About the organisation
Prevent Breast Cancer is committed to using science to save lives. Our mission is to make breast cancer a preventable disease for future generations by funding vital research into its prediction, prevention, and early detection, so that no one has to go through it in the first place.
Prevent Breast Cancer is located in The Nightingale Centre and Prevent Breast Cancer Research Unit in Greater Manchester. The charity raised £2 million for its construction, completed in 2007, and has since contributed a further £2.45 million to its operation.
The Centre houses the Greater Manchester NHS Breast Screening Programme and the Family History Risk and Prevention Clinic. It also serves as the base for several of our researchers, whose innovative clinical studies aim to more accurately predict those at increased risk of breast cancer, allowing preventative interventions to be offered to these women. Our home within the Centre ensures access to a diverse cohort of breast cancer patients, essential for advancing our research.
Primarily a research-focused charity, Prevent Breast Cancer supports projects related to the prediction, early diagnosis, and prevention of breast cancer. Since becoming a registered charity in 1997, we have committed £5.1 million in grants to clinical and laboratory research aimed at preventing breast cancer.
We have also invested £660,000 in the publication and dissemination of our research grants across the UK and internationally and a further £2.4 million in prevention education and breast awareness initiatives. Through these efforts, we strive to address health inequalities and enhance community health.
About the role
We are looking to appoint a new Honorary Treasurer to our Board of Trustees. The successful candidate will work closely with the Charity’s Accountant and Chief Executive. Ideally, they will be a chartered accountant with the ability to perform the following duties:
- Chair the Finance and Audit Committee
- Oversee, approve, and present budgets, accounts, and financial statements, in conjunction with the Charity’s Accountant and Chief Executive
- Ensure the charity’s financial resources meet both its present and future needs
- Ensure the charity has an appropriate reserves policy
- Ensure appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
- Advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans
- Ensure the charity has an appropriate investment policy
- Monitor the charity’s investment activity and ensure it aligns with the organisation’s policies and legal responsibilities
- Ensure there is no conflict between any investment held and the charity’s aims
- Ensure accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and statutory bodies (e.g., Charity Commission and Registrar of Companies)
- Ensure the accounts are scrutinised as required (audit) and that any recommendations are implemented
- Keep the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
- Present the accounts at the Annual General Meeting, highlighting important points in a coherent and accessible manner
The Board of Trustees meets quarterly to review the charity’s performance in fulfilling its objectives and raising funds for breast cancer prevention research.
As Honorary Treasurer, you will chair the Finance and Audit Committee, which also meets quarterly before the full Board meeting. You will also hold ad hoc meetings (in person or online) with the Chief Executive and Charity’s Accountant as needed.
Additional subcommittees you may join include:
- People Committee
- Risk and Compliance Committee
- Health Inequalities Committee
Each year, there will be an additional one-day meeting focused on strategic planning and a board effectiveness review.
Our ideal candidate
Essential
- Understanding of financial statements, budgeting, and financial planning. The treasurer should be able to interpret the charity’s balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow.
- Familiarity with accounting principles and standards, including Charity SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice), is important.
- Ability to ensure that financial procedures are followed and that resources are used efficiently. This includes overseeing the preparation of annual accounts and ensuring the charity meets its financial reporting obligations.
- Knowledge of tax regulations, particularly those relevant to charities (e.g., Gift Aid, VAT exemptions, and Corporation Tax).
- Ability to identify financial risks and propose strategies to mitigate them, ensuring that the charity remains compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
- Understanding the roles of trustees and the board in governance, with the ability to advise on good financial practices and ensure transparency in decision-making.
- Understanding the audit process, liaising with external auditors, and ensuring proper financial oversight of the charity's financial activities.
- The ability to present financial information clearly to the charity’s board of trustees, staff, and, where relevant, donors or funders, ensuring that all stakeholders understand the financial position of the charity.
- The treasurer must communicate financial risks and opportunities to the board in a way that helps them make informed decisions.
- Commitment to ensuring that the charity’s finances are handled transparently, with a focus on accountability.
- Maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive financial information.
- While financial expertise is key, an honorary treasurer should have a genuine interest in the charity's objectives and a desire to help it succeed.
Desirable
- Familiarity with charity law and the regulations governing the charity sector in the UK (e.g., the Charities Act 2011, the Charity Commission, and OSCR guidelines for Scotland-based charities).
- Ability to engage with auditors, funders, and possibly regulatory bodies to support the charity’s financial operations.
- Ability to contribute to the charity's overall strategy by providing input on financial goals and priorities. Helping the board balance short-term operational needs with long-term financial sustainability.
- Ability to work with detailed financial documents and ensure accuracy in reports, ensuring the charity’s accounts reflect the true position.
- Though the role is honorary, the treasurer should be able to dedicate the necessary time for the responsibilities, including attending meetings and reviewing financial documentation.
What’s in it for you
As Honorary Treasurer for Prevent Breast Cancer you will play a critical role in ensuring that funds are effectively allocated to cutting-edge breast cancer research. This has a direct impact on the potential to save lives, improve early detection, and advance prevention strategies. This role offers the chance to be part of something historically significant. Every donation, every piece of research, every grant funded contributes to a larger movement to eradicate breast cancer.
The role also offers the opportunity for development and growth. Managing the finances of a research charity requires understanding not just general financial management, but also how funds are allocated for research grants, ethical considerations in scientific funding, and compliance with research regulations. This expertise can differentiate you professionally, particularly if you have a background in health care or scientific fields. Taking on the role of treasurer also demonstrates leadership, financial expertise, and a commitment to social good. It would allow you to demonstrate that you are capable of managing complex financial systems, understanding specialized research funding, and contributing to high-level strategic decision-making.
Taking on the role of Honorary Treasurer for Prevent Breast Cancer will give you the chance to be instrumental in ensuring that the charity can grow, increase its impact, and potentially help accelerate the pace of research.
Apply for the role
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