Treasurer, Friends for Life Bedfordshire

Friends for Life provides a unique befriending service to enrich the lives of lonely, socially isolated residents in Bedford’s care homes.

We are seeking a committed and suitably experienced individual to join us as our treasurer.

What you will be doing

As treasurer, you will play a vital role in maintaining effective oversight of the charity’s finances, ensuring best use of our financial resources, and helping to ensure long‑term sustainability as we grow our reach and impact. You’ll also be actively involved in updating our financial systems and processes, and have the opportunity to shape how the treasurer role is delivered and improve the effectiveness of the service provided.

Key responsibilities

• Delivery of day‑to‑day financial duties such as bookkeeping, budgeting, preparation of reports, settlement of invoices and payment of staff and volunteer expenses.
• Oversight of the charity’s bank account, maintaining accurate records of all transactions and regular reconciliation.
• Setting up online monthly staff salary payments, sending monthly staff PAYE and NIC deductions to HMRC.
• Claiming gift aid from HMRC, and submitting a corporation tax return as required.
• Presenting monthly financial reports to the board in a format that helps the board understand the charity’s financial position.
• Preparing the annual accounts in accordance with SORP guidelines and overseeing their independent examination.
• Submitting annual accounts, reports and returns to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Maintaining Trustee/Director records on the Charity Commission and Companies House portals.
• Providing financial data to the FFL Fundraising Lead in support of grant applications.
• Keeping up to date with relevant changes to Charity Commission and Companies House requirements, and working with the Chair and the Board to ensure compliance.

Qualifications

• Willing to make a long‑term commitment to the role (minimum of three years) and has the time required to fulfil responsibilities.
• Previous experience in a financial role, for example managing a budget, working with financial reports or record‑keeping.
• Experience using modern accounting software packages.
• High level of personal integrity and judgement, with the ability to take responsibility for significant areas of work and deliver to deadlines.
• Accuracy and attention to detail, aptitude for working with numbers.
• Confidence working with the staff team and with the Board, presenting financial reports and advising on financial implications of decisions.
• Ability to follow and apply the key rules, policies and procedures that govern financial management.
• Has access to own IT equipment and relevant IT skills.
• Additional relevant experience (not essential):
• Experience in bookkeeping or other financial functions, preparation of charity accounts etc.
• Experience in developing or improving financial policies, systems and procedures.
• Experience making a wider contribution to board decisions or other strategic functions.

Remote work

The role can be done remotely, but it would be an advantage if you were within reasonable travelling distance of Bedford. The Board has a mix of online and face‑to‑face meetings, and the ability to attend both would be helpful.

Location

Northampton, England, United Kingdom