Traditionally, the role of the treasurer and of the middle office was the in-house policeofficer. The role of position keeping fitted in this domain. The treasurer may reduce losses according to how effective these risk management structures prove.
Thus, the treasurer acts as the paymaster and policeman of the modern corporation. This is a job function that is extended outside the traditional realm of accountancy. Where front office and back office controls have been exposed as being weak – the treasurer or the chief risk officer (CRO) must beef up risk management. The treasurer and the CRO are two different people, working in autonomous departments. The treasurer and the middle office are given their risk management role on these lines:
1. Risk analysis to evaluate risk scope and business objectives, determining potential sources of danger or risk.
2. Design the risk template, outlining the event, likelihood of the event occurring and the damage from the event. This forms a risk-event matrix or risk register.
3. Define the risk involved, the people and departments assigned to it, and how to solve likely problems.