Volunteer Treasurer

FEAST With Us (FEAST) is a charity based in North London which aims to improve nutrition and build community with vulnerable people and reduce food waste. FEAST’s vision is Feeding and Empowering All Sustainably Together. We achieve this by providing regular access to nutritious community meals and nutrition education and cooking skills, for vulnerable people experiencing food poverty. With the support of volunteers and the participation of vulnerable people, we cook and serve community meals in homeless shelters and community venues across Barnet, Islington, and Camden, using surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away. 

FEAST With Us are seeking a new Treasurer to bring sound financial experience to our Board and oversee the new CEO and operations manager. We hold Board meetings every 2 months, either online or in person in central London, and participate in workshops with the operational team 2-4 times a year. We have an annual income of c£300k p/a and a team of 11.

Treasurer Role Description

General Responsibilities as a Trustee: 

• Take overall legal responsibility for FEAST’s work 
• Ensure compliance with charitable governing document, and the law 
• Ensure financial stability, effective financial controls and proper investment of FEAST’s funds 
• Actively contribute to the board of trustees in giving firm strategic direction to FEAST: overall policy setting, developing the strategy, goal and target setting, and evaluate performance against targets, budgets, plans and charitable objectives 
• Draw up and monitor the implementation of policies by FEAST staff, including equality and diversity, safeguarding, health and safety, grievance and disciplinary policies 
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of FEAST  
• Act in the best interests of FEAST, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times 
• Declare any personal conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee 
• Abide by the equalities policy and be inclusive  
• Safeguard the good name and values of FEAST, and act as an ambassador for FEAST 
• Jointly with other trustees, hold the charity "in trust" for current and future beneficiaries 
• Collaborate with and support trustees to act as a single body 
• Represent FEAST at functions and proactively seek opportunities for FEAST 
• Maintain absolute confidentiality about all aspects of the trustees’ business, bearing in mind the over-riding legal obligations placed upon trustees 
• Volunteer without salary and claim out-of-pocket expenses as necessary 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Monitor the financial standing of the charity and report to the Board 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; propose mitigation strategies as needed 
• Act as a counter signatory on cheques and applications to funders and ensure that annual accounts are submitted to all relevant regulators in a timely fashion 
• Liaise with external accountants on financial issues and ensure that the organisation’s finances are responsibly managed/invested for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the beneficiaries it serves 
• Work with the CEO and Operations Manager to implement appropriate financial systems, controls, policies and processes 

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 Board 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 the CEO / Operations Manager, Chair and trustees to prepare and produce management accounts regularly 

Statutory Financial Reporting 

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

Reserves Policy 

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

In relation to Governance:  

• Lead the Board’s 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 finance committees in line with standing orders and terms of reference and reporting findings/developments back to the Board of trustees 
• Advise 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 

Time Commitment: 

• Attend trustee board meetings every two months (50% online, 50% in-person in London) - 1.5 hours each 
• Attend annual AGM and three quarterly in-person team meetings with all staff and trustees – 3.5 hours each 
• Maintain email correspondence with trustees and staff in between meetings 
• Hold regular meetings with the Chair and CEO / Operations Manager 
• Attend FEAST sessions as available quarterly, as is feasible 
• Estimated overall time approximately 1-2 days per month 

Experience / Knowledge: 

ESSENTIAL 

• A strong and visible passion and commitment to FEAST, its vision, mission and values 
• Exhibit inter-personal and relationship-building abilities - comfortable in an ambassadorial role 
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively 
• Willingness to learn about the charity, the Board and the work 
• Ability to commit time to the role, including travel and attending events out of business hours 
• Qualified accountant with demonstrated commercial awareness and knowledge 
• Knowledge of charity SORP and impending changes 
• Competent use of accounting software solutions, including Xero 
• 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 
• Ability to work collaboratively and supportively as part of a small team 

DESIRABLE 

• Worked in or supported not-for-profit organisations or community-led projects  
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of charity fundraising and finance practices 
• Dedicated to the organisation’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 and legal knowledge 
• A team-oriented approach to problem solving and to management