Finding a Treasurer is often one of the toughest tasks for charity boards. Here are some practical tips to help you find finance professionals who offer both financial skills and a real passion for your organisation's mission.
For many charities, finding a Treasurer can seem nearly impossible. While financial oversight is important, the Treasurer does much more than just review accounts or present reports. A great Treasurer helps boards make good decisions, improve governance, manage risks, and support long-term stability.
The good news is there are now more ways to connect with talented people who want to use their financial skills for good. So, where do you begin?
Start with your networks
Your existing Board
The old saying, 'it's not what you know, it's who you know', still holds when it comes to trustee recruitment.
Trustees represent your organisation and should help find and attract new board members. Make sure your board knows what skills you need and has a role description and recruitment pack to share with their contacts.
Your current trustees may belong to:
- Professional membership bodies
- Business networks
- Chambers of Commerce
- Voluntary sector networks
- Faith groups
- Community organisations
- Professional LinkedIn groups
Personal recommendations can help you find great candidates who might not have thought about becoming a trustee before.
Think beyond qualified accountants
Many charities think their Treasurer must be a qualified accountant. While these qualifications are helpful, they are not the only way to ensure good financial governance.
You may find an excellent Treasurer among:
- Finance Managers
- Finance Business Partners
- Auditors
- Risk professionals
- Treasury specialists
- Charity finance staff
- Bookkeepers
- Fundraising professionals with budget management experience
- Small business owners
- Retired finance professionals
The most important thing is to find someone who is comfortable with financial information, understands risk, can ask helpful questions, and is ready to support the board in making good decisions.
Many charities benefit from trustees who bring financial knowledge, strategic thinking, leadership experience, and a strong commitment to the organisation's purpose.
Engage professional networks
Professional bodies and finance networks are great places to find candidates.
Consider promoting opportunities through:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Recruiter Services | ICAEW Recruiter services
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) ACCA Careers | Recruiter Services
Many finance professionals want to grow their leadership skills, give back to their community, and use their expertise for a good cause. Being a trustee can also help their own professional and personal development.
Connect with local businesses
Many businesses encourage their employees to volunteer and take on board roles as part of their social responsibility and leadership development goals.
Consider approaching:
- Local accountancy firms
- Banks and financial institutions
- Housing associations
- Large local employers
- Professional services firms
Being a trustee gives staff valuable leadership experience and helps charities improve their governance.
Make your opportunity compelling
Start with the 'why'
Most people do not become trustees just because of the role description.
They become trustees because they care about the cause.
Before you advertise your vacancy, think about why someone would want to join your board. What difference can they make? Who benefits from your work? What impact could they have?
Share your mission and the impact you make before listing the technical requirements of the role.
A strong story about the difference your organisation makes is often more powerful than a long list of duties.
Be clear about expectations
Give clear information about:
- The organisation's mission and activities
- Board meeting frequency
- Committee commitments
- Expected time commitment
- Length of trustee term
- Whether meetings are online, in-person or hybrid
- Skills and experience sought
The clearer you are, the more likely you will attract candidates who are a good match.
Use the right recruitment channels
LinkedIn is still one of the best places to find finance trustees.
Ask current trustees, staff, and supporters to share opportunities with their own networks. Candidates often respond better when they hear about roles from people they know.
Reach Volunteering
Reach Volunteering is still one of the UK's top platforms for trustee recruitment and works especially well for finding people with finance, governance, and leadership experience.
The Young Trustees Movement
If your organisation wants a more diverse board and hopes to attract younger finance professionals, the Young Trustees Movement is a great resource. It supports trustees aged 30 and under and helps organisations improve inclusive recruitment.
The Honorary Treasurers Forum
The forum has a vacancies page where charities can share treasurer and finance trustee roles with experienced finance professionals who want to help the VCSE sector.
Recruitment Platforms
In addition, some job recruitment platforms advertise trustee and volunteer opportunities for free or at a reduced cost.
These include:
- Third Sector Jobs jp.thirdsector.co.uk/packages?usertype=recruiters
- TPP Advertise volunteer roles with your charity or non-profit | TPP Recruitment
- Charity Job Advertise a Job | Charity Recruitment | CharityJob Recruiter
Salford CVS Volunteer Portal
At Salford CVS, our Volunteer Portal is a free and easy way to advertise trustee roles and connect with local people who want to support community organisations. It helps you find trustees with professional skills and a strong link to Salford and its communities.
Your website
Your website is usually the first place potential trustees look.
Make sure it includes:
- Information about your mission and impact
- Details about your board
- Annual reports and accounts
- Current trustee vacancies
- Contact details for informal conversations
Keeping your website up to date helps candidates learn about your organisation and trust your governance.
Support your new Treasurer to succeed
Recruitment is just the first step.
Once appointed, a new Treasurer should receive:
- A thorough trustee induction
- Recent management accounts
- Annual reports and audited accounts
- Key policies and governance documents
- Information about financial controls
- Access to trustee training
- Ongoing support from the Chair and board
Even experienced finance professionals may be new to charity governance, so giving them a warm and helpful induction is important.
To support this, at Salford CVS we run “How to be a Good Trustee – The basics” sessions throughout the year. Check our events page for details Training and Events | Salford CVS.
Looking to the future
Strong financial governance is key for your organisation's sustainability, resilience, and impact. Finding a Treasurer can take time, but groups that clearly communicate their purpose, recruit inclusively, and use professional networks are finding talented people who want to help.
The best Treasurers offer more than technical skills. They bring curiosity, fresh ideas, insight, and a real commitment to helping the organisation reach its goals. Their value goes far beyond the balance sheet.
If your organisation needs to recruit a Treasurer or Finance Trustee, the Salford CVS Development Team can help with trustee recruitment, governance advice, board development, and training.
Together, we can ensure your charity has the skills, leadership, and financial oversight it needs to succeed.