Treasurer Board of Trustees

Do you have accounting or finance experience and are you interested in joining a board? We’d love to hear from you!

Indigo directly and efficiently connects volunteers with humanitarian organisations.

Our Mission is to amplify the efforts of our partners on their mission to aid displaced communities. Indigo helps hundreds of humanitarians put their boots on the ground each year. This means that dozens of projects have the vital support necessary to keep their programmes running and increase their activities. We make sure that more people, from more diverse backgrounds have the chance to volunteer responsibly – so that everyone benefits from a sustainable and inclusive change-making environment. Read more about us here & read more about the role below.

ROLE DESCRIPTION___________________________________________________________

Role Title: Treasurer of the board of Trustees

Location: Remote, within Europe, the UK, Bosnia or Serbia

Reporting to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Time Commitment: 4-6 board meetings per year, an annual strategy day as well as other activities between meetings as required by the role. The Treasurer is also expected to have regular contact with the Chief Executive and bookkeeper.

Duration: Probation period 3 months, including attendance at a board meeting. Minimum commitment 2 years, maximum 5 years.

Remuneration: The role of Treasurer is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

General Trustee Role: Below outlines the specific role of the Treasurer. It is essential that you also read the Advisor to the Board of Trustees role profile here which outlines your general responsibilities as a trustee.

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OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The treasurer will monitor the financial standing of the charity and report to the Board and CEO regarding cash-flow forecasting, income streams, outgoing expenses and the overarching strategic management of the organisation’s financial resources. They oversee the charity’s financial risk-management process and report financial health to the board of trustees at regular intervals. The treasurer ensures that annual accounts are submitted to all relevant regulators in a timely fashion and liaises with external auditors where needed. They also ensure that the organisation’s finances are responsibly managed for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the beneficiaries it serves.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Budgeting and strategic financial planning
  • Ensure all strategic plans are financially appraised and budgets are aligned to both short-term and long-term objectives each year.
  • Oversee planning/budgeting processes in participation with the Board and constructively challenge where required.
  • Suggest alternative scenarios while evaluating strategic plans as a part of the risk management process and as a part of performance and reporting scenarios.
  • Create greater transparency and accountability to improve resource allocation and charity’s image by adding specific measures as per SORP guidelines.
• Management Reporting
  • Ensure a high standard of management accounting is maintained.
  • Liaise with the Chief Executive and trustees to prepare and produce management accounts regularly ahead of quarterly board meetings
  • Effectively partner, support and act as strategic ‘critical friend’ to the bookkeeper (and CEO) on matters of financial planning, strategy, systems and risk.
  • Desirable: taking on some financial duties, such as preparation of reports.
• 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 and Senior Leadership Team.
• Reserves Policy
  • Maintain updated reserves policy and safeguard the organisation’s finances.
  • Keep the board informed of free reserves position regularly and advise them to cope with changing circumstances.
• Governance
  • Establish and build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive and bookkeeper, maintaining regular contact.
  • Lead the Board’s duty to ensure proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are controlled and economically spent in line with governance, legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Chair finance meetings and report findings/developments back to the Board of trustees.
  • Advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans and oversee the charity’s financial risk-management process.
  • Keep the Board focused on the realities of small charities and their limited resources (financial and human resources).
  • Lead in the development and implementation of financial reserves and cost management.
  • Stay up to date with Charity Commission guidelines and requirements.
  • Work within any agreed policies adopted by the Charity and ensure we are operating in line with the Charity’s constitution.

The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The treasurer may be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

TERMS

The charity’s Treasurer (and board members) will serve a minimum two-year term, maximum five-year term. The Treasurer has the right to attend any working groups or sub-committees.

PERSON DESCRIPTION

In addition to the qualities required of a Trustee of the Charity, the Treasurer must also meet the following requirements:

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of managing finances within a charity (or business)
• Experience of leading a team or advising others on financial, accounting and other operational issues.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Qualified accountant with demonstrated knowledge and experience of finance practices.
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.
• Knowledge of charity Statement of Recommended Practices (SORP).
• Competent use of IT skills.
• Proven ability to clearly and regularly communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board, Senior Leadership Team and other stakeholders where relevant.
• Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement.

SUPPORTIVE LINKS

The Honorary Treasurers Forum offers support and networking for those who take the role of Treasurer on nonprofit boards. They publish the free Honorary Treasurer’s Handbook. The Forum also run regular meetings, provide updates and briefings, carry out research and produce other helpful publications.