Trustee Vacancy – Finance Lead

Trustee Vacancy – Finance Lead

We’re seeking a new trustee with professional finance or accounting experience to strengthen our governance and financial planning.

We have advertised this opportunity through Reach Volunteering. To apply, please click the link below.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a Finance Lead to join our Board of Trustees, with experience of leading a finance/accounting function, experience of financial planning, risk management, how to make reserves work hard, and experience of managing loan finance and negotiation. 

What difference will you make?

As a trustee with finance or accounting expertise, you can help ensure our board can oversee compliance with charity accounting and regulatory requirements. You can helps us to be clear with where we are, where we’re going and, crucially, what we need to get there/how we can get there. You’ll bring a financial acumen we really value.

What will you be doing?

As a trustee you’ll have an essential role in contributing towards the future direction of Community Futures and making a real difference to rural communities, local organisations, and county-wide priorities to promote equitable access to services. 

The purpose of the charity, as stated in the governing document, is to: ‘Promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the communities in the County of Lancashire and elsewhere (hereinafter called the area of benefit) primarily but not exclusively by the advancement of education, research, development and training, the protection and enhancement of the environment, the preservation of good health, the relief of sickness and relief of those in necessitous circumstances.’

This year we’re expecting to enter a period where financial decisions will have a significant impact on future sustainability. Our Board currently has strong leadership experience but does not include trustees with professional finance or accounting expertise. There are also areas within our internal accounting and bookkeeping processes that would benefit from additional oversight and improvement to ensure compliance and effective financial planning. 

For this reason, we’re looking for a trustee with professional qualification or significant experience in finance, accounting, or financial management. If you have experience of chairing committees or boards, even better. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Chair our Finance Sub-Committee, including agenda setting and oversight of financial matters
• Advise the Board and CEO on accounting standards, financial controls, compliance, and risk
• Support improvements in bookkeeping, reporting, and internal financial systems
• Contribute to medium and long-term financial planning and pension considerations
• Oversee compliance with charity accounting and regulatory requirements
• Promote clear and accessible financial reporting.

Our board has a close relationship with our management team, and prides itself on being very friendly and relaxed. We hope the next three years will see advances in Community Futures mission. 

Before you apply

Desirable skills for this role include; experience of chairing committees or boards, knowledge of rural or agricultural business contexts, experience in strategic planning within small or medium-sized organisations, and experience of managing workplace pension arrangements as an employer.

Interviews will be scheduled directly with applicants. Interviews may take place either in person or online, depending on availability and preference. All confirmed interview details, including the format, location, and any preparation required, will be shared in advance. 

We will review all applications following the closing date. Applicants will be contacted for interview within two weeks of the application deadline.