The role of ILPA treasurer

ILPA documents

The post of Treasurer is a 3 year term

Role Summary

  • Monitor the financial standing of ILPA and reports to the Board of trustees and the Chief Executive regarding cash-flow forecasting, income streams, out-going expenses and the overarching strategic management of the organisation’s financial resources.
  • Oversee the charity’s financial risk-management process and report financial health to the board of trustees at regular intervals.
  • Chair the Strategic Legal Fund decision making panel.
  • Acts as an authorizer of financial transactions over £2,000 and applications to funders and ensure that annual accounts are submitted to all relevant regulators in a timely fashion.
  • Liaising with external auditors on financial issues and ensuring that the organisation’s finances are responsibly managed/invested for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the members.

Main Responsibilities of the Treasurer

In relation to Finance

Budgeting and strategic financial planning

  • Ensure all strategic plans are financially appraised and budgets are aligned to both short-term and long-term objectives each year.
  • Oversee planning/budgeting processes in participation with the Committee of trustees and constructively challenge where required.
  • Suggest alternative scenarios while evaluating strategic plans as a part of the risk management process and as a part of performance and reporting scenarios.
  • Create greater transparency and accountability to improve resource allocation and charity’s image by adding specific measures as per SORP guidelines.

Management Reporting

  • Ensure a high standard of management accounting is maintained in order to safeguard assets.
  • Liaise with Finance Manager and trustees to prepare and produce management accounts regularly.

Statutory Financial Reporting

  • Board level liaison with external auditors on specific issues in the auditing process and related board representations.
  • Guide and advise fellow trustees to formally approve the annual report and audited accounts.
  • Explain technicalities of accounts in plain language which is fully understood by the trustees.

Reserves Policy

  • Develop reserves policy and safeguard the organisation’s finances.
  • Keep the trustees informed of free reserves position regularly and advise to cope with changing circumstances.

Financial procedures

Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures and controls are in place, ie:

  • Cheque signatories
  • Purchasing limits
  • Purchasing systems
  • Petty cash/ float
  • Credit card transactions
  • Salary payments
  • Pensions
  • PAYE and NI payments
  • Others as appropriate

In relation to Governance

  • Lead the Committee of Trustees duty to ensure proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are controlled, invested and economically spent in line with governance, legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Chair the Strategic Legal Fund decision making panel.
  • Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans and overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
  • Lead in the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost management and investment policies.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Knowledge of charity SORP
  • Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board of trustees and other stakeholders.
  • Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement.
  • Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
  • Good communication and leadership skills

Desirable

  • Qualified accountant with demonstrated commercial awareness and knowledge.
  • Competent use of IT skills.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience of charity fundraising and finance practices.
  • Dedicated to the ILPA’s cause and objectives and willing to act as the charity’s ambassador to external bodies, charities and companies.
  • Skills and experience in one or more areas of non-executive governance and management e.g. strategic planning, business management, financial/accountancy, understanding of HR issues, experience of Trusts or other grant giving bodies particularly fundraising.
  • A team-oriented approach to problem solving and to management.

Time Commitment

The Board meets around  8 times a year and the Treasurer is expected to be available 6 times in a year     

You will be a member of a Strategic Legal Fund decision making panel which will meet 6 times in a year (these meetings can be attended remotely)

Attendance at the ILPA AGM held in November every year is essential

Location

Board meetings are held by Zoom at present due to Covid restrictions.