Parish Controller

Job Description

The Parish Controller supports the financial operations of Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church by managing the day-to-day accounting functions that ensure accurate financial records, timely processing, and strong internal controls. This role is responsible for accounts payable and receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, journal entries, and the production of timely and accurate financial reports, along with controller-level responsibility for budgeting, internal controls, audit, tax, and treasury. The Parish Controller works closely with, and reports to, the Director of Parish Operations to support the financial stewardship and mission of the parish.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manage the parish's day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring that all financial activity is recorded accurately and on time in accordance with parish, diocesan, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
2. Process accounts payable-including invoices, reimbursement requests, check requests, and vendor payments-ensuring proper approvals, coding, documentation, and timely payment in accordance with parish and diocesan financial policies.
3. Record and reconcile all revenue, including offertory, online giving, ministry and program income, sacramental fees, and other receipts, following proper deposit and documentation procedures for all cash and check receipts.
4. Prepare and process payroll and maintain related records for wages, benefits, and paid time off.
5. Post recurring and adjusting journal entries, maintain the general ledger, and reconcile bank, credit card, and balance sheet accounts monthly.
6. Lead month-end and year-end closings, including account analysis and substantiation of month-end balances.
7. Prepare monthly financial statements with appropriate commentary and account analyses for review by the Director of Parish Operations and Pastor.
8. Prepare financial reporting and commentary for Finance Council, Parish Council, and committee meetings.
9. Coordinate the annual budgeting process and support program leaders with budget preparation, monitoring, and variance analysis.
10. Maintain program-level income and expense tracking to support program-specific budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
11. Coordinate the annual audit and the preparation of the annual financial statements and footnotes.
12. Coordinate the preparation and filing of required tax returns, and maintain vendor files and W-9 documentation, including annual 1099 preparation.
13. Manage the treasury function for all banking and investment relationships.
14. Design, implement, and maintain internal controls-including approval workflows, spending limits, and segregation of duties-to safeguard parish assets.
15. Ensure compliance with the financial terms of grants and the contractual obligations of the Diocese of Birmingham, and with the record-keeping and reporting requirements of federal and state law, including the Internal Revenue Service, Alabama tax regulations, and Canon Law.
16. Manage and maintain the database and software systems used for general accounting, fundraising, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and expense reimbursements, and train staff in their use.
17. Maintain orderly, audit-ready financial records in compliance with diocesan retention policies.
18. Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting is preferred; an associate's degree or equivalent coursework with relevant experience will be considered.
• Five to seven years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, internal auditing, and/or as a controller preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of fund accounting, budgeting principles and practices, financial reporting methodologies, and GAAP as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
• Familiarity with nonprofit, church, or diocesan accounting preferred.

Required Skills and Characteristics

• Must be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the teachings of the Church.
• Must possess strong verbal, written, and analytical skills, with sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential financial information.
• Must be proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel and Word), Outlook, and computerized accounting software, with the ability to train others in their use.
• Must be able to organize, plan, set priorities, and multi-task to meet deadlines while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
• Must be able to solve problems, make effective decisions, and work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Must demonstrate integrity, dependability, and respect for the mission and stewardship responsibilities of the parish.
• Must have a desire to learn and undertake new and unfamiliar responsibilities and tasks.

About the Employer

The mission of Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Parish (as part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama) is to respond to God's call to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Eternal Son of the living God. We are witnesses to the Gospel as we announce the death of the Lord, proclaim His resurrection, and await His coming in glory. At the heart of our Christian Community is celebration: of the Word, of the Eucharist, of the Sacraments. We journey with the Holy Spirit as our guide, with Mary, the Mother of God as our model, and in communion with the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome.