Essential criteria

• You must be over 18 years of age.
• You must not act as a Trustee if you are disqualified under the Charities Act.
• You must not be employed in any organisation that would cause a conflict of interest with ASO. ASO will not consider applications from candidates with current employment in the pharmaceutical or food industries.

Remote

What will you be doing?

In addition to the general responsibilities of a Trustee, duties of the Honorary Treasurer include

Financial Governance and Oversight

• Maintain strategic oversight of ASO’s financial affairs and financial sustainability.
• Ensure that the Board receives accurate, timely and meaningful financial information to support effective decision-making.
• Oversee the preparation, approval and presentation of annual budgets, management accounts, financial statements and forecasts.
• Monitor ASO’s financial performance against agreed budgets and strategic objectives.
• Ensure that appropriate financial controls, accounting procedures and risk management arrangements are in place.
• Advise the Board on the financial implications of strategic decisions, projects and investments.
• Support the Board in identifying and managing financial risks.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure that financial records are maintained in accordance with legal, regulatory and accounting requirements.
• Work with the Chair, President, ASO Office and any external accountants or auditors to ensure timely preparation and submission of annual accounts and statutory returns.
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, Companies House obligations and other relevant regulatory standards.
• Oversee any independent examination or audit process and ensure recommendations are implemented where appropriate.
• Ensure that Trustee decisions relating to finances are implemented in accordance with the governing document and financial procedures.

Strategic Financial Planning

• Support the development of ASO’s long-term financial strategy and sustainability plans.
• Ensure that ASO maintains an appropriate reserves policy and regularly reviews its adequacy.
• Monitor cash flow, income streams and expenditure commitments.
• Advise on investment policies and ensure that any investments align with ASO’s charitable objectives and legal responsibilities.
• Contribute to scenario planning and financial forecasting to support future organisational resilience.

Income Generation and Sustainability

• Contribute to the development of ASO’s fundraising, sponsorship and income diversification strategies.
• Provide financial oversight of sponsorship arrangements, grants, conferences and other income-generating activities.
• Support the Board in assessing financial opportunities and associated risks.
• Work with relevant operational leads to ensure financial sustainability is considered in strategic planning.

Board and Trustee Development

• Help improve financial understanding and confidence across the Board.
• Support Trustee induction and ongoing development in relation to financial governance and charity finance.
• Promote a culture of financial accountability, transparency and informed decisionmaking.
• Contribute to Board discussions on governance, risk management and organisational effectiveness.

Reporting Responsibilities

• Present financial reports to Board meetings.
• Provide quarterly financial updates and commentary on financial performance, key risks and future projections.
• Present the annual accounts and financial position of ASO at the Annual General Meeting in a clear and accessible manner.
• Support the preparation of financial information included within the ASO Annual Report.