JOB DESCRIPTION – HONORARY TREASURER

Position Title: Honorary Treasurer

Main purpose of role / summary:

The Treasurer has responsibility, on behalf of the whole council, for providing governance oversight of the organisation’s finances. The Officers have final responsibility for the organisation’s finances which are under the day-to-day control of the Chief Executive. The organisation is supported by its accountants and auditors, Rogers Spencer

In partnership with the council, the Treasurer is responsible for:

• Ensuring that the organisation complies with all legal requirements
• Oversight of the organisation’s finances and risk management
• Ensuring that the organisation’s finances are used in the best interests of members and in accordance with the organisation’s Objectives
• Managing, with the Officers, the council’s review of, and action related to, the council’s financial responsibilities
• Ensuring, through the Finance Committee, sound management and maximisation of budget and investments
• Working closely with and supporting the Chief Executive.

Main duties / tasks / priorities:

• Attend all council and General meetings, as well as additional training days or events
• Ensure the timely understanding of budgets, accounts and other financial statements for the council. Presentations to council will be made by the Treasurer
• Ensure that robust financial systems and controls are in place
• Ensure that accepted recommendations of the auditors are implemented
• Ensure that the organisation is well advised on the financial implications of any strategic decisions
• Ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the council on a regular and timely basis and meet the annual calendar of financial requirements.

Person specification

Key skills, attributes and desirable qualities:

In order to achieve priorities the Treasurer will:

• Have a good understanding of business finance, including profit and loss accounts, cash flow statements, balance sheets, statutory accounts and investments, although it is not necessary to have a financial qualification
• Understand financial accounting for non-profit organisations
• Support the Chief Executive in ensuring that the financial procedures manual, specifying accounting procedures and key internal controls, is maintained
• Chair meetings of the Finance Committee
• Attend a meeting with the Officers and Chief Executive to review the 3 year strategy, the business plan and budget for the following year before they are presented to the council. This gives the Honorary Treasurer an understanding of the overall financial strategy, including targets, any assumptions made, the money to be invested in recruiting and retaining members, the provision of membership services or other services, and any opportunities for cost reduction
• Attend a meeting with the Officers and Chief Executive to review progress on the strategy, the half year management accounts (including re- forecasts) and the year end management accounts, before they are presented to the council to give the Honorary Treasurer an overview of the organisation’s financial performance
• In consultation with the President/Chair, Chief Executive and Officers, adjudicate on any disputes arising from the organisation’s expenses policy (and referring to the Disciplinary Committee if necessary)
• With the Chief Executive, attend meetings with the organisation’s auditors as required
• Be available to and maintain contact with the Chief Executive as needed.

The position of Honorary Treasurer is voluntary, although reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the organisation’s expenses policy.

The time commitment is likely to be 16 days per year (3 council meetings, the AGM, 12 meetings with the Chief Executive and Officers and other ad hoc meetings as needed).

Autumn 2022