Treasurer role description

Role summary

  • Monitor the financial standing of the charity and reports to the Board regarding cash-flow forecasting, income streams, outgoing expenses and the overarching financial strategy 

  • Update the board of trustees with a financial report at agreed regular intervals, at a minimum of every 6 months.

  • 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.

  • Ensuring that the organisation's finances are responsibly managed for the betterment of the organisation’s work and therefore the beneficiaries it serves.

Main responsibilities of the treasurer

In relation to finance

Budgeting and strategic financial planning

  • Ensure all strategic plans are financially sound and budgets match both short-term and long-term objectives.

  • Oversee budget planning processes in participation with the Board and constructively challenge where required.

  • Work with the Operations team on fundraising and expenditure strategies and policy.

Management reporting

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

  • Liaise with trustees to prepare and produce management accounts.

Statutory financial reporting

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

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

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

Reserves policy

  • Develop reserves policy and safeguard the organisation’s finances in order to maintain the “do no harm principle”.

in relation to governance

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

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

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

person specification

Essential

  • Accounting or financial experience

  • Competent use of IT skills.

  • Ability to communicate financial information in clear language to members of the Board and other stakeholders.

  • Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement.

  • Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.

  • A firm commitment to the values and aims of MASS Action, including the breaking down of hierarchies

Desirable

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

  • Skills and experience in strategic planning, business management, financial/accountancy, understanding of HR issues, experience of Trusts or other grant giving bodies particularly fundraising and legal knowledge.

  • A non-hierarchical approach to problem solving and to management.

  • Good communication and facilitation skills

Time commitment

  • The Board meets at least 2 times a year and the Treasurer is expected to be available 2 times in a year

  • You will be a member of a sub-committee which will meet as many times as you see fit.

  • Attendance at other meetings is optional 

  • You will be able to complete the above tasks consistently for the minimum period of two years

Expenses

  • The charity will cover expenses related to the carrying out of this role e.g. travel to and from meetings, costs of printing and posting documents and other reasonable costs

If you are interested in any of the above roles, we would like you to send us an expression of interest to the following email: mohua@massaction.charity

Please include as one attachment:

  • Your name and contact details (email, mobile number and address, ideally).

  • A maximum of 1,000 words detailing what you think you can bring to MASS Action through one of these roles, what you think you will learn through the experience and why you are interested in working with MASS Action.

  • A summary of your experience that you think is relevant.

  • An up-to-date CV.

All roles are on a voluntary basis and not reimbursed beyond expenses