Volunteer Treasurer

**About the Role**:
The Welcome (Knutsford) Ltd; is a registered charity community café and support centre for over 2000 people living in Longridge and Shaw Heath in Knutsford, the estates were built in the 1960's as overspill for the Manchester slums, these areas are now a pocket of deprivation presenting high levels of socioeconomic challenges in the town which is otherwise an affluent area.

The charity has an annual income of 210k, 4 FTE staff, and 25 volunteers.

The Treasurer plays a vital role in ensuring the financial health and well-being of our registered charity. You will be responsible for overseeing the financial management practices, safeguarding our assets, and providing financial guidance to the Board of Trustees. This is a voluntary/trustee position (depending on your charity).

**Responsibilities**:

- **Financial Oversight**:

- Maintain an overview of the charity's financial affairs, ensuring its financial viability and solvency.
- Oversee the preparation of budgets, financial statements, and reports in accordance with legal and accounting requirements (Charity Commission and Companies Act 2006).
- Liaise with auditors/independent examiners as necessary.
- Implement sound financial policies and robust financial management systems.
- **Reporting and Analysis**:

- Present financial reports and analyses to the Board of Trustees at regular meetings.
- Monitor and advise on the charity's financial health and risk management.
- **Financial Management**:

- Oversee bookkeeping and record-keeping practices, ensuring they are accurate and compliant.
- Authorise payments and manage bank accounts (may require co-signing).
- Develop and implement internal controls to safeguard the charity's assets.

**Skills and Experience**:

- Strong understanding of financial management principles.
- Experience in preparing budgets and financial statements.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret financial data and communicate complex information clearly.
- Experience working with charity regulations (a plus).

**Desirable Skills**:

- Experience working in the charity sector.
- Knowledge of fundraising best practices.
- Experience using accounting software packages.

**Benefits**:

- The opportunity to make a real difference to a worthy cause.
- Gain valuable experience in financial management within the charity sector.
- The satisfaction of contributing to the success of the charity.

**To Apply**:
Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

The main responsibilities of a Treasurer for a registered charity can be broken down into three key areas:

- **Financial Oversight**:

- Ensuring the charity's financial health and sustainability.
- Overseeing budgeting, financial statements, and reports compliance (Charity Commission, Companies Act).
- Liaising with auditors and implementing sound financial practices.
- Monitoring and advising on financial risks.
- **Reporting and Analysis**:

- Presenting financial information to the Board of Trustees regularly.
- Analysing the charity's financial health and risk factors.
- **Financial Management**:

- Overseeing bookkeeping and record-keeping for accuracy and compliance.
- Authorizing payments and managing bank accounts (potentially with co-signing).
- Developing internal controls to safeguard the charity's assets.

**Treasurer of a registered charity legal responsibilities**

As a Treasurer of a registered charity, you hold important legal responsibilities. These stem from your role as a trustee, and can be broadly categorized into two areas:

- **Duty to the Charity**:

- **Act in the Charity's Best Interests**: This is the core principle. Your decisions and actions should solely benefit the charity's purpose, not personal gain or external pressures.
- **Financial Prudence**: You are responsible for safeguarding the charity's financial resources. This includes proper budgeting, spending within means, and preventing financial mismanagement.
- **Compliance with Law and Charity Commission Regulations**: You must ensure the charity operates within the legal framework and adheres to reporting requirements set by the Charity Commission. This includes filing annual returns and maintaining accurate financial records.
- **Personal Liability (in extreme cases)**:
While rare, there are situations where a Treasurer could be held personally liable:

- **Breach of Duty**: If your actions cause financial loss to the charity due to negligence, recklessness, or wilful misconduct, you could be held personally liable.
- **Debts of the Charity**: In very specific circumstances, if the charity folds and cannot meet its debts, trustees (including the Treasurer) may be held liable in some situations (this is highly unlikely).

**Protecting Yourself**:

- **Seek Clarification**: If unsure about any financial decisions or procedures, seek professional advice from an accountant or the Charity Commission.
- **Maintain