Treasurer

To apply for this role, please review the role description below and submit the URL of your Linked In profile or CV and a brief expression of interest (500 words) describing your interest and suitability for the role.

The Treasurer is a specialist advisor to the Finance & Audit Subcommittee (FASC) and to the Board. The Treasurer brings professional financial expertise to help ensure that the charity’s finances are well-governed, transparent, compliant and sustainable.

The Treasurer may be a Trustee or co-opted to perform the role in accordance with Articles of Association (27.1) and Subcommittees Policy (3.2). The Trustees collectively retain legal responsibility for the charity’s finances. The Treasurer’s role is to advise, support, and enhance the Board’s ability to meet these duties in line with the requirements and guidance of the Charity Commission, including specifically to:

• Help the Board ensure that financial information is sufficiently frequent, accurate and clear to allow all trustees to understand the organisation’s financial position.
• Help the Board ensure that internal financial controls are documented, reviewed and adhered to, including procedures for spending, authorisation, procurement, handling of cash, banking, etc.
• Help the Board monitor the charity’s position as a going concern, alerting the Board if financial pressures or risk of insolvency emerge.
• Help the Board ensure that there is no conflict in investments or financial activities with the charity’s objects, and that finances and investments are managed prudently.

The Treasurer should have:

• A recognised financial qualification (e.g. Chartered Accountant, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent), or significant senior experience in finance, audit, or related fields;
• Strong understanding of UK charity reporting requirements, auditing/examination obligations, regulatory compliance (e.g. Charity Commission requirements) and grant reporting, including knowledge of internal financial control best practice;
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, analytical ability and capability to communicate financial information in clear, accessible ways to non-financial audiences;
• Commitment to the vision and mission of the Centre and awareness of its work;
• Commitment to high standards of integrity, transparency, good governance, and to the Charity’s values.

Experience of working with NGOs particularly the Human Rights sector is desirable.

The Treasurer fulfils an advisory role and does not have any decision-making powers. The role has the following functions subject to the Board’s delegation, the Charity’s governing document, and any relevant subcommittee Terms of Reference:

• Financial Record-Keeping & Reporting
  • Review accounting records to support the Board’s oversight and ensure that they are maintained in accordance with legal requirements;
  • Review management accounts & financial statements prepared by staff (or external accountants), including comparison with budget, forecasts and past performance;
  • Support the presentation of financial performance reports to FASC and Board to ensure accuracy and accessibility and support informed decision-making by the Board.
• Budgeting, Reserves & Financial Planning
  • Advise on preparation of annual budgets, ensuring they are realistic and aligned with strategy.
  • Review and advise on policy and practices relating to the management of reserves (level of reserves, accessibility, and usage).
  • Advise on long-term financial planning & sustainability including with reference to organisational strategy and impact.
• Internal Controls, Risk & Compliance
  • Review financial controls and their operation (e.g. separation of duties, dual authorisation, proper bookkeeping, banking and cash handling, investment controls) to support the Board’s oversight and ensure they are appropriate and effective.
  • Advise on regulatory compliance: annual returns, filings, statutory accounts, etc.
  • Assist in assessing financial risks and ensure these are reported and managed.
• Policy & Governance Oversight
  • Contribute to drafting or reviewing key financial policies (e.g. finance & investment policy, reserves policy, risk policy, anti-fraud policy,…