Regardless of the size of your NFP organisation, a volunteer treasurer is one of the most important positions on the board. Therefore, if you are looking for a new person to take on the responsibilities of a treasurer, or if you have been appointed for this role, you will certainly benefit from knowing what qualities one needs to possess in order to make a great volunteer treasurer and to make a difference in their organisation.

What are your responsibilities?

But first – let’s make sure we are on the same page about the responsibilities mentioned above. A volunteer treasurer’s focus is the finances of the organisation. In smaller NFPs the treasurer may be responsible for the whole financial activity of the organisation, including keeping the books, storing the money, paying all the expenses etc. In larger organisations which employ volunteer or paid financial staff, the volunteer treasurer will probably monitor the financial activity, co-ordinate the work of those who manage the finances and report to the board the financial situation at the beginning of every meeting. He or she will also discuss various matters related to money with the board and then pass the decisions taken to the employees who will have to act on them.

What personal qualities might you need?

Having said all that, we can divide the qualities a volunteer treasurer needs in two groups – personal and professional. You probably know it yourself, but when it comes to finances, everyone involved should be absolutely honest and reliable. You need trustworthy people you can entrust the money of the organisation without doubt and without having to regret it afterwards. Also, it would be good to have a volunteer treasurer who is optimistic and positive – this is valid for all board members, but your NFP will certainly benefit if its financial matters are controlled by someone open-minded and ready to co-operate no matter what.

What professional skills do you need?

When it comes to the professional side of things, it goes without saying that you need someone who knows the ins and outs of finances. Experience would be a benefit, but you can also find a great volunteer treasurer in someone who has never worked as such, so don’t let the lack of experience discourage you. The person you choose will have to be extremely accurate and probably to have a knack for finding new sources of funding. A good example would be Lord Petyr Baelish from Game of Thrones – the Master of Coin who can always find a way to fund a new event. The joke aside, your treasurer will need to have a vision, a strong grasp over the finances of the organisation and good planning skills – you don’t want to find yourself in the red in the middle of the year.

To cut a long story short, there are a lot of things you need to consider when it comes to finding/being a great volunteer treasurer. If your dream is to be a treasurer but you do not have all of the above qualities, there is nothing to worry about – you will find that all of them can be acquired if you are motivated and put enough effort in it. Good luck!