Honorary Treasurer

Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West (CASSW)

Honorary Treasurer

Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West is a medium sized charity providing information, advice and support across Stafford Borough & Cannock Chase. The central office is based in Stafford but we also have offices in Cannock, Rugeley and Stone.

With an income currently of just over £1million and a number of different contracts and funders, the role of Treasurer is a significant undertaking, but one that is both challenging and rewarding.

Our current Honorary Treasurer is stepping down after many years, and we are seeking applications to fill this role and someone who canhelp the service with its continuing development as a progressive organisation.

The organisation does have a small finance team who have day to day responsibility for the financial activities of the service.

The Honorary Treasurer role is a strategic position and not operational.

The Honorary Treasurer, who is also a Trustee, oversees the financial matters of the organisation in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements of the Charity Commission and Companies House. The Treasurer reports to the Board of Trustees on the financial health of the organisation and ensures that appropriate financial measures, financial IT systems, controls and procedures are in place, and are effectively enacted. As a Trustee the Treasurer has a collective Board-level responsibility for oversight of the charity.

Trustee responsibilities

The honorary treasurer will fulfil all the duties, obligations and responsibilities of a trustee. In addition, they are authorised by the trustee board to carry out additional duties as described below.

Main duties and responsibilities

·  Guiding and advising the board in the approval of budgets, accounts and financial statements, within a relevant financial policy framework

·  Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

·  Advising on the financial implications of the organisations strategic plans and key assumptions in the operational plan and annual budget

·  Ensuring that all board members have a clear understanding of the accounts presented at meetings and the implications that they reveal

·  Understanding the accounting procedures and key internal controls to be able to assure the board that the charity's financial integrity is sound

·  Overseeing and supporting the production of a realistic budget which meets all the organisation's needs and ensuring that there is an appropriate reserves policy

·  Chairing or being a member of the Finance & Resources sub group, and reporting back to the full board

·  In conjunction with the CEO and finance officer(s), monitoring the organisation's income and expenditure position, and presenting reports both to the Finance & Resources sub group and the board at least quarterly, in a format accessible to the board members

·  Overseeing to ensure that full financial records are kept for all transactions, and that proper financial procedures and controls are in place to safeguard the bureau's resources

·  In conjunction with the CEO and finance officer(s) ensuring that money received is only spent on the purposes for which it was given, and, where required, ensuring that reports and accounts demonstrating this are submitted to funders

·  Overseeing that accounts are prepared at year-end in compliance with the SORP Accounting for Charities and making arrangements for them to be audited or independently examined, as required by the Charity Commission

·  Overseeing that annual accounts are submitted to the Charity Commission and/or Registrar of Companies, within the deadlines set

·  Presenting the accounts at the AGM and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and understandable way

·  Liaising with the CEO about financial matters

·  Playing a key role in planning a clear fundraising strategy to raise money for future activities and developments

Personal skills and qualities

·  financial qualifications or experience

·  some experience or knowledge of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes

·  the skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences

·  preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board

·  willingness to be available to staff to provide advice and guidance on financial matters.

The initial term for a trustee is 3 years, but there are options for additional terms.

If you are interested and wish to apply, please contact: Sue Nicholls CEO

E:

T: 01785 283465