Treasurer
- Management Board
- Unpaid
- Hybrid: East Lothian
- Closing 3rd April 2025
- Advertised from 20th February 2025
Role
Established in 1936 and one of Scotland’s leading wildlife bodies, the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) with some 3500 members. Its purpose is to advance the study and appreciation of birds in Scotland by promoting their documentation, promoting interest in them, promoting their conservation, providing a focus for information about them and encouraging the appreciation of relevant creative arts.
The Club’s headquarters, which also feature a renowned ornithology library, wildlife art gallery and sales outlet, are in Aberlady, East Lothian. Fifteen nationwide Branches are led by members who organise events, outings and projects in their areas. Staff contribute a national series of events, conferences and training activities for members of all ages. Publications include the highly regarded quarterly journal Scottish Birds, mobile app (Where to Watch Birds in Scotland), regional bird reports, e-newsletters and other online media.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Treasurer is a key member of the SOC Council and serves as a trustee of the Charity, with all the associated duties and responsibilities. More details on these responsibilities can be found in the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) guidance for charity trustees: OSCR Guidance.
While professional qualifications are not required, the role requires an interest in the financial operations of the SOC and a broad understanding of financial requirements for charities in Scotland.Further details on the role can be found here.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Elected at the SOC AGM (usually in November) for an initial two-year term, with re-election every two years.
- Provides financial advice and guidance to staff and branch officials as needed.
- Attends Council and Management Committee meetings (each held four times per year) and presents a written financial update at each.
- Convenes and chairs Finance Committee meetings (3–4 per year), reporting recommendations to Council.
- Attends the Club’s AGM (usually in November) to present the End-of-Year Accounts.
- Meets with Brewin Dolphin (SOC’s investment managers) at least annually to review investments and assess risk levels.
- Works with Council to maintain and update SOC’s Investment Policy, including setting reserve levels.
- Regularly liaises with the Finance Officer to ensure smooth financial operations.
- May be consulted on HR issues and trustee induction.
- Out-of-pocket expenses incurred on SOC business are reimbursed.
- SOC FINANCIAL PROCESSES
- The SOC Council has collective responsibility for the Club’s finances.
- The Finance Committee oversees financial strategy and budgeting, meeting 3–4 times a year. It consists of the Treasurer, the Finance Officer, and two other members.
- SOC’s financial year runs from April to March.
- SOC uses Xero for bookkeeping, holds accounts with the Royal Bank of Scotland, and has investments managed by Brewin Dolphin.
- Two staff members, the Treasurer, and a past President (from the Lothian branch) currently have signatory responsibility, with protocols ensuring that transactions over a specified amount require two signatures.
- The Finance Officer manages day-to-day accounting and banking procedures.
- The Treasurer provides financial updates and forecasts to the Council and the Management Committee at each meeting, working closely with the Finance Officer.
- The Treasurer, Finance Officer, and Independent Financial Examiner (currently Whitelaw Wells) oversee the end-of-year financial process, culminating in the submission of the independently examined accounts to OSCR.
- The Club’s core income sources include membership subscriptions, events, sales, commission from artwork sales, and legacies. Legacy income is highly variable, requiring careful financial planning.
- SOC branches maintain some financial independence but provide annual financial summaries to SOC.
Our current Treasurer will remain in position until November 2025.
Application notes
To apply: Please email a short CV and covering letter stating why you are interested in the position and what you would bring to it to recruitment@the-soc.org.uk
For queries about the role, please contact Club Manager Katie Baumann at manager@the-soc.org.uk or SOC President Ruth Briggs at president@the-soc.org.uk.
Scotland’s leading nature conservation charity is looking to co-opt a Trustee for the position of Vice- Chair (Finance). This role includes being a Vice Chair of the Trust and Chair of our Finance & Audit Committee, a sub-committee which reports into our main Board of Trustees (“Council”) and provides vital governance oversight of financial & risk management, as well as other support functions at the Trust. The candidate is required to have extensive experience in financial management and leadership (albeit it not necessarily in the third sector) in order to reinforce its governing body’s knowledge and expertise in this vital area.
For over 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas. The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. The Trust manages a network of over 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.
Nature conservation has never been more important, and this is an exceptional opportunity to join a vibrant and committed Board of Trustees, which provides the governance function for the charity.
Most members of Council are directly elected by the membership, but this will be a co-opted position.
The successful candidate will have:
- Extensive experience in financial management and leadership; additionally, experience focused on the third/charitable sector would be desirable
- Experience with investment management, so as to be able to provide oversight of our investment portfolio performance, strategy and the appointed investment managers
- Ability to think strategically and differentiate between strategy and operations
- Ability to constructively challenge fellow Trustees and senior management
- A strong personal commitment to environmental issues and the Trust’s mission and values
The post is without remuneration, but reasonable out-of-pocket expenses may be reclaimed.
If you would like to play a role in achieving the Trust’s vision of a network of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas, we would love to hear from you.
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Have you considered joining a Board? Maybe The Time Is Now!
Do you have self-awareness and independence of thought? Can you analyse key information? Are you performance orientated? Can you communicate well with others and form stakeholder relationships? Have you got experience in a leadership role and are used to making difficult decisions?
If so, we’d love to hear from you!
We are looking for committed individuals from a variety of professional and diverse backgrounds to join our Board to be part of a people centred organisation on an exciting change journey. Supported by technology and data, we are transforming how we work and deliver services to our customers. We would particularly welcome applications from those with housing or legal experience and groups who are often under-represented to strengthen diversity across our Board and be reflective of the society we live in today.
At Trust we are values driven
- We love to learn
- We believe in better
- We are here for each other
If you share in our values and have the time and expertise to support us in our efforts, as a sector leading charitable organisation, to make a difference to people’s lives, we would love to hear from you. Good digital skills are required for the role.
What you will get in return
- Great professional development
- Training opportunities
- Enhance your network and knowledge
- Satisfaction in giving something back
- Out of pocket expenses (such as travel expenses and a contribution to childcare for attending meetings)
Time Commitment
- 6 x in-person Board meetings per year, usually held in Edinburgh on a Thursday mid-afternoon (with pre-reading of board papers in advance of meetings)
- 2 in-person strategic away days (taking place over 2 days with an overnight stay)
- Annual visits to housing developments across Scotland
- Option to attend sector and other events throughout the year
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Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We currently work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis.
Our core service comprises:
• An education service, which includes an outdoor learning team.
• A care service, with five residential cottages.
• Support services, made up of finance, estates, catering and domestic, fundraising, IT, HR, learning and development, and admin teams.
Children who come to Harmeny often have severe attachment disorders, have suffered some form of early years trauma leading to high levels of anxiety and difficulty in managing their behaviour, as well as a range of complex needs. Through highly therapeutic care and education programmes, we help children to gain the skills and resilience to lead healthy and happy adult lives.
We are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council, General Teaching Council for Scotland, Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland, and The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes a community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats, children’s play areas and a mountain bike track. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is ample parking.
We are seeking new Trustees to join the organisation and oversee its governance, and we are particularly keen to find candidates with knowledge and experience in any of the following:
• social work/ residential care;
• digital transformation;
• children and families research;
• therapeutic work with children and young people;
• experience of care growing up directly or indirectly; or
• health, ideally in the area of mental health.
Trustees are expected to prepare for and attend four Board meetings per year. Meetings are ideally in-person, albeit we can accommodate remote attendance as required. Additional meetings may be held for urgent matters that do not fit with the set calendar of meetings.
Trustees are also expected to be involved in other matters, for example to join a sub-committee relevant to their skill set or working group, take part in a recruitment panel, attend Harmeny events or support Harmeny’s work externally. Sub-committees meet in advance of the main meetings for a shorter duration, and are generally conducted virtually.
Harmeny is committed to equality of opportunity and the promotion of diversity, including in relation to its Board. We welcome applications from all parts of society, and we encourage applications from individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds and those who are care-experienced.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of Trustees in a friendly organisation making a difference to the lives of some of Scotland’s most remarkable children. Support and mentoring can be provided to the successful candidate, particularly those who may be early in their career and/or lacking experience in acting as a board member. An induction programme will be provided.
A fuller job description and person specification can be found using the link below. Harmeny is a values-led organisation and a good fit with our ethos is as important to us as having relevant experience.
There is no remuneration attached to the role but out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
If you would like to find out more about this rewarding opportunity, please contact Gavin Calder, Chief Executive, on 0131 449 3938.
The role of Treasurer is voluntary, and one that will be rewarding, interesting and varied for anyone keen to support the wider third sector in the local community and benefit the Scottish Borders and its residents.
Currently, the Board of Trustees meet six times a year, normally for no more than two hours, during working hours. There is also an AGM once a year.
The Treasurer is not responsible for the accounts administration - the role is one of review and reporting on the accounts, working with the CEO and others to provide advice and a thorough understanding of the financial position of the organisation to the Board of Trustees and ensuring the security of the charity long term.
The Board is seeking a professional in the area of finance, business or accounting who would have the skills to help report on the financial position of the charity and provide valuable advice in terms of risk, business planning and enterprise developments going forward.
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