Parish Finance Liaison

TITLE: Parish Finance Liaison
DEPARTMENT/OFFICE: Finance Office
SUPERVISOR: Diocesan Chief Financial Officer
STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt, Salary

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Parish Finance Liaison is the liaison between parish leadership, finance personnel and the Diocese. This person will cultivate a positive relationship with Pastors, Pastoral Administrators, Deacons and Parish Staff; will serve as the main contact for Parish bookkeepers, office managers, and pastors to provide assistance with the financial matters of their parish. Investigate as needed and either work with the parish to help resolve issues or procure the appropriate resources to resolve it. Assist with the day-to-day issues a parish may have.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
At least annually, visit each parish:
Review the bank reconciliations, financial statements, budget and the financial health of the parish.
Review with the person in charge of financials the processes and procedures, via a questionnaire, used by the parish to collect, log, reconcile, report and disburse funds.
With input from others, create the questionnaire and review it annually.
Review the minutes of the most recent 3 or 4 parish finance council meetings and the budget.
Submit a report of the findings within 30 days to the parish pastor or Director of Parish Life, the chair of the parish finance council and the Diocesan CFO of any deficits in internal controls with a recommended course of action.
Follow up on any course of action within the appropriate time frame.
Create and coordinate networking groups for each of the Vicariates. These groups will meet at least quarterly and create best practices and procedures for areas of concern.
Plan and coordinate an annual bookkeepers' meeting for all parish and school bookkeepers.
Share and implement Diocesan wide (as appropriate) the processes and procedures developed by best practices groups.
Create the format for the annual parish financial report; track and receive all reports and analyze them.
Review any parish with a deficit operating income with a write up explaining why there was a deficit (capital expense, program, budgeted expense, overspending, etc). Submit that write up to the Diocesan CFO, the pastor and finance council chair of the parish. Any concerns about the parish's financial health or continued deficits will warrant work with the pastor, parish finance council, and the Diocesan CFO.
Coordinate the resources the parish needs to create a plan to bring the parish back to financial health.
On a Diocesan level, this person will be part of the Finance team.
Understand the services available to the parishes from all departments within the Diocese
Become an expert in software packages used by the parish bookkeepers so that support can be provided.

III. ACCOUNTABILITY & COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
The Parish Finance Liaison is directly accountable to and evaluated by the Diocesan CFO.
The Parish Finance Liaison interacts with pastors, pastoral administrators, school principals, parish bookkeepers and other parish staff, and diocesan employees.

IV. WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in office settings and out of office meetings with contacts. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, reach, sit, hear and use repetitive motion of the hands/wrists and feet. The employee may be required to lift up to 20 lbs.
Travel primarily within diocese is required and evening and weekend work are necessary.
The Parish Finance Liaison must be willing to travel to work with pastors and parish and diocesan staff as needed. Therefore, the hours are flexible.

V. QUALIFICTIONS & SKILLS
A mature professional with the ability to maintain confidentiality
Knowledge, understanding and cooperation with Catholic teaching
Understanding of the Diocesan mission as expressed by the Bishop
Commitment to Diocesan Policies and Procedures
Bachelor's Degree required
Minimum of five years' experience in business leadership
Minimum of four years of auditing experience
Possess an understanding of GAAP and written accounting processes
Ability to work both independently and with a team
Highly developed organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Willingness to work a demanding schedule
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to solve problems and implement solutions
Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (with emphasis on Excel)
Knowledge of Paycor and Shelby systems is preferred
Ability to develop, document, and implement policies and procedures for a parish environment
Provide own transportation, possess a valid driver's license and verification of auto insurance
Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed
VI. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Attend the Diocese of Saginaw Safe Environment Training for new hire employees within the first 30 days of hire
Successful completion of criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug screening