About the organisation
2024/25 is a pivotal time for the Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) charity as it moves into its 21st Anniversary year and closer to realising its 657 mission. A family centred, multi award-winning charity, MHF tackles the isolating and all-consuming nature of the muscle wasting disease Muscular Dystrophy (MD).
MHF delivers personalised interventions across the UK, called Muscle Dreams, for children & young people (8–28yrs). Powerful physiological and psychological benefits that improve emotional and mental wellness. Restorative & uplifting, beneficiaries are empowered, from learning a new skill, to for example experiencing level flight or being a part of a bespoke programme, confidence is boosted, isolation reduced & social connection enhanced. In the words of one beneficiary, they ‘catapult them back into a life of possibility’.
Over and above fulfilling the fiduciary duties of a trustee, the treasurer is a key board appointment. Ensuring the finances and supporting financial control systems are kept in order, duties include overseeing MHF’s financial affairs, making sure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice. From keeping proper records & having effective financial procedures, to monitoring & reporting on MHF’s financial health, you will also liaise with MHF’s Chartered Accountants.
About the role
As the Muscle Help Foundation’s (MHF) treasurer, you will also be a trustee, fulfilling the usual duties of a trustee, however you will be asked to contribute additional support as a treasurer. Trustees provide strategic leadership in line with MHF’s objectives. Trustees use their knowledge, skills and experience to help MHF achieve its charitable aims, representing the interests of all stakeholders and acting as ambassadors for the charity.
The treasurer will maintain an overview of the charity’s financial affairs, ensuring its continued financial viability and that proper financial records and procedures are maintained. In line with the charity's objects, MHF operates a three terms of office framework, with each term being a three year period. MHF is therefore looking for ongoing support within this timeline.
Accountable to
The board of trustees are accountable to stakeholders including beneficiaries, funders, the Charity Commission and other regulatory bodies.
Working relationships
MHF’s Treasurer will work with and support the charity’s appointed chartered accountancy firm, book-keeping partner, the Chair and the Charity Secretary. MHF's current treasurer is also the charity's Interim Chair and as such, for the new treasurer, there will be a shadowing and eventual handover, allowing time to become familiar with MHF's operating procedures as well as working closely with the existing treasurer to uplift knowledge and learn about the charity's financial picture.
Time Commitment
· Time commitment required will be, on average, 2-4 hours per week.
· MHF’s trustee board currently meet virtually for 2hrs every two months, ensuring that at least six meetings take place across its financial year [March-February]
· Trustees are encouraged to attend and participate in at least one Muscle Dream programme per year.
· Trustees are required to attend occasional trustee training and development and an annual review meeting, outside of trustee meetings.
Our ideal candidate
Treasurer – Main Responsibilities
· Knowledge of overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements.
· Assure that the financial resources of MHF meet its present & future needs.
· Ensure MHF has appropriate financial policies incl Reserves etc.
· Experience in preparing & presenting financial reports / overviews at trustee meetings.
· Know how to ensure appropriate accounting procedures & controls are in place.
· Liaise with any paid staff (MHF has 1FTE) and/or volunteers around remuneration & expenses.
· Ability to advise on the financial implications of MHF’s strategic plans.
· Know how to prepare the accounts and disclose in the form required by the relevant statutory bodies, e.g. The Charity Commission
· If external scrutiny of accounts is required, ensure accounts are scrutinized in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented.
· Experience of keeping a board informed about its financial duties in a timely manner.
· Ability to be able to contribute to the overarching fundraising goals and strategy of the charity.
· Be comfortable in making any informal and/or formal presentations ref the charity's accounts when required, drawing attention to key points in a coherent and easily understandable way (using plain English).
. Experience of for example updating the Xero Accounting system and drawing down financial information.
. Being comfortable in running standard reports that could be shared on a more consistent basis.
. Experience with budgeting and projects, with understanding the buances of restricted versus unrestricted income.
. Presenting simple reports to the board re performance vs budget
. Confidence in assessing the charity's reserves position and making recommedations.
. Preparing forecasts.
. Ability to help provide sometimes brief but key financial information/metric to support grant/trust applications.
What’s in it for you
. Be part of an incredible team all rowing in the same direction. Contribute to the governance of a small, multi award-winning national charity. Have your voice heard and listened to. An opportunity to work closely with one of Britain’s most influential people with a disability (aka our CEO & Chief Muscle Warrior). Meet beneficiaries & families and by default, personally witness the impact of the charity’s work. Plus have strategic responsibility for a skill area ie. financial. Network with other like-minded individuals with common values. Receive induction, support and training. And so much more…
Supporting Trustees to help tell the charity’s compelling story
This is a key role that will help ensure that the charity can continue its support for its vulnerable community, namely children and young people (8-28yrs) with muscular dystrophy in the UK. The purity of MHF’s impact can be seen in these deep dive beneficiary stories that illustrate the transformative power of a Muscle Dream intervention. They also show the powerful relational and social connection value that exists with the charity. As ambassadors, and supported by the CEO, trustees are given the tools to help champion the charity’s story.
Trustees bring skills to help provide strategic oversight
As an MHF Trustee, this is a great opportunity to bring your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity in not only reaching its overarching goal to deliver 657 Muscle Dream interventions, but also be a part of shaping the ongoing future direction of the charity. 657 interventions delivered equates to one cherished moment-in-time that changes lives and gives hope, that’s one experience for every muscle in the human body. By the end of June ’24, it is expected that the charity will have delivered >553 Muscle Dreams, leaving a further 104 or so to go.
How will you benefit from bringing your gifts and skills?
You will have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
“Research is Creating New Knowledge” (Neil Armstrong, Astronaut & Lunar Explorer)
. Show us that you know us - why not check out website and find out about our vision, mission and values
. Visit the Charity Commission’s website where you can learn more about us.
. Why not formalize your curiosity by discovering more about what it is that drives the charity forwards.
. Remember, you only know what you know... thank you.
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