Warrington Foodbank Trustee - Treasurer

Overview of the role

Warrington Foodbank are seeking someone with financial experience to join the board as a trustee, who will be able to lead on financial matters, ensuring we meet our financial obligations and help us build a sound financial strategy as we move forward. This role involves leading on the financial affairs of the food bank and ensuring that they are conducted within the required legal, accounting, and good practice frameworks.

Responsibilities

As a trustee you will share collective responsibility for the governance of the food bank and all decisions made by the board, ensuring the organisation is well run, fulfils its mission, is compliant with charity law and that the charity is open and accountable. It is also the responsibility of the treasurer to work in partnership with the chairperson and other trustees to ensure the financial viability and development of the organisation.

Key tasks:

• Work with a chartered accountant an opertions team to ensure smooth running of financial matters

• ensure the Board of Trustees fulfils its financial responsibilities

• ensure that the food bank has proper systems for budgeting, financial control, insurance and reporting 

• inform the trustee board members of the finances of the food bank by written report, at least on a quarterly basis ensuring that the board have a clear picture of the financial health of the food bank

ensure that financial reports:

• are comprehensible and properly discussed at trustee board meetings

• are provided in the proper format and at the proper time, as required by the relevant charity regulator body (Charity Commission of England & Wales)

• have properly appointed auditors or independent examiners (on income over £25k)

• are reported on an annual basis at annual general meetings (AGMs).

Other responsibilities, along with the Board of Trustees, include:

• to approve, support and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives 

• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk, and not over-commit the charity

• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate

• to ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled appropriately

• To ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, and progress is evaluated

• to review and approve financial statements 

• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries

• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection

• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.

About you:

We are looking for people who want to help their local community. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate: 

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of Warrington Foodbank 

• previous experience or an ability in:

  • financial accounting and reporting procedures

  • communicating financial information to those who may have little or no financial background 

  • keeping all financial records up to date 

• add any further essential qualities the food bank is looking for, to fit in with any strategic objectives the food bank may have.

Impact of your role

By leading on the financial matters of the food bank operation, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting, or anyone who comes into contact with, Warrington Foodbank.

Support

A full trustee induction is in place to support the prospective candidate within their role, as well as access to local voluntary action trustee training.