Aspire – Autism Spectrum Association of Ireland
Board Member – Treasurer
Are you looking for an exciting board opportunity to connect with your Community and have an impact in Society? Are you a qualified, experienced Accountant looking for a chance to provide your valuable knowledge and expertise to ensure effective financial oversight of a national charity? We welcome applications from experienced board members, as well as those who have never worked on a board before and wish to expand their experience and knowledge.
Aspire, a registered charity established in 1995, provides support to those who have Asperger Syndrome. Services include the provision of information through a membership support phoneline, programmes promoting social interaction, career support and training/education, as well a dependent living support home for adults with Asperger Syndrome.
We are currently seeking expressions of interest for a board member position with a particular focus on those who have Accounting expertise. In particular we would like to speak to those who may be part or fully Qualified Accountants. As a Board Member, you will regularly attend Board meetings – sharing your knowledge and skill to ensure our financial oversight meets regulatory governance and organizational requirements, as well as chair the Financial and Audit Sub-Committee to meet our financial management objectives.
As a Board Member, you will be making a serious commitment to participate actively in committee work including initiating and accepting strategic assignments, and will build effective relationships with other Board Members to ensure the successful operation of the Board.
To satisfy its fiduciary duties, the board of Aspire is responsible for:
- adhering to the conditions enforced by the Charities Regulator
- maintaining registration with the Companies Registration Office (ie: subject to legal requirements)
- ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
- strategic and organizational planning, including fundraising and resource development
- approving and monitoring the organization’s programmes and services
- enhancing the organization’s public image
- assessing its own performance as the governing body of the organization
- selecting and evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer
To support the role set out above, Treasurer duties will include:
- Maintaining appropriate financial overview, including approving payments of invoices and authorising online payments
- Approving monthly invoice to HSE
- Approving payroll prior to payments being made
- Overseeing, preparing, presenting and approving budgets, accounts and financial statements
- Preparing and presenting financial reports to the board and sub-committee
- Ensuring appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
- Advising on the financial implications of any new or current services or projects
- Preparing the annual accounts before being passed to the independent auditor
- Presenting the annual accounts at the AGM
As with all board members, general responsibilities of the Treasurer will also include:
- Setting the appropriate direction for Aspire, ensuring adequate resource are in place to achieve strategic objectives, operational plans and budget requirements
- Preparing for, attending, and conscientiously participating in board meetings
- Understanding and actively promoting the organization’s mission, policies, programmes and needs
- Disclosing potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings
- Maintaining confidentiality about all matters discussed at board meetings
- Leveraging connections, networks, and resources to achieve the organization’s commercial objectives including fundraising and influencing public policy. This may also include identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary
- Ensuring Aspire adheres to and complies with policies and procedures, and as a board member, following Aspire’s board bylaws, policies, and board resolutions
- Appointing and reviewing the performance of the CEO / ensuring effective succession planning
As part of the recruitment process, successful applicants will be required to undergo Garda vetting. Aspire will assess a candidate’s criminal record history against the inherent requirements of the role before making a determination as to their suitability or otherwise.
If you are interested in applying to Aspire, please do so via the Boardmatch online application process. We will review your resume along with the details of your experience and qualifications in line with our profile requirements, and should you be successful for interview we will be in touch with you in the coming weeks.