Role Description: Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee / Treasurer
Purpose of the Role
As Treasurer, the postholder serves as the principal financial trustee, advising the Board on long-term financial sustainability and stewardship for the Scouts Association and its subsidiaries. Equally, as Chair of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee, they help the Board discharge its responsibilities for risk oversight, assurance, and internal control. The role will also act as counsel and sounding board for the Executive Director of Finance and the Head of Risk & Assurance, working with them to deliver the highest standards of financial and risk governance and ensure the Board is in a position to effectively fulfil its duties.
Key Responsibilities
Committee Leadership
- Chair the FAR Committee, ensuring balanced governance across finance, audit, risk, assurance, insurance, property, and investments.
- Represent the FAR Committee at Board meetings and report on key issues.
Finance
- Serve as principle financial trustee, advising the Board on financial sustainability and stewardship.
- Oversee financial policies, budgets, reserves, investments, and property plans.
- Liaise with external auditors, investment managers, and advisers.
- Monitor performance of trading subsidiaries and national.
Audit & Compliance
- Oversee external audit processes, auditor appointments, and statutory.
- Ensuring financial and non-financial assurance activities support legal, regulatory and governance compliance.
Risk & Assurance
- Champion a strong risk and assurance culture, integrating these into decision- making.
- Oversee the Enterprise Risk Management framework, corporate risk register, and risk.
- Ensure effective internal controls and assurance systems, including audit.
- Oversee insurance arrangements and risk transfer.
Broader Contribution
- Collaborate with other Committee Chairs and senior staff for integrated.
- Promote transparency and accountability across the UK’s federated Scout.
- Mentor trustees on financial and risk, translating complex issues.
- Stay current on charity finance, risk and assurance.
- Champion the values and mission of The Scout Association, ensuring decisions support its strategy and youth-focused impact.
Trustee Responsibilities
As a Trustee of The Scout Association, the Chair/Treasurer must, along with the other Trustees:
- Ensure the charity serves the public benefit and complies with its governing document and the law.
- Act in the charity’s best interests, manage resources responsibly, and avoid conflicts of interest.
- Use reasonable care and skill, ensuring accountability, transparency and regulatory compliance, Adhere to the Trustee Code of Conduct.