About the FAC
The purpose of the Financial Advisory Committee (the “FAC”) is to assist the Executive Board (the “Board”) in fulfilling its obligations and oversight responsibilities relating to financial planning and financial reporting by advising on these matters.
The FAC is a sub-committee of the Executive Board. The FAC is charged with monitoring the financial health of the WSAVA. It will have an opinion on how its assets are protected, its resources are used responsibly, and that the association complies with all applicable laws and reporting requirements.
The FAC will report and make recommendations to the board as needed, in writing, and to the general assembly yearly.
For more information about the committee, please see the complete FAC’s Terms of Reference.
Responsabilites
FAC members are expected to contribute towards the collective responsibilities of the FAC. The FAC have the following responsibilities, and any other responsibilities reasonably related to its purposes and assigned by the Board from time to time.
- Assist the Treasurer in periodic analysis of budget expenditures.
- Review and recommend for approval to the Board the annual operating budget of the association and the high-level forecast for subsequent year(s).
- Advise the Board on any budget matter pertaining to the financial stability of the organization.
- Advise the Board on any new expenses that exceed, in part or in total, $50,000 USD per annum.
- Advise the Board on all financial policies and recommend additional financial policies when appropriate.
- Advise the Board on an appropriate reserves policy for the association.
- Recommend to the Board when it is advisable to utilize reserve funds.
- Review and recommend investment policies to the Board and monitor their implementation to ensure that they achieve the desired objectives.
- To report to the board whether the associations financial management follows applicable laws, regulations, standards, and best practice guidelines.
- Review the financial statements that are prepared for the General Assembly and provide feedback to the Board on their appropriateness and transparency for members.
- Advise the Board on financial decisions such as changes in membership dues, alternative sources of income with a view to diversifying the association’s income streams, and others that may affect financial stability of WSAVA and are requested by the board from time to time.
- To submit a budget for any FAC expenditure for the next year by end of September each preceding year.
- To report on the health of finances and financial reporting to the general assembly once yearly. This report shall be written after the FAC meeting that precedes each general assembly, and a copy of this report shall be sent to the Board and Executive Director the evening before the general assembly. This is for information only; the report does not need EB approval. It will be read out to the assembly and included in the minutes.
Membership of the FAC
- Membership in the WSAVA Standing Committees is open for WSAVA members only.
- Members should have knowledge and / or experience of interpreting financial statements. Ideally, members will have a qualification or training in finance, accounting or business management, such as an MBA (highly desired).
- Consideration will be given to region representation on the committee, but this is not essential.
- Applications are encouraged from those with experience in fundraising and income generation for non-profit organisations.
- All members of FAC must agree to a confidentiality agreement as well as the usual conflict of interest declarations and WSAVA code of conduct.
- Member tenure of committees shall be 3 years with the ability to renew once for another 3-year term (maximum of 6 years).
Remuneration for this role
All WSAVA committee members including the chairperson are volunteers. However, reasonable expenses incurred while carrying out WSAVA duties will be reimbursed, in accordance with the WSAVA Travel and Expenses Policy.
Applicant must provide the full documentation required below, in English, via this dedicated application link:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Intent
- Letter of Good Standing from WSAVA Member Association*
Applications should be submitted before 9 September 2026 – 22:00 UTC
*All nominees for membership of any WSAVA committee/group are required to provide a letter of Good Standing from the WSAVA member organization of which they are a member. This requirement does not apply to nominees who are not members of a WSAVA organization (e.g. non-veterinarians) whose expertise may be necessary for specialist committees/groups. A person of Good Standing is defined as someone who has complied with all explicit obligations of the association and who is not subject to any form of sanction, suspension or disciplinary censure. This letter is not a recommendation from the association that the nominee is the best person for the position. WSAVA committee positions are not chosen by member organizations – the Committee Chair ultimately decides on the best candidate for the position and the choice is ratified by the Executive Board. This letter indicates only that the WSAVA member association has no objection to the nomination. Please click here to view an example of this letter.