Diocesan Finance Office

DIOCESAN FINANCE OFFICER
JOB DESCRIPTION

1) Position Title: Diocesan Finance Officer

2) Department: Finance

3) FLSA Position Type: Salaried Exempt

4) Reports To: Diocesan Bishop

5) Job Summary/Description: The Diocesan Finance Officer (DFO) is the principal advisor to the diocesan bishop in matters of business administration and finance. The DFO is responsible for administering the temporal goods of the diocese under the authority of the bishop, and to make those payments from diocesan funds which the bishop or his delegates have legitimately authorized.

The DFO serves as a resource person to parishes in financial and related matters while evaluating, updating, and ensuring compliance of financial policies and procedures for the parishes, schools, and other juridic persons under the oversight of the bishop, advancing sound practices for the care of the temporal goods of the Church.

6) Duties & Responsibilities
• Act as Financial Advisor to the Bishop and other diocesan leadership.
• Analyze and make recommendations pertaining to all major financial decisions and questions facing the diocese, its parishes, schools, and other external organizations.
• Implement and evaluate financial policies and practices of the diocese to ensure that financial goals and objectives are met in accordance with Canon Law, with policies established by the diocesan bishop, and with government regulations.
• Oversee the planning and completion of the diocesan annual audit process in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.
• Oversee the administrative and operational functions of the Finance Departments.
• Oversee planning and completion of the diocesan budget.
• Participate in administration of diocesan pension plans and employee health plan.
• Participate in the administration of risk management to include property, liability, and casualty insurance coverage.
• Ensure that all funds are properly invested and managed; evaluate investment alternatives.
• Maintain a high level of contact with constituencies across the diocese, especially with pastors, their parish staffs, and their finance councils.
• Oversee internal audit/training functions and reporting.
• Manage system administration for the Pastoral Center's information technology.
• Collaborate with specific diocesan committees, including Finance Council, Audit Committee, Investment Committee, Mineral Lease Committee, Risk Management Committee, Compensation Committee, Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors and Stewardship & Development Department as needed.
• Participates in various ad hoc committees as required or assigned.
• Handles bank and investment vendor relations.
• Manages grants.
• Other duties as assigned.

7) Supervisory Responsibilities
• Finance Department

8) Education, Training and Experience
• MBA, MPA, related field and/or current CPA credentials.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience with responsibilities in leadership positions in business, accounting, finance, or related field with an excellent performance record.
• 5 years supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with fund accounting.
• Administrative leadership experience, preferably in the Catholic Church, including working with consultative bodies, supervision, accounting, and investing.
• Preference for candidate familiar with the Code of Canon Law related to temporal goods.

9) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Practicing Catholic in good standing.
• Preference for candidate familiar with the Code of Canon Law related to temporal goods.
• Efficient and effective organization and direction to areas of responsibility.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Advance knowledge of budgeting principles and practices, accounting principles, investment, and financial reporting methodologies.
• Interpersonal relationships which encourage openness, candor, and trust.
• Overall soundness of decisions, effective delegation, and maintenance of confidentiality for all sensitive information.
• Flexibility in performing designated duties.
• Acceptance of personal inconvenience for attainment of diocesan goals.
• Meet or exceed objectives established in budgetary process.
• Skilled in computer usage with advanced knowledge of Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, and financial software programs.
• Must have a valid driver's license as travel throughout the diocese will be required.

10) Working Condition/Environment
• Office hour work environment typical of normal office setting with slight to moderate noise levels and controlled temperatures.
• Working conditions and environment for work/meetings outside the office will vary according to site and need, but will predominantly be indoors with adequate temperature controls.
• 40-hour work week, but additional hours are possible.
• Base work hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, nights and weekends are possible.

11) Physical Demands
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time and reach with hands and arms. Normal manual dexterity is required.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs.
• Normal speaking and hearing abilities to interact with others in an office environment or over the telephone.
• Normal vision is also required to perform the duties of this position.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to (25) pounds.