What was your main objective?
I had two main objectives when I decided to take the Certificate in International Cash Management: firstly, I wanted to have a worldwide recognized certification in treasury which demonstrates my knowledge and level of expertise in the role. Secondly, I was looking for an education program focused exclusively in cash management that was, at the same time, specific on the topic and comprehensive of all the aspects.
Which specific areas of your job role will this qualification support?
I believe that I got a lot of very useful input specifically in the area of payments and, in general, on the bank activity that is behind the ebanking system or the client service. Even if the course is from the point of view of the corporates, coming from a corporate, I could understand better the point of view of the banks. Moreover, I got a very useful overview of cash management outside Europe. This aspect is very useful to me to handle treasury aspects also for our companies´ subsidiaries out of Europe.
Are there particular areas of treasury/finance that this qualification helped you understand even better?
I do not currently handle FX instruments, and even if I studied them during my Master’s degree, I could understand better their utilization in treasury context and the benefit they may bring.
What are the benefits of having professional qualifications to add to your CV/résumé?
I believe it clearly states the level of expertise reached in a specific role. When it is supported by a specific work experience, it certifies what the person learned in the job. Years of experience in a specific role or career progress done by a person cannot, in my opinion, offer a better understanding of the real capabilities of a person as a professional qualification can do. Moreover, I believe that a company, having professionals with professional qualifications, benefits in terms of image, showing high level of professionalism amongst their staff.
How was your experience studying through ACT Learning?
Studying through ACT Learning was a great experience. The level of the material was extremely high, and the tutors were excellent. The whole thing was very easy to access.