Treasurer of Age UK Brent Role Specification
Overall Purpose
The treasurer will oversee the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice
and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements and report to
the board of trustees at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.
The treasurer will ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures
are put in place, and are appropriate for the charity. The day to day running of the
finance function is delegated to the Director and the role of the Treasurer is to ensure
compliance and provide an overview rather than ‘crunching numbers’.
Despite the additional responsibility the treasurer will have in overseeing the financial
matters of the charity, all trustees continue to be jointly and severally responsible, and
therefore liable, for the administration of the charity.
Main Responsibilities
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to provide strategic leadership for the organisation by taking part in formulating
and regularly reviewing its strategic aims, setting overall policy, and evaluating
performance.
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to ensure that the activities, policy and practices of the organisation are in
keeping with its objects and aims.
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to ensure that the organisation complies with the legal and financial
requirements of a charitable organisation and its own governing documents and
strives to achieve best practice.
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to oversee, and present budgets, accounts, management accounts and
financial statements to the board of trustees after discussion with the Director
and finance officer and the Finance and General Purposes Committee, where
applicable.
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to ensure that proper accounts and records are kept, ensuring financial
resources are spent and invested in line with the charity’s policies, good
governance, legal and regulatory requirements.
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to be instrumental in the development and implementation of financial, reserves
and investment policies
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Main Duties
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Liaising, where applicable, with the Director and other appropriate members of
the senior management team responsible for the financial activities of the
organisation.
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Chairing Finance and General Purposes committee in line with terms of
reference, and reporting back to the board of trustees.
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Liaising with the charity’s auditors where appropriate.
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Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity after liaising with
the charity’s auditors.
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Creating, in liaison with the Director, sound financial instruments for the control
of charity assets.
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Ensuring, in liaison with the Director that specific financial controls and systems
are in place and adhered to.
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Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan.
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Liaising with the Director, where applicable, to ensure that the charity’s annual
accounts are compliant with the current Charities SORP.
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Maintaining sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring
expenditure is in line with the charity’s objects.
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Reviewing, in conjunction with the Finance and General Purposes Committee,
the charity’s risk register
Additional duties of the Treasurer (overseeing activities of the Director and the
Senior Management team to ensure the following duties are adequately
performed
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Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial
statements
Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present
and future needs
Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy
The preparation and presentation of financial reports to the board
Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
Liaising with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters
Advising on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans
Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy
Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims
and objects of the charity
Monitoring the organisation's investment activity and ensuring its consistency
with the organisation's policies and legal responsibilities
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Ensuring the organisation's compliance with legislation
Ensuring equipment and assets are adequately maintained and insured
Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by
funders and the relevant statutory bodies, e.g. The charity commission and/or
the registrar of companies
If external scrutiny of accounts is required, ensuring that the accounts are
scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any
recommendations are implemented
Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation
Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting
and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily
understandable way
Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required
Treasurer Person Specification
You should be able to demonstrate and provide evidence of the following criteria listed
under Part One within your written application. These will be tested further at the
preliminary interview stage, along with the criteria listed under Part Two:
The successful Trustee will be able to give evidence of:
Part One
1. Experience of board or committee membership, in a charitable, public sector or
commercial organisation. This could for example include experience of being a
school governor or committee member of a local group.
2. Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities
of trusteeship and an understanding of the respective roles of the Chair,
Trustees (including Treasurer) and Chief Executive
3. A record of proven and significant achievement as an FD in commerce, the
public or voluntary sector, a partner in a large audit firm or able to demonstrate
equivalent experience and skills and ideally some experience of charity finance,
fundraising and pension schemes
4. Proven experience of treasury, risk and reserves management, audit and other
corporate governance responsibilities
5. A proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team while contributing an
independent perspective
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6. A track record of contributing to and influencing the strategic direction of an
organisation and an understanding of the wider economic environment and how
this impinges on organisations
7. An understanding of and a commitment to the values of not for profit
organisations and Age UK Brent in particular
Part Two
1. An understanding of, and commitment to Nolan's seven principles of public life:
selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and
leadership
2. A proven track record of being able to process detail and get to the heart of an
issue
3. Confident and effective communication skills with a range of audiences
4. A willingness to devote the time and effort required to effectively discharge the
duties of this role
5. A willingness to undertake training as might be required
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