Volunteer Treasurer and Financial Lead Trustee

What will you be doing?

Surrey Community Action (SCA) is the County's leading infrastructure organisation for the VCSE sector, this year marking 75 years of service to Surrey's diverse communities. 2025/6 also sees the biggest change to Surrey local government in over 50 years. VCSE services have traditionally received funding through our County, Borough and District Council partners, but the Government's Devolution and Local Government Reform (LGR) process is now transforming the landscape in which we operate.  Future funding is - and no doubt will remain - the biggest challenge for SCA and all of our VCSE partners. We are seeking an experienced and - ideally - a CIPFA or ICAEW-qualified Treasurer to join SCA's Board of Trustees at this crucial time for the future of VCSE services in Surrey.  As a leading member of - and the host organisation for - Surrey VCSE Alliance, SCA provides County-wide infrastructure support including back-office services (e.g. HR, Payroll) to charities, community and voluntary organisations. Whatever new Unitary and Mayoral strategic authorities are decided upon by the Government, SCA must adapt and evolve to ensure that the community needs of Surrey's 1.2 million citizens can continue to be met. After years of financial austerity that has seriously depleted the VCSE sector's ability to help some of the most vulnerable people in society, this is a timely and strategic opportunity for you to join our enthusiastic, friendly and multi-faceted Board of Trustees

What are we looking for?

As important to us as your CIPFA or ICAEW qualification is your ability to blend lived or first-hand experience with an understanding of and empathy for a variety of very different client groups. You will find it helpful to have some knowledge of the County of Surrey and the statutory services that our Councils currently provide - while also being prepared to "expect the unexpected" in terms of a real world grasp of likely future community finances. Of course, none of us on SCA's Board of Trustees knows for sure what lies ahead. However, as a Board supporting an extremely able CEO and staff team, we are already moving SCA's traditional funding model closer towards a more pro-active income generation model for mixed service provision.  STOP PRESS!! SCA is now commissioning a new "State of the Sector" survey in Surrey that will report this autumn on the changing local needs and evolving social trends. This will inform our future strategy and begin a re-set of SCA's Community brand to match the needs of Surrey's towns and villages through our next 75 years!

What difference will you make?

Your professional background - coupled with your personal motivation to help SCA address an expanding range of community needs in a challenging financial climate - will enable you to play a leading role in shaping SCA's strategy though Local Government Reform and beyond. Whether you bring civic, corporate or industrial financial experience and/or have (or had) your own accountancy practice this will be a great opportunity to re-purpose your skills for the benefit of ordinary communities challenged by the socio-economic and healthcare demands of an expanding and diverse population. The calibre of SCA's staff team - including our Head of Finance with whom you will liaise most closely - requires equally dedicated and effective people on the Board of Trustees and we guarantee that YOU will be able to make a difference!