About the organisation
Our Mission:
At The Spark, our mission is to ignite change. We do this by providing compassionate counselling and mental health support to individuals, couples, families, and communities across Scotland. We are committed to creating a safe space where people can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment.
Our Vision:
Our vision is a Scotland where counselling and mental health support is universally accessible, irrespective of age, gender, race, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, relationship status, disability, or financial circumstances.
Our History and Objectives:
Founded in 1965 and operating for over 60 years, The Spark is a highly respected Scottish charity dedicated to improving mental health, emotional wellbeing, and relationships across the nation. The Spark delivers accessible, high-quality therapeutic services, supporting thousands of children, young people, adults, couples, and families each year towards healthier, happier lives through counselling, psychoeducational group work, and workshops.
Partnership working is central to our delivery model: we collaborate with local authorities, schools, businesses and charities providing counselling services to pupils, apprentices, employees, and vulnerable clients.
As a BACP and Qualifications Scotland approved training centre, we not only support individuals directly but also train the next generation of counsellors and mental health professionals.
About the role
We are seeking a dedicated Finance Trustee to join our Board and play a pivotal role in ensuring The Spark is well-governed, financially stable, and successfully meets its charitable objectives.
Timeline & Commitment:
This is an ongoing volunteer Board position. Trustees are elected for a three-year term, with the scope to serve for more than one term. We ask that Trustees commit to this timeline to ensure continuity, with a general expectation of providing no less than three months' notice should you need to resign mid-term.
Meeting Frequency:
The Spark’s Board meets four times per calendar year. In addition to these quarterly Board meetings, the Finance Trustee will be required to attend specific annual pre and post-audit meetings with our external Auditors.
Key Responsibilities:
While all Trustees share a collective responsibility to ensure the charity complies with relevant laws, evaluates performance against agreed targets, and supports the Chief Executive, the Finance Trustee has distinct financial leadership duties. You will not be asked to do the day-to-day bookkeeping, but rather provide strategic financial oversight.
The Finance Trustee has additional responsibilities in terms of:
- Attending pre and post audit meetings with the auditors as part of the annual audit process.
- Checking the quarterly Management Accounts and the Audited Accounts.
- Ensuring that the non-financial Directors understand the financial risks.
Our ideal candidate
Our ideal candidate is a qualified finance professional who wants to use their financial expertise to make a tangible difference in the third sector. You should possess the technical knowledge to scrutinise financial reports and be comfortable analysing the broader strategic picture.
Essential Skills and Qualities:
- Financial Expertise: A recognised accounting or financial qualification (e.g., CA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent high-level financial management experience.
- Analytical Ability: Strong ability to evaluate and interpret complex management information, data, and financial evidence.
- Communication & Translation: The ability to explain complex financial jargon and financial risks to non-financial Board members clearly and concisely.
- Strategic Vision & Judgement: Good, independent judgement with the ability to think creatively about financial sustainability and organisational growth.
- Constructive Challenger: A willingness to speak your mind and the ability to challenge current thinking, governance methods, and management in a constructive, supportive manner.
- Values-Driven Commitment: A strong commitment to The Spark's mission.
- Time & Dedication: A genuine willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to prepare for and attend Board meetings and audit meetings.
- Team Player: An ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary Board.
Desirable Skills and Qualities:
- Prior experience serving on a charity board, or an understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
- Knowledge of charity finance regulations, including the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice).
- Experience in strategic risk management and mitigating organisational risks.
What’s in it for you
Volunteering as a Finance Trustee with The Spark is an incredibly rewarding way to leverage your professional skills for profound social impact.
Make a Tangible Impact:
By ensuring the financial stability and good governance of The Spark, you are directly enabling our frontline services. Your financial oversight ensures that we can keep our doors open to the thousands of children and young people we support in schools each year, and the countless individuals, couples, and families who rely on our individual and relationship counselling.
Professional Development & New Skills:
This role is an excellent opportunity to build your CV with high-level, strategic Board experience. If you are used to working purely within a finance team, this role will uniquely hone your communication and leadership skills, as you will be tasked with translating complex financial data for non-financial Directors. You will also gain deep, practical exposure to charity governance, third-sector accounting (including Charity SORP), and the strategic management of a national organisation.
Networking Opportunities:
You will be joining a dynamic, multidisciplinary Board of Trustees and working closely with our Chief Executive. You will regularly interface with external auditors and potentially other stakeholders in the Scottish third sector.
Apply for the role
Please provide a short cover note setting out your motivations for volunteering for the organisation, any relevant skills/experience and why you think you might be a suitable candidate.
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