Treasurer

The overall role of a treasurer is to:

• Maintain an overview of the organisation's affairs
• Ensuring its financial viability
• Ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.

In small charities without paid staff the treasurer may take a greater role in the day-to-day finances of the organisation.

General responsibilities

• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, community interest company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects (the community interest company must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are).
• To contribute actively to the board of trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• To protect and manage the property of the community interest company and to ensure the proper investment of the community interest company's funds.
• If the community interest company employs staff, to appoint the chief executive officer and monitor his/her performance.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each board member should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the management team reach sound decisions. This may involve:

• Scrutinising board papers
• Leading discussions
• Focusing on key issues
• Providing guidance on new initiatives
• Other issues in which the trustee has special expertise

Additional duties of the treasurer

• 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 community interest company 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 community interest company has an appropriate investment policy
• Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the community interest company
• Monitoring the organisation's investment activity and ensuring its consistency with the organisation's policies and legal responsibilities
• 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 cic regulator 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

• Commitment to the organisation
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgement
• Ability to think creatively
• Willingness to speak their mind
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

Nolan's seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

• Financial qualifications and experience
• Some experience 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 for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis

About the organisation

One Place London is located in West London and is a community interest company engaged in Acting for Film and Music Recording workshops for young people aged 14-25, unemployed or at risk of getting involved in crime.