Controller / Accountant

 

LEADERSHIP POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

 

Position Title:                       Controller/Accountant

Reports To:                            Church Administrator

Date Prepared/Revised:        9/4/08

 

 

Principal Function

 

Directs the accounting operations and its related entities for a large church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Performs all accounting and tax functions that are not performed by other accounting personnel.  Ensures proper reporting and accuracy of accounting reports, payroll reports, and other tax filings in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Maintain internal controls over all accounting systems. 

 

 

Specific List of Responsibilities

 

 

 

•     Maintains Chart of Accounts for the church and all integrated ministries.  Ensures correct and consistent posting to the general ledger with proper documentation. Makes entries to the general and subsidiary ledgers and reviews entries by other personnel to assure accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Responsible for monthly and year-end closing of the general ledger including journal entries.

 

 

•     Stays current with developments, practice trends and promulgations in the accounting profession, monitors accounting systems and recommends new or revised financial policies and procedures.  Develops and maintains procedures relating to all accounting policies.

 

•     Reviews and implements plans to ensure accurate and timely postings of accounting transactions.  Develops adequate levels of segregation of duties with accounting staff. Assists other staff with questions and printing of computer generated reports and statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

•     Maintains computer generated accounting reports and prepares special reports as requested.  Prepares interim, year-end, and comparative financial reports.  Provides analysis of current results to prior periods and/or budget as needed.

 

•     Responsible for preparation of payroll records and processing of payroll checks and deposits.  Reviews requirements for filing all federal and state payroll tax reports to be sure that the church is in compliance with current tax laws.

 

 

•     Maintains oversight over the receipt and posting of all church contributions and other miscellaneous deposits and posts these transactions to the general ledger. 

 

 

•     Serves as the primary liaison between the church and the independent auditing staff and reviews the extent and scope of their annual audit work.  Administers and assists in the preparation of the year-end audit schedules and documents for independent auditors.

 

•     Helps train ministry Department Heads and other staff on how to access their  reports and answers questions they might have regarding their ministry budget.  Serves as the primary liaison person to entire staff as needs and questions arise relating to the accounting operations of the church.  Researches and obtains answers to accounting, budgeting and other financial requests.

 

 

•     Assists the Church Administrator in complying with the church’s Personnel Policies and Procedures.  Ensures that proper procedures and controls are followed when hiring new employees.  Administers the paperwork for new hires and maintains a list of all documentation needed on each new employee and reviews to ensure completion.

 

 

•     Serves as a resource person for the accounting personnel.  Answers questions, gives advice and direction, and works to improve work procedures and improve organization within the accounting office.

 

 

 

 

Other Staff Responsibilities

 

•     Regularly attends general staff meeting.  Also, when requested, attends staff meeting for Ministers, Associates and Directors.

 

•     Assists in additional areas as requested by the Church Administrator.

 

•     Other general responsibilities:

 

      a.   In addition to normal responsibilities, the accountant is a member of a team dedicated to Christian service and should therefore seek at all times to conduct oneself in such a way that would be pleasing to the Lord.

 

      b.   Because of the confidential nature of individual membership records, contributions, payroll, and much of the correspondence of staff, it is absolutely essential that the accountant respect this confidence.

 

•     Performs other duties as assigned by the Church Administrator.