Finance Lead Trustee - play a vital role as a member of a small but dynamic and passionate Board

Leeds Mencap are looking for people who are passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities to join our Board of Trustees.  Like many charities we have been hit hard by the pandemic but have also found that new ways of working and greater collaboration give us the opportunity to support more people with learning disabilities in the future.

We are looking for people to join a team of 6 skilled and passionate Trustees at a time of uncertainty and change.  You will relish the prospect of getting to know the organisation and your colleagues quickly, grasping the challenges and opportunities we face and working together with Trustees and senior staff to provide strong and clear leadership to the organisation.  The immediate priority is to recover from the effects of the pandemic but we also have our sights on becoming a more inclusive and diverse organisation, extending support to more children and young people with learning disabilities and their families.

We are looking for people with a wide range of skills and experience and from diverse backgrounds and in particular we are looking for someone with a strong finance or accountancy background to fill the role of Finance Lead.

We expect a lot but the rewards are equally great.  You’ll see the difference you make in the children and young people who will develop and achieve beyond anyone’s expectations, in the parents who can draw breath and find some respite and comfort in knowing they’re not alone and being given practical and supportive help. In undertaking the role you will be working with a loyal and committed team who are aspirational about what we can achieve together.

Job Purpose

The Finance Lead Trustee role is vitally important to the charity.  While financial matters are the responsibility of all Trustees, it is beneficial if one Trustee who has a background in finance/accounting is able to understand the finances of the charity in more depth and to be able to advise, guide and reassure their colleagues on aspects of the charity’s financial management.

In addition to fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Finance Lead will maintain an overview of the organisation’s financial affairs in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements. The Finance Lead will ensure that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and report to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

Duties

• Scrutinise and present budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees.
• Make fellow Trustees aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting financial data to them.
• Liaise with and challenge where appropriate the CEO and Finance Manager in relation to the financial activities of the organisation.
• Lead in the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost‐management and investment policies
• Chair any finance committee in line with terms of reference, and reporting back to the board of trustees
• Take a lead in appraising the financial implications of plans and proposals.
• Monitor and advise on the financial viability of the charity.
• Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures and controls are in place, eg. purchasing limits,purchasing systems,salary payments. Act as a counter signatory on important applications to funders
• Lead for the Trustees on the appointment of the auditors.
• Board level liaison with external auditors.