Top Prescreening Questions to Ask When Hiring a Head of Finance and Treasury: A Comprehensive Guide

What is your experience with corporate finance management?

Understanding a candidate's experience with corporate finance management is crucial as it reflects their ability to handle financial planning, control, and decision-making at a corporate level. Experience in this area is indicative of their comprehension of financial analysis, capital budgeting, and strategic financial planning.

How have you improved financial efficiency in your past roles?

This question gives you an insight into the candidate's ability to identify areas of improvement and implement measures to enhance financial efficiency. It also gives you a glimpse of their problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

Can you explain your experience with preparing financial forecasts and reports?

Financial forecasts and reports are crucial tools for any organization. This question helps you understand the candidate's proficiency in preparing and analyzing these documents, which are fundamental to strategic planning and decision-making.

What is your experience in managing financial risk?

Risk management is a critical aspect of finance. This question allows you to gauge the candidate's ability to identify, analyze, and manage potential financial risks that could affect the organization.

How familiar are you with tax planning and compliance?

With this question, you get to assess the candidate's knowledge and experience in dealing with tax issues, including planning, compliance, and regulation. It's a good indicator of their ability to navigate the complex world of taxation.

Have you ever managed a team? If yes, can you describe your leadership style?

Leadership skills are crucial for a Head of Finance and Treasury. This question helps you understand the candidate's experience in team management and their approach to leadership.

Have you ever implemented a new financial software or system? If so, can you describe the process and the outcome?

Implementing a new financial system is a challenging task that requires strategic planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills. This question gives you an insight into the candidate's capability to manage such a project and their approach to change management.

How do you stay updated with the latest financial laws and regulations?

Staying updated with the latest financial laws and regulations is vital in the financial sector. This question helps you understand the candidate's commitment to continuous learning and their methods for staying updated.

Can you describe your experience with cash management and banking relationships?

This question is designed to assess the candidate's experience and skills in managing cash flow, investment strategies, and banking relationships, which are crucial aspects of the role.

Have you ever been involved in fundraising activities or negotiations with financial institutions?

Fundraising and negotiating with financial institutions are key responsibilities of the Head of Finance and Treasury. This question can help you gauge the candidate's competence in these areas.

How do you approach strategic planning and budgeting within an organization?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's strategic thinking skills and their approach to budgeting and financial planning.

Can you share an instance where you had to make a tough financial decision and its outcome?

This question is designed to give you an insight into the candidate's decision-making process, their ability to handle pressure, and their problem-solving skills.

What is your experience with cost control and reduction?

Cost control and reduction are crucial for financial efficiency. This question helps you understand the candidate's experience and approach in these areas.

Do you have any experience in mergers and acquisitions?

Mergers and acquisitions can be complex and challenging. This question allows you to gauge the candidate's experience and skills in managing these processes.

Can you discuss your experience in the development and implementation of finance policies and procedures?

Finance policies and procedures form the backbone of financial management in any organization. This question helps you understand the candidate's experience in developing and implementing these crucial aspects.

How would you handle a situation where the company's financial results were not meeting expectations?

This question helps you assess the candidate's problem-solving skills, their ability to handle pressure, and their approach to overcoming challenges.

How do you manage financial crisis or company downturn?

Financial crises are inevitable in business. This question allows you to understand the candidate's crisis management skills and their approach to managing downturns.

What role do you think the Head of Finance and Treasury plays in a company's growth and success?

This question allows you to gauge the candidate's understanding of the role and its importance in the organization's growth and success.

Can you describe your experience in managing investor relations?

Investor relations is a key aspect of the role. This question gives you an insight into the candidate's experience and skills in managing relationships with investors.

Do you have any certifications or qualifications relevant to this role?

Finally, this question allows you to assess the candidate's qualifications and certifications, which can be indicative of their knowledge and commitment to the field.