Audit Chair & Trustee

Overview of the organisation

Instructus is a charity whose object is "to advance education for the public benefit by promoting qualifications, training and skills". Our work sits across three core brands: Instructus Skills working in Skills Development and apprenticeship certification; The Springboard Consultancy working in Personal Development; CQM Training & Consultancy Ltd a RoATP provider of apprenticeship and commercial training. Current turnover is approximately £2.5M.

All our work focuses on Developing People and Transforming Lives, be it delivering impactful training which promotes personal growth through to apprenticeships having demonstrable impact on individuals and employers alike. The Board are keen to deliver a sustainable commercial surplus to re-invest in providing our core programmes for those who would not normally be able to access them.

We are looking for an exceptional individual who can help commercially and charitably. We see ourselves as having a commercial heart and a charitable soul the more successful we are, the more significant we can be. We value making a difference and integrity and these values sit at the core of everything we do.

Role Purpose

Our Audit Chair & Trustee, collectively with the Board of Trustees, ensure that Instructus has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these. Trustees work in partnership with the Chief Executive and other senior staff and act as a custodian of the governance process.

Audit Chair Duties

• Effectively chair the Audit Committee facilitating discussion and managing the agenda accordingly
• Oversee the charity's finances to ensure its regulatory and legal responsibilities are met and comply with charity accounting practice
• Oversee the annual budget (and risk plan) and that charity accounts are prepared and the key issues and risks reported to the trustee Board in a timely and effective manner
• Monitor and report on the financial health of the charity at regular board meetings
• Lead in the development and implementation of finance policies, such as reserves, cash handling and systems of internal control
• Liaise with the auditors on scoping and management of the audit
• Scrutiny of the annual accounts, report and audit management letter, making recommendations to the trustee Board
• Ensure effective risk management, identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating as necessary
• Review the Register of Interests ensuring that all Interests declared do not cause a conflict within the Board

Key Competencies

• Successful experience in a strategic leadership role, ideally at Board level or as part of an executive team
• A previous or current trustee role for a UK charity preferable
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to interpret financial data and analyse accordingly
• A proven track record of sound independent judgement and effective decision making
• A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
• A track record of commitment to promoting EDI
• Exposure and understanding of strict governance and the requirements of this
• Career specialism in Finance/Audit
• Experience of Chairing meetings

The Board of Trustees & Audit Committee

The current Board comprises of the chair and up to a further eight trustees.

The Board of Trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. The Board of Trustees must always work together acting in the best interests of the charity.

The audit committee has responsibility for effective assurance of financial reporting, governance arrangements, compliance and risk management. The committee will provide insight, raise considerations and advise the Board appropriately.

Similar to the responsibilities of a shareholder, our trustees:

• Receive and approve the annual Instructus Group report & accounts for the previous financial year
• Be informed of trustee retirements and elect Instructus trustees to fill Board vacancies
• Remove trustees when necessary
• Appoint auditors and approve their remuneration

In addition to the responsibilities of a Trustee, the Audit Chair is responsible for the effective leadership of the Audit Committee and relevant reporting to Board.

It is important to note that trustees are not employees, part of the executive team or responsible for the day-to-day running of the charity or its subsidiaries.

Commitments

The role of a trustee is to serve as a volunteer for the charity, and therefore, receive no payment for the role. Reasonable accrued expenses will be reimbursed for activities related to attending Board meetings and duties as a trustee.

Trustees are required to attend quarterly Board meetings, eitherin person or via MS Teams,and devote personal time to fulfilling duties for the charity as stated above.