Treasurer Trustee

The Caroline Walker Trust is entering a new phase with several projects and publications being launched in spring 2023.  To support the brilliant efforts of our Board of Trustees and various committees, we are looking for a new Treasurer.  The candidate needs to be a qualified accountant with experience in charity accounts and preferably past fundraising and fund application experience.

To apply, please send your CV to [email protected] with a covering letter outlining your financial expertise, charity experience and any interests in public health nutrition not otherwise mentioned in your CV.

The role, responsibilities and Person Specification is outlined below:

Trustee Role, Responsibilities and Person Specification

Financial Oversight
Overview of Trust
Salary: Voluntary/unpaid. Expenses incurred while travelling to meetings.
Hours: 4 – 6 Board meetings a year.  Ad hoc committee meetings.
Tenure:  2 years, eligible for a further tenure.
Location: Central London

The Object of the Charity: to promote public health and in particular (though without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) to protect the quality of food for the public benefit.

The role of the Board of Trustees

• To promote and administer the charitable object above by the specific powers outlined in the governing document.
• To receive assets from donors, safeguard them and apply them to the charitable purposes of The Caroline Walker Trust (CWT).
• To keep proper accounts of all monies received and paid for on behalf of the Charity.
• To make regulations for the management of the Charity and an awards scheme.
• To assess the changing environment and approve the organisation’s strategic direction.
• To keep a record of the proceeding of the Trustee’s meetings where decisions have been made.
• The Board must always act in the best interest of the trust.
• The Board must act as a group and not as individuals, making decisions as a collective.

Duties of a Caroline Walker Trustee (Treasury)

• To ensure the CWT complies with its governing document, charity law and other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To ensure the CWT pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• To ensure the CWT applies its resources exclusively in the pursuance of its objects.
• To contribute actively to the board of trustees by giving firm strategic direction to the CWT, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• To safeguard the good name and values of the CWT.
• To ensure the Financial Stability of the CWT by being certain that the finances are adequate for its current needs and its short to medium-term strategy.
• To approve major policies, major actions of the organisation such as capital expenditure and major changes in activities and services.
• Each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guiding new initiatives, evaluating or offering advice on other areas, such as finance, marketing, law or public relations in which the trustee has particular expertise.

In the case of a person with treasury expertise, the Trustee is also expected to;

• Present budgets, accounts and financial reports to the board for approval.
• Ascertain whether the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs.
• Ensure the appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Liaising with any contractors, stakeholders, sponsors, corporate donors and financial institutions about financial matters.
• Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans.
• Ensuring the organisation is compliant with legislation and charity commission regulations.
• Ensuring the annual accounts are prepared, presented to the board and received by the external examiner prior to lodging with the charity commission.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation.

Minimum Time Commitment

• Trustees are expected to read over the induction pack before their first board meeting.
• Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings. Board meetings are held 4 – 6 times a year after regular office hours.  Board meetings last for approximately two hours.
• Meeting dates are arranged four months in advance.
• Trustees may be asked to join one of the committees, including audit and strategy along with acting as a financial spokesperson for PR and fundraising.
• Trustees from an accountancy background are expected to take part in advising and updating our money giving pages, budgets and sponsorship documents.
• Trustees can claim out of pocket expenses incurred in travelling to meetings.

Person Specification

• A commitment to the objectives and aims of the CWT.
• A willingness to attend board meetings and ad hoc committee meetings.
• Integrity and strategic foresight.
• Good, independent judgement without conflict of interest or self-interest.
• A willingness to speak your mind and to challenge any information put forward.
• Provide candid and constructive criticism, advice, comments and praise.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to make collective decisions for the good of the Trust.
• Previous Board experience.

In addition to the above, we are seeking someone with

• Accountancy qualifications and experience.
• Experience with SORP and financial regulations for charitable/non-profit organisations.
• Ideally a Chartered Accountant status, or at least a studying member of a relevant professional accountancy body.
• The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
• Past experience with fundraising and funding applications.
• Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board.
• Demonstrated leadership and management, communication and presentation skills.

 

Apply by email to [email protected]