Treasurer - Surrey Youth Focus

At Surrey Youth Focus (SYF), we believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and have hope for their future – regardless of background and circumstances. We work with many different partners, including 80+ children’s charities, Surrey County Council, Districts and Boroughs, Health, Police, education, and others. Our work is as diverse as the vibrant communities we work in, which means we wear many hats – we cover children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, additional needs and disabilities, safeguarding, 0-5 years, families and early help.

Surrey Youth Focus has been in Surrey for over 25 years, supporting our members - youth charities and voluntary organisations such as Scouts, Guides, YMCA, Eikon, LinkAble, Halow, White Lodge, Surrey Cricket and many more

SYF is professionally run and the role of Treasurer is one of governance and oversight, not a hands on ‘doer’. Thus, the time commitment is not onerous. There are four Board Meetings a year plus the AGM. Furthermore, the Treasurer sits on the Management and Finance Subcommittee which also meets four times per year.

What skills do I need?

A broad outline of tasks and activities to be undertaken:

We have a highly experienced Finance Manager who manages all aspects of finance, so we are pleased to say that we are not looking for a hands on treasurer to roll up their sleeves. For good governance, we need a Treasurer operating at a strategic level to carry out the following:

· Contribute skills, knowledge and experience to the Board of Trustees' role in setting the strategic direction of SYF and overseeing the organisation.

· Lead in the board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements.

· Act as a sounding board to the Finance Manager when needed, including:

· changes to company/charity financial law.

· financial viability of the charity; ensure that the charity has an appropriate financial reserves policy in place and that the policy is implemented.

· risk‐management process is adequate and that the financial implications of risk are fully taken into account.

· Guide and advise fellow trustees in the board’s formal approval of the annual report and accounts.

· Ensure a high standard of ongoing financial reporting: proper accounting records are kept, assets are safeguarded and resources properly applied in accordance with the objects of the charity.

· Second authorise on-line bank payments

The Treasurer should have:

· Knowledge of charity SORP and impending changes

· Competent use of IT skills.

· Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board 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

Being a qualified accountant would be an advantage