Disability Snowsport UK – Treasurer Role Description
At Disability Snowsport UK, we are seeking a new TREASURER to join our board of trustees. This is a
voluntary role requiring a commitment of a few hours each month spread over different days, and
occasional full days spread throughout the year. The role of Treasurer will involve attending board
meetings (currently four per year) and regular contact outside these meetings with other trustees
and DSUK’s finance officer, general manager and CEO. The Treasurer would need to visit DSUK’s
office in Cairngorm, Scotland, periodically. This means that the new Treasurer should ideally, be
based in Scotland.
We seek an individual, professionally qualified in accountancy, who should be able to advise our CEO
and staff on efficient ways of producing financial information to aid decision making and control.
The current Treasurer, who retires from the Board in 2015, believes that the new Treasurer should
ideally have worked as a Financial Controller or Finance Director.
Disability Snowsport UK
Disability Snowsport UK helps disabled people get to ski or snowboard to a level of their choice. It
forms partnerships with other organisations with allied goals and signposts opportunities, and
specifically:
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Provides staff at indoor snow centres to provide beginners and others with lessons;
Has groups of recreational skiers around the country to provide the opportunity for regular
participation (with help provided where needed);
Organises activity weeks for disabled skiers to ski in resorts in Europe and North America;
Is responsible for the British Disabled Ski Team whose members participate in the Paralympic
Games
Turnover has reached around £1m in recent years, and in 2014 UK Sport announced funding of
£2.7m for the Pyeongchang Paralympic Cycle (2014-18) which will increase that figure.
Overall, the Treasurer will:
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Be a full member of the Board of Trustees.
Chair the Finance and Audit Committee – a subcommittee of the Board.
Lead, from a governance perspective, on the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure
they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.
Lead, from a governance perspective, on the identification and mitigation of financial risk
The Treasurer will be expected to:
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Make fellow trustees aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting
financial data to them.
Ensure that the financial position is regularly reported at trustee meetings.
Ensure that an annual budget is prepared and proposed for adoption at a trustee meeting.
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Ensure that longer range financial forecasts are prepared to assist with the organisation’s
long term planning.
Appraise the financial viability of plans, proposals and programmes.
Monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation.
Lead on appointing and liaising with auditors.
The following areas should be executed by competent professional staff in the organisation, and
overseen by the Accountable Officer, normally the Chief Executive. But our Treasurer should have
an oversight from a governance standpoint.
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Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.
The production of necessary financial reports/returns and accounts.
Specific qualities expected of the Treasurer
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Knowledge and experience of finance practice relevant to voluntary and community
organisations – and, vitally, to small businesses.
Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management.
Good financial analysis skills.
Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing.
General qualities expected of all trustees
Experience:
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Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and
colleagues to achieve organisational objectives
A proven track record of sound judgement and effective decision making
A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
A track record of commitment to promoting equality and diversity
Knowledge, skills and understanding:
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Commitment to the organisation and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board, and a willingness to speak
their mind
Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
Good, independent judgement and strategic vision
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of
trusteeship
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and Chief Executive
If you are interested in learning more, or in applying to be considered for the post, please contact
the current Treasurer, Paul Masters at Paulmasters@aol.com