What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Controller position at Diocese of Phoenix Diocesan Pastoral Center?
Description
Purpose and Scope
To support the Diocese of Phoenix in its mission to encounter the Living Christ, this position provides leadership and technical expertise in accounting and financial reporting. The Assistant Controller is responsible for assisting the Controller in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations of the Diocese, safeguarding resources through effective internal controls, and supporting parish, school, and diocesan staff in financial stewardship.
Essential Job Functions
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Assists the Controller in overseeing accounting processes and procedures to ensure compliance with GAAP, Diocesan policy, and nonprofit financial standards.
• Supports the monthly and annual close process, including preparation and review of financial statements, reconciliations, and sub fund reporting. Analyze variances between budget to actual income statements and balance sheets.
• Coordinates and prepares audit schedules, interfaces with external auditors, and supports the Controller in ensuring timely completion of the annual audit. Maintain proper documentation for audit.
• Administers and optimizes the Diocese’s Sage Intacct financial system to ensure accurate reporting and efficient use of technology.
• Provides oversight of payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and fixed asset functions as assigned.
• Prepare general ledger journal entries and ensure accuracy of financial records.
• Reconcile bank statements and general ledger accounts. Assists with reconciling all assigned assets and liability accounts and subledgers.
• Collaborate with the Finance Office team to support the annual budgeting process and assist in training diocesan personnel on financial systems and reporting.
• Maintains and strengthens a system of internal controls for the Diocesan Pastoral Center, parishes, and schools.
• Provides supervision and cross-training for accounting staff, ensuring continuity of financial operations.
• Creates an approachable, customer service–oriented environment for clergy, parishes, schools, and diocesan staff with questions regarding financial statements and policies.
Additional Job Functions
• Performs special reviews and projects as requested by the Controller or CFO.
• Assists in developing and implementing accounting policies and procedures.
• Serves in a backup role for the Controller in their absence.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to serve clergy, parishes, schools, and diocesan personnel in a pastoral and professional manner.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices according to GAAP, with specific application to nonprofit and diocesan operations.
• Proficiency with Sage Intacct; advanced Excel skills required.
• Ability to organize, work independently, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks while collaborating in a team environment.
• Ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial personnel.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is strongly preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of five years’ progressive accounting or finance experience, preferably in a nonprofit or diocesan environment.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Active, practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church highly preferred.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
Physical Demands
This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing and lifting of materials up to 20 lbs. may be required.
Position requires the ability to travel to parishes and schools on occasion in conformance with Diocesan transportation policy.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.