Treasurer

HMC delivers a free, weekly advice and support service for vulnerable migrants most of whom lack secure immigration status, have pending asylum claims, have insecure accommodation, or are facing destitution.  

Our staff team of 11 are dedicated to assisting our visitors in resolving immigration challenges, overcoming homelessness, access to health and other support services as well as destitution.   

HMC’s work is supported by over 60 dedicated volunteers, and we collaborate closely with several partner organisations to ensure visitors can access specialist legal advice and long-term support.  

We have a budget of around £450,000 a year and employ a Fundraising Officer.   
 

Being a trustee of Hackney Migrant Centre  

The trustees of Hackney Migrant Centre (HMC) play a vital role in the organisation. They are responsible for ensuring that that its services are maintained and developed for the benefit of its visitors, in line with HMC’s ethos and objectives.  

HMC staff are responsible for the day-to day running of HMC’s services, but trustees work closely with staff in discussing and deciding on policy issues, staffing developments and campaigning, overseeing finance and fundraising, to ensure that the organisation is financially sustainable and monitor the impact of HMC’s services.  

Trustees are encouraged to gain first-hand experience of the work of HMC, but regular volunteering is not a requirement.  

The Role of Treasurer 

The role of the HMC Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation’s financial affairs and ensure its financial viability. The treasurer will ensure that proper financial records are maintained and that accounting procedures are instituted and revised as and when necessary. Most of the day-to-day financial processes are performed by HMC staff, but the treasurer has a key role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Operations Manager to prepare and present financial reports and forecasts to the Board, give a view on the financial health of the charity, and make any recommendations arising from this.  

  In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the duties of the treasurer include the following:   

 Overall   

·       Overseeing and approving budgets, management accounts and annual financial statements, working with the Operations Manager and (where appropriate) our independent auditors.  

·       Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs.   

·       Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy.  

·       Ensuring that appropriate financial policies and procedures are in place and revised when necessary.  

·       Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s business and strategic planning.  

·       Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity.  

·       Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.   

·       Chair the quarterly Finance and Fundraising Sub-committee and where appropriate contribute to the Employment Sub-committee.  

·       Attend the quarterly meetings of the board of trustees and extraordinary meetings where the need arises.   

Monthly   

·       Initiating salary payments for staff each month (to be authorised by the Chair, Secretary, or other appropriate trustee) 

·       Authorising payments to suppliers and to staff and volunteers for expenses to be reimbursed (NB such payments will normally be set up by the Operations Manager; the authorisation request being accompanied by copies of invoices/receipts for expenses)  

Quarterly  

·       Supporting the Operations Manager to prepare and present management accounts to the Board on a quarterly basis, giving a view on the financial health of the charity and any recommendations arising.  

·       Spot checks on the financial records.  

Annually   

·       Ensuring that the annual accounts are prepared in the form required by the current Companies Act and the Charity Commission (NB our independent auditors support the treasurer in this role).   

·       Making a formal presentation of the accounts to the Board ahead of the annual budget being approved.  

·       Supporting the Chair and Board of trustees on annual pay reviews, considering affordability and benchmarking with other similar sized charities.  

Person specification   

 In addition to the qualities outlined in the person specification for a trustee, the treasurer should have:   

·       Financial qualifications or financial management/treasurer experience.   

·       Knowledge and experience of charity finance and associated matters – for example, fundraising, grants, and restricted funds. 

·       Knowledge of QuickBooks or a similar computerised accounting system. 

·       The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences. 

·       Be prepared to make unpopular recommendations to the board. 

·       A willingness to be available to staff for advice.