We are seeking a dedicated and experienced individual to join our Board of Trustees as a Treasurer. As a key member of the leadership team, the Treasurer will oversee our financial operations and help guide the organisation in its mission to improve access to justice. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference while using your financial expertise to ensure our charity’s smooth and sustainable operation.

About East Greenwich Legal Advice Clinic

East Greenwich Legal Advice Clinic (EGLAC) was founded in 2017. We have a team of volunteer advisers (all qualified lawyers) plus a freelance Clinic Director and several other volunteers in support roles. We provide advice on a wide range of practice areas including family, civil litigation, housing, welfare benefits and wills and probate. In 2024, 485 people received free legal advice from EGLAC.

Advice is given in-person at EGLAC’s fortnightly clinics at Christ Church, East Greenwich and remotely at other times. As well as initial advice and signposting, EGLAC provides representation and casework to clients in appropriate cases where resources allow.

Vision and Mission

Our vision is of a society in which everyone has equal access to quality legal advice regardless of income or background.

Our mission is to provide a vital community service to those who have nowhere else to turn, by helping people in South East London with limited means obtain legal advice when they need it. We help people navigate the legal system and provide advice to prevent problems from escalating. We aim to reduce the risk of impacts such as homelessness, unmanageable debt and increased mental health difficulties.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial oversight and reporting;
• Prepare the annual accounts, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
• Present clear, easy-to-interpret financial reports to the Board of Trustees to enable them to understand the charity’s financial position;
• Monitor and advise on the charity’s overall financial health, ensuring sound financial management practices;
• Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions, including bookkeeping; and
• Claim Gift Aid where applicable and liaise with the Clinic Director on grant reporting.

 Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the Trustees and Clinic Director to develop long term financial plans;
• Provide input on strategic financial decisions including allocation of resources and expenditure management; and
• Act as key financial liaison with the auditor and ensure timely auditing and submission of accounts to the Charity Commission.

 Governance and Compliance

• Ensure financial governance by advising Trustees on their financial responsibilities and providing ongoing support;
• Attend Trustees’ online meetings 6 times per year;
• Attend annual strategy meetings (in Blackheath);
• Keep all financial systems up to date, including signatory mandates and banking procedures.

Skills and Experience Required

Essential

• Experience in finance / accounting and bookkeeping;
• Ability to explain financial matters clearly to non-financial board members;
• Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel, with excellent attention to detail;
• Strong organisational skills;
• Commitment to EGLAC’s aims and the longer-term value to the community of early access to legal advice.

Desirable

• Accounting qualifications, e.g. AAT, CIMA, ACCA;
• Knowledge of charity accounting;
• Familiarity with online platforms e.g. JustGiving and SharePoint;

What You Will Gain  

By joining our Board, you will have the opportunity to contribute your financial expertise to an organisation that has a direct impact on access to justice in the community. Your efforts will directly influence how we develop our service, reach more people and achieve long-term sustainability.

Additional Information

• This is a voluntary role;
• The initial term of appointment is 3 years with opportunities for reappointment;
• The time commitment is flexible but likely to involve an average of 2-3 hours a month, including attendance at trustees’ meetings and the annual Strategy Meeting;
• Basic DBS checks, ID checks and references are required; and
• Must have access to own laptop.

Equal Opportunities

EGLAC believes that it is essential to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity. It is committed, both as employer and service provider, to opposing discrimination and will not discriminate against any person because of their ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, responsibility for children or dependents, age, employment status, disability, HIV status, religious or political beliefs or because of unrelated criminal convictions.

Applications

Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you would like to apply for this role to .