Treasurer (Trustee Role) – The Muscle Help Foundation

Posted on April 17th, 2019

OPPORTUNITY REF: Treasurer/V1/MHF

The Organisation    

The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) is a small, multi-award winning charity rooted in family values that nationally delivers transformational, highly personalised experiences in the UK called Muscle Dreams for children and young people (8-28yrs) with muscular dystrophy and allied neuromuscular conditions.

The Opportunity

MHF is looking to grow and strengthen its Board by seeking to appoint a < Treasurer > in the 2019/2020 period – please note, this is a Trustee Board position.

Role Description

Trustee – the role of a Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) Trustee is to provide strategic leadership in line with the organisation’s objectives. Trustees will use their knowledge, skills and experience to ensure that MHF achieves its charitable objectives, representing the interests of all stakeholders and act as ambassadors for the charity. For more detailed information on the Trustee role, see Appendix 1.

Treasurer role – the Treasurer is a Trustee with a specific role on the board (although has no more liability than any other Trustee.  He or she is ‘a watchdog, not a bloodhound’, in what is a slightly less onerous role than an auditor, taking the lead on:

• making sure the charity keeps proper accounts
• reviewing the charity’s financial performance
• drawing up or reviewing policies for finance and investment
• ensuring that the charity has robust and effective financial controls in place
• liaising with the bookkeeper and/or with the charity’s independent examiner or auditor

Key Responsibilities

1. Oversee all financial aspects of the charity, on behalf of the board of trustees, to secure its short and long term viability, reporting to the board on any matters requiring their attention or decision
2. Assist the Chair, Trustees and CEO in ensuring that the Board of Trustees fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of the charity

Duties and tasks to fulfil – the key responsibilities

In partnership with the CEO, and Chair (as appropriate):

Strategic role

1. With the CEO, to determine the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning, ensuring that the charity has a clear mission, vision and strategic direction and is focused on achieving this
2. To advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans
3. To assist the board to manage and use the resources of the charity to optimise its potential
4. Act as a sounding board and “critical friend” to the CEO
5. To contribute to the fundraising strategy of the charity

Control environment role

1. To ensure that the charity, and its representatives, function within all legal and regulatory requirements applicable, and in line with the organisation’s governing document, continually striving for best practice in governance
2. To take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be a material risk to the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties
3. To review the robustness of systems in place for internal financial control (proportionate to the size of the charity) and the protection of the charity’s funds and assets
4. To support the CEO, delegate to him/her the management of the charity and to ensure annual salary review and succession planning is in place
5. To identify and bring to the attention of the Board, any financial risks facing the charity
6. To consider whether the charity’s financial resources are sufficient to meet the charity’s current and future needs, to advise the Board on its reserves policy, and to monitor that this policy is reviewed and acted upon by the board regularly
7. To consider whether there is any conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity

Accounting role

1. To oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts and financial statements. Scrutinise the proposed annual budget, and advise and guide the board accordingly
2. To prepare and present financial reports at each quarterly Trustee meeting
3. To monitor that funding received for specific purposes (restricted funds) is separately accounted for and spent for the purposes for which it was given
4. To liaise with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters such as remuneration and expenses
5. To consider whether the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, e.g. the Charity Commission, and report to the Board on any matters requiring their attention/approval. In particular, financial input to the Trustees Report in the year end financial statements, accounting policies and notes to the accounts, monitoring for consistency and clarity around “public benefit” and transparency
6. If external scrutiny of accounts is required, to ensure that the accounts are scrutinized in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented
7. To make a formal presentation of the accounts at the AGM and draw attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way (using plain English)
8. Contribute and advise the board on decisions relating to accounting policies, in particular reserves
9. Assistance with any financial aspects and/or queries relating to grant / Trust fund applications

Time Commitment

The time commitment required will be, on average, 6-8 hours per month

• The Trustee Board is required to meet once every quarter within the charity’s financial year [March-February]
• Trustees are encouraged to attend and participate in at least one Muscle Dream per year
• Trustees are required to attend occasional Trustee training and development and an annual review meeting, outside of the Trustee meetings

 Person Specification

• Passion, enthusiasm and time to dedicate to the role of Treasurer (Trustee)
• A good understanding of best practice in the charity sector on accounting, financial statements presentation and governance; and the ability to apply it proportionately to the size and risk profile of the charity
• A sound understanding of the differentiating factors in the charity sector compared to the standard profit-based business environment
• Previous experience of working collaboratively as part of a team, using sound independent judgement and collective decision making, with an understanding of commercial and non-commercial issues
• Ideally professional (ACCA or ACA qualified), or relevant finance and business-related experience and knowledge and the ability to demonstrate the necessary financial skills needed to support the charity’s professional interests
• Understanding of the context in which The Muscle Help Foundation works with its beneficiaries, the implications of safeguarding and a grasp of the issues that those with neurological conditions and their families endure
• Commitment to equality and diversity in working relationships with beneficiaries, other Trustees, staff, and other stakeholders
• The ability to think creatively and strategically
• The intellectual capacity to grasp issues outside personal experience and the ability to contribute to high level strategy development
• Skills to analyse proposals and examine and comment on their financial consequences
• A good communicator with excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills, able to both empower and challenge supportively
• Willingness to actively engage with contacts to further the organisation’s goals and to make new links for the charity

The Muscle Help Foundation is committed to providing equal opportunities for all irrespective of disability, gender, race, age, sexuality and religion

For more information about this role, please email info@musclehelp.com or call 01763 274658