Finance Trustee

Role Summary 

1. Monitor the financial standing of the charity and reports to the Board and CEO regarding cash-flow forecasting, income streams, out-going expenses and the overarching strategic management of the organisation’s financial resources. 

1. Oversee the charity’s financial risk-management process and report financial health to the board of trustees at regular intervals. 

1. Acts as a counter signatory on cheques and applications to funders and ensure that annual accounts are submitted to all relevant regulators in a timely fashion. 

1. Liaising with external auditors on financial issues and ensuring that the organisation's finances are responsibly managed/invested for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the beneficiaries it serves. 

1. Understand this is a voluntary post 

Main Responsibilities of the Treasurer 

In relation to Finance 

Budgeting and strategic financial planning 

1. Ensure all strategic plans are financially appraised and budgets are aligned to both short-term and long-term objectives each year. 

1. Oversee planning/budgeting processes in participation with the Board and constructively challenge where required. 

1. Suggest alternative scenarios while evaluating strategic plans as a part of the risk management process and as a part of performance and reporting scenarios. 

Management Reporting 

1. Ensure a high standard of management accounting is maintained in order to safeguard assets 

1. Statutory Financial Reporting 

1. Board level liaison with external auditors on specific issues in the auditing process and related board representations. 

1. Guide and advise fellow trustees to formally approve the annual report and audited accounts. 

1. Explain technicalities of accounts in plain language which is fully understood by the trustees. 

Reserves Policy 

1. Develop reserves policy and safeguard the organisation’s finances. 

1. Keep the board informed of free reserves position regularly and advise to cope with changing circumstances. 

In relation to Governance 

1. Lead the Board’s duty to ensure proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are controlled, invested and economically spent in line with governance, legal and regulatory requirements. 

1. Chair finance committees in line with standing orders and terms of reference and reporting findings/developments back to the Board of trustees. 

1. Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans and overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process. 

1. Lead in the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost management and investment policies. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

1. Qualified accountant with demonstrated commercial awareness and knowledge.
   
   
2. Competent use of IT skills. 
   
   
3. Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders. 
   
   
4. Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement. 
   
   
5. Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. 
   
   
6. Good communication and leadership skills 

Desirable 

1. Demonstrated knowledge and experience of charity fundraising and finance practices. 

1. Dedicated to the organisation’s cause and objectives and willing to act as the charity’s ambassador to external bodies, charities and companies. 
    
2. Skills and experience in one or more areas of non-executive governance and management e.g. strategic planning, business management, financial/accountancy, understanding of HR issues, an experience of Trusts or other grant-giving bodies particularly fundraising and legal problem-solving team-oriented approach to problem-solving and to management. 

Time Commitment 

1. The Board meets at least 4 times a year and the finance trustee is expected to be available at least 3 times in a year. If unable to attend they must make arrangements 

1. You will be a member of a sub-committee which will meet 2 times in a year 

1. Attendance at award meetings or fundraising meetings is optional