Position Description - Treasurer Treasurer-Elect & Past Treasurer

American Counseling Association (ACA), founded in 1952, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA advances the counseling profession, mental health and well-being through education, advocacy, community, inclusion and research. We serve more than 60,000 members, including counselors in various practice settings and counselors-in -training.

Description

ACA’s Board of Directors is the governing body responsible for overseeing the vision, mission and internal operations of the organization. The Board of Directors is comprised of 15 members including four officers and 11 Directors at Large. Directors hold overall fiscal and strategic oversight responsibility for ACA, including the Fiduciary Duties of Care, Loyalty and Obedience. They are charged with the supervision and oversight of ACA’s mission. They are responsible for making decisions, delegating work and ensuring decisions are carried out in the manner intended. Ultimately, members of the Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for ACA’s mission, inside and outside of organizational commitments.

The ACA Treasurer serves as the Officer with primary responsibility for ensuring the financial health of the organization. The Treasurer-Elect is elected from among the professional members of ACA. Succession to Treasurer occurs after service as Treasurer-Elect for one year. After serving as Treasurer for one year, the Treasurer succeeds to the Past Treasurer for one year. Only the position of Treasurer is an Officer of the Board of Directors.

Treasurer Responsibilities

In accordance with ACA bylaws, the Treasurer is responsible for the following:

Assure the receipt and expenditures of funds is in accordance with the directives established by the Board of Directors
Collaborate with ACA staff and Board of Directors to review and present a draft budget for Board approval, including any capital spending budgets and debt decisions
Review and monitor the CEO’s spending against the approved budget to ensure alignment with organizational policies and financial stewardship
Chair the Financial Affairs Committee
Serve as a member of the Executive Committee
Advise the Board on fiscal policy, risk management and long-term sustainability
Communicate financial information to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis
Ensure development and Board review of sound fiscal policies and procedures
Perform additional duties as delegated by the President
Perform the responsibilities associated with all Directors (see below)

Treasurer-Elect and Past Treasurer Responsibilities

The Treasurer-Elect and Past Treasurer have the following responsibilities:

Serve as a member of the Financial Affairs Committee
Collaborate with Treasurer to ensure development and board review of sound fiscal policies and procedures.
As Past Treasurer, Chair the Audit Committee

Responsibilities of All Directors

The Treasurer is an Officer who also serves as a voting member on the ACA Board of Directors with the following responsibilities:

Participate in creating, monitoring and updating the ACA’s strategic plan
Identify and affirm broad, long-term professional directions for ACA
Collaborate with the Board to establish and maintain governance policies to guide the affairs of ACA
Participate in decisions to grant or revoke charters for divisions, branches, corporate affiliates, and organizational affiliates
Review reports from divisions, branches, regions, organizational affiliates and committees, taking appropriate Board action
Review, amend and adopt ACA’s Bylaws to ensure alignment with its mission and evolving needs
Fulfill other functions as necessary to serve the best interests of ACA, ensuring actions are consistent with the Bylaws

Directors are expected to engage fully in these collective governance responsibilities by:

Serving as ambassadors of ACA’s mission, programs and services
Maintaining membership in good standing
Volunteering for and accepting committee or special assignments as needed
Preparing for and actively participating in Board meetings and discussions
Responding to requests for feedback or decisions between meetings in a timely manner
Engaging in collegial and constructive relationships with fellow Directors

Position Terms

The role of Treasurer is a three year commitment, with one year as Treasurer-Elect, one year as Treasurer and one year as Past Treasurer. Given the transition from Governing Council to Board of Directors beginning July 1, 2026, ACA is seeking both a Treasurer (serving 2026-2027) and Treasurer-Elect (serving 2026-2028).

Time Commitment

The time commitment for the Treasurer-Elect and the Past Treasurer is approximately 5-7 hours per month. In addition, the Financial Affairs Committee meets quarterly with at least one in-person meeting each year, which is one day in length. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.

For the Treasurer, the time commitment increases to 10 to 15 hours per month. This time commitment is prior to quarterly meetings of the Financial Affairs Committee, at least one of which is in person. Finally, the Treasurer attends meetings of the Board of Directors (i.e., at least three per year, two of which are in person, lasting two days each prior to travel). Other meetings may be called based on need. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.

Qualifications for Service

Required

Professional member in good standing at time of nomination with a minimum of five (5) years professional or retired membership immediately prior to nomination. There may be no more than one lapse of up to three months within that time period
Demonstrated professional counselor identity as reflected in preparation, credentials, practice, alignment with the philosophical foundations of counseling and active engagement advancing the mission of ACA and the counseling profession
Evidence of successful leadership experience (e.g., elected officer, committee chair) in ACA or ACA divisions, regions or branches in three of the last five years
Core competencies including commitment to ethical conduct, conflict resolution, consensus building/collaboration and practice experience as described in ACA Board of Directors Competencies
Hard skills including finance and non-profit/professional association governance and practice experience as described in ACA Board of Directors Competencies
Familiarity with nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, reporting and compliance
Ability to interpret financial statements and communicate financial information clearly to diverse audiences
No substantiated ethical violations, disciplinary sanctions or legal findings related to counseling practice or professional conduct within the past ten (10) years, including actions by licensure boards, ACA or other regulatory/professional organizations
Must pass a background check
Clear understanding of and capacity to meet the time, travel and leadership demands of the role
During the period in which the individual is a candidate for or serving on the Board of Directors, they may not simultaneously be a candidate for or hold a board position of another professional counseling association or an ACA division, region, branch, or organizational affiliate

Desired

The Treasurer is an Officer position building upon experience within ACA’s governance structure. To ensure continuity of leadership during this time of significant transition, the strongest preference for Treasurer (2026-2027) is for someone from the current ACA leadership structure or a former Governing Council member who has served within the past 36 months
Proven record of financial leadership, including oversight of budgets, reporting and fiscal policy with experience (e.g., treasurer, financial officer, or comparable roles) that positions one for financial stewardship of ACA
Other strategic skills, hard skills and soft skills as described in the ACA Board of Directors Competencies; candidates should highlight specific strengths they would bring to the board