Benazir Parveen Abdul Nasser, CTP

CTP Profile: Her Entry Point to Treasury Was Technology

The path to a career in treasury is not always straightforward. When Benazir Parveen Abdul Nasser graduated from Anna University in India with a degree in computer science, corporate treasury was the last thought on her mind. And yet, her first job out of college was as a Systems Engineer with Infosys, an information technology (IT) consulting firm specializing in digital treasury solutions for banks.

While Benazir was unfamiliar with finance, she quickly immersed herself in learning the basic treasury concepts and functions, with an obvious bent toward banking. As she engaged with clients and performed her job requirements, she found herself forming a genuine passion for understanding the intricacies of treasury operations.

Seeking to expand her education and bolster her expertise, Benazir moved to New York state to pursue a master’s degree in information systems (IS) at Syracuse University. Upon graduating, she secured a position as a Financial Analyst with pharmaceutical company Viatris (then Mylan). Today, as Senior Financial Systems Analyst for Viatris, she is the IT business partner to the Corporate Treasury group, deepening her understanding of, and interest in, corporate treasury.

“When I first began in treasury, I faced a significant learning curve, especially since I was new to the corporate treasury domain,” said Benazir. “What I enjoy most about treasury is that the financial markets and regulatory landscape are continually evolving, requiring us to stay up to date on the latest technology, trends, regulations and best practices.”

Becoming an IT business partner

“Crucial to advancing my career in treasury,” is how Benazir describes her experience in banking treasury and her graduate degree in IS. “These educational and professional experiences equipped me with the essential knowledge and credentials needed to secure my current role,” she said.

The importance of having mentors and supportive managers along your career path cannot be overstated. For Benazir it has been her current manager and department head who have had the greatest impact. “They have consistently encouraged me to deepen my understanding of business processes and prioritize process efficiency, shaping my approach and perspective in the treasury field,” she said.

The daily aspects of being an IT business partner

If you want to become an IT business partner to corporate treasury, you need to be able to collaborate closely with clients to understand their business needs, obstacles and goals, according to Benazir. This includes performing needs assessments, evaluating current systems and procedures and crafting customized technological solutions to meet the clients' particular requirements and objectives.

Communications skills will also help you coordinate with internal teams and external vendors to deploy and integrate technological solutions, and oversee project timelines, budgets and resources to meet clients' expectations and requirements. Benazir said she is also responsible for reviewing the performance of daily operations IT support teams to ensure the SLAs meet business expectations.

The accomplishments Benazir is most proud of in her career thus far include leading projects in supply chain finance to unlock pockets of trapped cash, upgrading Viatris’ treasury management systems (TMS) to the cloud and successfully clearing the AFP exam to become a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP).

Data availability is an issue

Like many (if not all) treasury professionals, Benazir grapples with data availability and the capabilities and complexities of the company’s systems. The way she has handled this is to implement sound data integration tools in order to ensure seamless data flow and establish thorough and accurate quality assurance processes.

“Additionally, I am focusing on evaluating and optimizing our existing treasury management systems (TMSs) to enhance their capabilities, simplify their complexity and replace manual processes.” The end goal of this task is to streamline and improve the efficiency of the company’s treasury operations.

Future career goals and learning

With a passion for leveraging emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, optimize cash management and mitigate risks, Benazir has an eye to taking on a leadership role in technology innovation “in the next five to ten years.” To help her get there, she plans to further her skills in advanced data analytics and lean in to advancements in AI, ML and automation technologies that are relevant to treasury management. “Emerging technologies are crucial for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving field of treasury technology consulting,” she said.

Additionally, she would like to pay it forward by mentoring the next generation of treasury technology professionals, doing her part to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the organization.

Earning the CTP was a pivotal moment

Coming from an IT background, Benazir pursued the CTP certification to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of treasury, starting with the fundamentals. “Registering for the CTP exam and preparing for it was a pivotal time for me,” said Benazir. “Studying for the exam clarified many of the questions and uncertainties I had, providing me with a deeper understanding of the roles, responsibilities and importance of the treasury department within the organization.”

It also sparked her interest in discovering innovative ways to automate treasury processes, which would ultimately save her business partners time and money. “It empowered me to transition from a reactive IT enabler to a proactive technology partner,” she said. “With this knowledge, I was able to ask insightful questions that were previously not considered by our business partners.”

Benazir prepared for the exam by taking a preparatory class with an AFP-affiliated university partner. The group sessions and class tests provided her with a solid understanding of the concepts, and, after completing the course, she practiced the formulas daily, determined to understand the logic behind each one.

“This approach helped me to retain the formulas,” she said. Additionally, completing the in-chapter quizzes and mock exams on the exam prep platform served as an invaluable reinforcement technique. Benazir said the timed tests on the platform closely mirrored the actual exam pattern and provided a good gauge for how prepared she was to take the exam. Even today, “I continue to use the CTP study materials as my go-to resource for referencing any treasury topics.”

Without question, Benazir would recommend the CTP certification to others, especially those working in treasury technology or considering a career in treasury. “The CTP credential has enhanced my credibility and expertise in the field of treasury technology, opening up new opportunities for career advancement and professional growth,” she said.

Explaining the benefits further, Benzir said the CTP credential provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of treasury, and that, overall, it is “a valuable investment in one's professional development and can open up new opportunities for career advancement and growth.”