About the organisation
At Waterloo Community Counselling, we are dedicated to providing accessible and affordable counselling services to individuals across London. Our mission is to offer life-changing talking therapy to all, ensuring that emotional distress and psychological suffering are not ignored. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality counselling when they need it, experiencing real relief and support.
About the role
In this finance trustee role, we are looking for a qualified accountant and member of recognised UK accounting body, so you will be an experienced financial professional preferably with knowledge of charity accounting. The finance trustee will be able to apply this strategically to support with budget forecasting and financial planning.
Specific responsibilities of a finance trustee:
• Support and provide advice on WCC’s purpose, vision, goals, and activities
• Oversee WCC’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored, and controlled effectively
• Review and approve WCC’s financial reports and statements
• Provide support and challenge to WCC’s senior manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
• Support the Finance Manager in ensuring trustees understand financial reports as it is a group responsibility of all trustees to understand and agree with the financial affairs of the charity
• Contribute to regular reviews of WCC’s governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect WCC’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests
Time commitment- approximately 10 hours per month
• Board meetings- attending four Board meetings annually (currently on Tuesday evenings). We alternate between meeting in-person at WCC’s office in Waterloo and online
• Sub-committees- we have two subcommittees (Finance & Operations, and Clinical) that meet in between Board meetings, with finance trustees attending Finance and Operations subcommittee
• Regular contact and discussion with WCC’s CEO and Chair on all fundraising plans including horizon scanning
• Two half day strategy days a year and training where needed
• Reading Board papers in advance, being involved in discussions, advising on specialist areas
• We hold an Annual General Meeting with all staff and members.
We do not expect you to have previous trustee or Board experience, we can offer a comprehensive training package when you join our Board, and you can gain firsthand experience and expertise in being a charity trustee. A commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing for Londoners is essential.
Our ideal candidate
Personal skills and qualities:
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion
• A strong personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
• Willingness to lead according to our values
What’s in it for you
WCC’s trustees play a vital role in making sure the charity achieves its core purpose and they oversee the overall strategy, management and operations of the charity. Your contribution to this will be invaluable, and you will help ensure that WCC has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. A charity Board role is a fantastic and rewarding way of allowing you to develop and hone your critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills.
Through a trustee role, you can gain a clearer idea of your professional strengths and weaknesses whilst simultaneously learning new skills. Understanding how to adapt your professional knowledge to useful and impactful ends is a good reminder of your versatility, giving you confidence in your existing abilities while challenging you to push the boundaries of your expertise.
As a Trustee at WCC, you are part of a team and will have the opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience while also learning from others. You will be involved in a vibrant, well-regarded charity with a team of eight staff and around eighty counsellors and clinical supervisors, serving 500-600 people a year. We are proud of our linguistically and culturally diverse team of counsellors and psychotherapists (including trainees and qualified freelance counsellors), who work with diverse clients from all backgrounds.
Apply for the role
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