Independent Member

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England is a social enterprise, a company without shareholders. As an organisation MHFA England offers expert guidance and training to support mental health in the workplace and beyond. This role offers the opportunity for a chartered accountant, keen to join a board to gain valuable board level experience, whilst providing the opportunity to challenge and support decision making in order to help the organisation develop and grow. You will have the opportunity to directly support the organisation in its aims and goals and ultimately provide more much needed training annually.
Essential experience required:
A chartered Accountant with a minimum of 2-3 years PQE experience.
Ability to quickly grasp an understanding of the organisation and its challenges, via experience gained of working in a business environment.
The confidence and proven track record to challenge, support and question utilising sound judgement.
The ability to communicate with others in a constructive way.
Desirable experience:
Prior experience of the challenges facing a small organisation, or social enterprise, or not for profit.
A working understanding of managing and mitigating risk.
Experience of providing constructive challenge alongside support.
Prior knowledge of audit and governance.
An understanding of taking a strategic and top-level approach.
An understanding of mental health needs and challenges.
Understanding of training or education services.
Prior experience of digital transformation.
Background and the role of the Independent Member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee The principal function of the FARC is to keep under review whether the organisation has used and is using the resources, efficiently and effectively. The specific powers and duties of the committee include:
Reporting to the Board any concern of the resources or governance arrangements
Suggesting improvements in terms of investment and long-term strategic planning.
Reviewing the YTD performance versus the targets
Reviewing key KPIs and ensuring the organisation remains on track.
Consider new and innovative ways of generating income, reviewing the sales pipeline and challenging assumptions.
Maintaining an accurate risk register for the business.
Reviewing audit arrangements and ensuring correct governance arrangements.
Maintaining strong cost control and ensuring that funds are being allocated to the right places.
Ensuring adequate cash flow and managing treasury through peaks and troughs.
Managing and mitigating risk as appropriate.
The Independent Member is responsible for:
Obtaining and keeping up to date an understanding of the functions of the Board and the environment in which they operate, including through completion of induction training.
Engaging constructively with the FARC committee and if required the executive team to understand the main areas of activity, risk, culture, practices and concerns.
Devoting sufficient time to discharge their responsibilities.
Actively seeking clarification or amplification as necessary to ensure that they have sufficient information to discharge their responsibilities.
Contributing constructively in committee meetings by drawing on their skills, experience and knowledge.
Providing expert advice, challenge and expertise in the area of finance as a chartered accountant.
The current schedule is circa a committee meeting every other month on a Monday between 4.00-6.00pm held virtually. The papers are sent a week in advance and the expectation is for these to have been digested fully before the meeting.
There might be a couple of meetings held in person, in London (for which expenses would be paid) but most would be virtual.
There may also be the need for further ad-hoc meetings annually and the expectation including relevant reading time would be circa 6 days annually.
Applications are to be submitted by midday on 7th October 2024
The interview date for those shortlisted is likely to be w/c 21st October and will be virtual.

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