Treasurer of the Association of Charitable Foundations

About ACF

The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) is the leading membership association for the UK’s foundations and grant-making charities.

Driven by a belief that foundations are a vital source for social good, our purpose is to strengthen them to rise to the challenges of our times. We support foundations to be ambitious and effective in the way that they use their resources through the provision of policy and advocacy, research and information, and a wide-ranging programme of events and learning. Our 440 members collectively hold one third of the assets of the charity sector and give over £2.5bn annually. Together they cover the full range of foundations, from small to large, and operating in many different fields of grantmaking, including social change, the environment, research, education, across the UK and overseas.

Our work builds common understanding of the work and role of foundations, including with government, and enables our members to be more than the sum of their parts, collaborating and developing their practice, and navigating complexity in the challenges they face.

Our ambitions

This is an exciting time to join ACF as Treasurer, as we launched our new strategy in January 2023. Our vision for our sector is one of diverse, vibrant and effective foundations, working together for social and/or environmental good. Over the next five years we will support foundations to aspire to and achieve excellent practice; advance diversity, equity and inclusion for our sector and for ACF; strengthen connections across and beyond our sector; and sustain a landscape where foundations can thrive.

We are proud to have a diverse and inclusive board and welcome diverse applications from across our membership. It is an exciting time for ACF and this role offers a unique opportunity to play a central role in supporting the foundation movement to fulfil its potential for social good in our society.

The role of Treasurer

Role description

Objective

The Treasurer will oversee the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements, and report to the Board of Trustees at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation. The Treasurer will work with the executive to ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place, and are appropriate for the charity.

Practical details

Remuneration: The role of Treasurer is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable out of pocket expenses eg for travel or child care may be claimed

Location: ACF is located in London.

Time commitment: One awayday (10am-4pm) and three further board meetings per year (2-3 hours per meeting). Currently two board meetings per year are held in person, with the others taking place online.

The Treasurer meets quarterly with the Chair and Vice Chair, online for one hour, as the Officers Group.

The Treasurer chairs and is an ex officio member of Finance and Risk Committee, which meets three times a year, online, and once a year in person for up to 90 minutes.

The Treasurer also has regular keep in touch meetings with the chief executive and/or the resources team.

All of this represents an estimated 4 hours per month, although this will be condensed around meetings as noted above.

Length of term: three years with a maximum of two terms

Eligibility: In order to be eligible to serve as a trustee, the Treasurer must have a current association (eg trustee, staff member, etc) with a UK foundation that is a member of ACF

Reporting to: CEO and/or the resources team

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 10am on 27 of March using this platform.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in person at ACF's offices w/c 17 April.

If you would like to know more, or to discuss this opportunity, in the first instance please contact our Chief Executive, Carol Mack at carol@acf.org.uk.

Principal responsibilities

• Member of the officers’ group and chair of the finance & risk committee

• Advising the board on the organisation’s long term financial sustainability

• Overseeing and approving budgets, forecasts, accounts, financial statements and financial reports, and presenting these to the board of trustees after discussion with the resources team and the finance and risk committee

• Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs and are within the charity’s objects

• Being instrumental in the development and implementation of appropriate financial, reserves and investment policies

• Overseeing the organisation’s approach to risk management

Main duties

• Liaising with the resources about financial matters

• Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place

• Advising on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans

• Chairing the finance and risk committee

• Liaising with the charity’s auditors where appropriate

• Liaising with the resources team to ensure that the charity’s annual accounts are compliant with the current Charities SORP and financial accounting standards

• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

• Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation, including our commercial partnerships

• Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way

• Sitting on recruitment and disciplinary panels as required

• Overseeing the organisation’s approach to risk management – including the register of risks

The above list of duties is indicative only and not exhaustive and the Treasurer will be expected to perform all such additional duties and responsibilities as are reasonably commensurate with the role both as Treasurer and as a trustee of the charity.

Person specification

Experience

• Successful experience of charity governance and operating within a board in a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation

• Experience of charity finance or accountancy

• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives

• A proven track record of sound judgement and effective decision making

• A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences

• Familiarity with the financial challenges and opportunities experienced by smaller charitable organisations

• A commitment to being enterprising and commercially focused

Knowledge, skills and understanding

• Commitment to ACF and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

• Preparedness to make difficult or challenging recommendations to the board, and a willingness to speak plainly

• Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis

• Good, independent judgement and strategic vision

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team