Treasurer

Glasgow-based mental health charity Common Wheel is seeking a Volunteer Trustee Treasurer to join its Board

Organisation profile

Our vision is that people with mental illness in Glasgow can live a meaningful and satisfying life and contribute to society. 

Our mission is to improve mental wellbeing, increase skills and reduce isolation through the provision of supported, meaningful activities for people with mental illness and dementia.

Our values are Care, Equality, Positivity and Partnership 

We currently provide four principal activities as well as “drop-in” sessions at various Glasgow locations:

• Bicycle building, maintenance and repair at workshops in Maryhill and Bridgeton 
• Participatory music, in a variety of settings
• Carnival art – creating art in all forms. 
• Indoor climbing

 

We support people living in the local community, on hospital wards and in care homes. Over 500 people a year benefit from the work we do. 

We will have an annual turnover of just under £300K and a permanent workforce of approximately seven staff, supported by volunteers and freelancers who help deliver our programmes.

Who are we looking for?

This is a volunteer role joining the existing Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will be a full trustee and will provide leadership and assurance on Common Wheel’s finances, while sharing collective responsibility for the charity’s governance and strategic direction.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with financial management, accounting or audit experience. A recognised accountancy qualification is welcome, but it is not essential where applicants can demonstrate strong financial literacy, sound judgement and experience of explaining financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.

Experience of charity finance, governance, budgeting, risk management, reserves planning, payroll, funding or regulatory reporting would be valuable. The Treasurer should be collaborative and willing to work constructively with the Chair, Charity Manager, external Finance Manager, staff, trustees, independent examiner or auditor, and external advisers.

We welcome expressions of interest from younger candidates, women, people from ethnic minority communities, and disabled people, as we recognise our board would benefit from a greater diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Knowledge or experience of the charity or community sector is desirable but not essential. Direct experience of the issues our charity seeks to address is also welcome but not essential.

Role profile

As a trustee, the Treasurer shares the Board’s collective responsibilities and leads its scrutiny of financial matters. Key responsibilities include:

• ensuring that Common Wheel pursues its charitable purposes and complies with its governing document, charity law and other relevant legislation
• working with the Charity Manager, Finance Manager and relevant staff to prepare annual budgets, cash-flow forecasts and longer-term financial plans for Board approval
• presenting clear and timely financial reports to each Board meeting, highlighting performance against budget, cash position, forecasts, risks and decisions required
• helping trustees understand the charity’s financial position and the implications of strategic, operational and funding decisions
• overseeing the adequacy of financial controls, delegated authorities, banking arrangements, record keeping, fraud prevention and management of financial risk
• being an authorised user for banking purposes, able to deputise for the Finance Manager and other authorisers as required
• monitoring the charity’s reserves, restricted funds, income sustainability and use of resources, and advising the Board where corrective action is needed
• coordinating preparation and Board review of the annual accounts and trustees’ annual report, and liaising with the independent examiner or auditor
• supporting timely and accurate regulatory submissions, including annual returns and accounts, and helping ensure compliance with OSCR requirements, relevant accounting standards, tax and other applicable financial obligations
• contributing to strategic decision-making and working in partnership with the Project Manager and fellow trustees to achieve Common Wheel’s aims

The responsibilities of charity trustees in Scotland are set out in detail at http://www.oscr.org.uk/media/2728/v10\_guidance-and-good-practice-for-charity-trustees.pdf

Time commitment

Board meetings typically take place on a Tuesday at 6pm each month and last for approximately 2 hours. 

In addition, Trustees have historically taken part in an annual strategy development meeting, either at the weekend or extended evening session.

Trustees are also invited to join one of the sub-committees (currently focused on our bike project) or occasional working groups to suit their skills. These groups meet as and when necessary, at times to suit the members.

The Treasurer should also allow time between Board meetings to review management accounts, budgets, forecasts and year-end information; discuss material issues with the Chair and Project Manager; and liaise with the independent examiner or auditor. Additional time is likely around budget setting and preparation of the annual accounts.

Common Wheel is a small organisation supported by volunteers, so the Treasurer should be comfortable combining strategic oversight with occasional practical support, while respecting the distinction between governance and day-to-day management.

Expenses

All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.