Treasurer

What will you be doing?

The Bus Shelter Dorset was established in December 2016, gaining charity status from March 2017. The Bus Shelter Dorset's ethos is rooted in the belief that by providing clients with unconditional, non-judgmental support and addressing their basic needs, it offers them the opportunity to reflect on their lives and aspirations to make positive changes. We believe that everyone has the right to a safe, warm place to call home, where they can receive non-judgmental, unconditional support and guidance to address their challenges. When ready, they can transition to semi-independent living and, ultimately, to independent living and employment.

We are looking to recruit a new Treasurer to join our Board. The Treasurer will focus on our financial and accounting controls as well as ensuring the ongoing financial security of the charity, reporting to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

Treasurer role

• Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management
• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity. Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with Chief Executive
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process
• Ensuring investments and assets are maximised
• Lead on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors
• Oversee the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating and reporting corporate risk
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies, for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the Chief Executive to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees

What are we looking for?

• A finance professional. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage. Otherwise, an enthusiasm to learn, drawing from sound commercial experience and an understanding of SMEs
• A background in Financial Management/Accountancy with experience in managing or being part of a finance team. Ideally a fully qualified Accountant, but not essential
• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity
• Clear communicator with the ability to bring the financial information alive to non-finance specialists
• Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, liaising with auditors
• Team Player: Someone with a collegiate approach who values collaboration, teamwork, and shared decision-making
• In addition to the above, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees

What difference will you make?

As a small charity The Bus Shelter recognises the great work, time and commitment of our Board. Our new Treasurer will have oversight of the financial health of the charity and ensure that procedures and controls are in place that will allow us to deliver our services.

Time commitment

Attendance of Trustee Board meetings. These are held quarterly with attendance in person (with the capacity of attending online should that not be possible). Meetings currently start at 3.00 pm, but this is open to discussion.

Taking into account the time to read board papers, prepare and attend meetings, the expected time commitment is 4 hours quarterly. Additionally, there is an annual Trustee away day which is approximately half a day.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Additional Commitment for the Treasurer

Before each quarterly Trustee meeting, the Treasurer meets with the Finance Manager, CEO, and Chair to review the charity's finances. This takes about 2 hours.

Before you apply

The TrusteeWorks Team at Reach Volunteering are supporting The Bus Shelter Dorset with their Trustee recruitment. Applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance. To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills and experience would add value to the board. Please send applications and enquiries to the email address provided.

Deadline: 10^th January 2025