Lay and Registrant Members of Finance Committee

We are currently recruiting Lay and Registrant Members to our Finance Committee.

The Role of the Finance Committee:

• The Finance Committee is a committee of the AfN’s Council. Its purpose is to oversee, scrutinise and challenge the AfN’s financial affairs and to provide assurance to the Council.
  • To review, monitor and report to Council on all aspects of AfN’s financial management., including:
    • financial strategy, planning and reporting (income and expenditure, budgets, forecasts, cashflow, capital expenditure)
    • financial policies, procedures and plans (including investment, reserves, remuneration, audit and disaster recovery)
    • risk management.

Benefits of becoming a Finance Committee member

• An opportunity to influence and shape the AfN’s financial strategy and policies.
• Developing existing and learning new skills (for example strategic planning/thinking, problem-solving and team-working).
• Expanding your Continuing Professional Development.
• Collaboration and networking opportunities: Expanding professional networks and opportunities to share knowledge with others who are committed to and passionate about the AfN’s work.
• Gaining an understanding and experience of governance in a membership organisation.
• Induction, training and ongoing support from the AfN team and the Finance Committee Chair.

Desirable skills and experience

• A background and expertise in finance, risk and/or audit.
• Understanding of the financial operating and reporting requirements for charities.
• Skills to analyse proposals and to examine their financial consequences.
• Ability to challenge the views of others professionally.
• Ability to work well in a small team, with good judgement, diplomacy, the ability to think strategically and communicate effectively.

Time commitment

• The Committee will usually meet three times per year (online) for approx. 2 hours each time. Papers will normally be circulated one week prior to each meeting and members of the Committee are expected to have read the papers in preparation for meetings. Occasionally, there may some action points for members to follow-up outside of meetings.

Expectations of members

• To act in the best interests of AfN; promoting its values and upholding its reputation.
• To ensure that AfN acts in accordance with its Articles of Association, Governance Rules, charity law and all other relevant laws and regulations.
• To attend committee meetings, to share experience, views and opinions and to engage in constructive debate with colleagues.
• To declare any potential conflicts of interest and seek advice from the Governance Officer if necessary.
• To comply with relevant AfN policies, procedures and behaviours, including the AfN Code of Conduct for Volunteers.
• Our expectation is that Committee Members would serve a term of three years with the possibility of a second term. However, we do appreciate that occasionally circumstances may arise during the term that mean people need to stand down early.
• These are voluntary, unremunerated roles, but travel and subsistence expenses will be

For an informal discussion about the position, please contact Kelly Dudley, Governance Officer.

How to apply – Expressions of Interest should be made via the MS Forms link. We will be in contact to request additional information if necessary.