What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controller position at The Wesleyan Church?
The Wesleyan Church is committed to transforming lives, churches, and communities through the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ. Our ministries, leaders, and staff work together to support this mission across every zip code. We are seeking a dedicated Controller who embodies integrity, stewardship, and operational excellence to join our finance team.
Position Summary
The Controller partners with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/ General Treasurer, helping to provide strategic financial leadership and overseeing the daily financial and accounting operations of The Wesleyan Church Corporation. This role ensures the accuracy, stewardship, and transparency of financial information that supports Directors, the Executive Cabinet, Executive Board, and General Board in making well-informed decisions.
The Controller leads a team responsible for accounting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, deferred gifts, and grants administration. This position partners closely with ministry leaders and collaborates with HR and IT to enhance integrated systems that support effective ministry operations. The Controller also prepares and coordinates audits and ensures adherence to financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Essential Responsibilities
Manage outsourced accounting functions.
Assist the CFO in developing, monitoring, and achieving departmental goals.
Oversee daily operations of the accounting department and ensure an organizational structure aligned with departmental objectives.
Recruit, hire, train, and develop finance team members; support individual and team growth to achieve organizational goals.
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and feedback to Finance Department staff.
Foster a positive, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
Conduct regular team meetings and finance-related training sessions.
Oversee the chart of accounts and maintain internal controls to minimize financial and operational risks.
Ensure accurate and timely processing of domestic and international payrolls, wire transfers, and EFTs.
Ensure trust and gift-related transactions comply with gift agreements.
Provide financial analysis as needed to support leadership decisions.
Assist the CFO in preparing the annual corporate report.
Support the annual budgeting and forecasting processes and monitor/report on variances.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local reporting requirements and tax filings.
Conduct special studies and projects as assigned by the CFO.
Maintain professional knowledge through training, publications, and professional networks.
Support event budgeting and assist with coordination of event-related financial activities.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to Christ and the mission of The Wesleyan Church.
Proactive, hands-on, and strategic mindset with shared responsibility for financial leadership.
Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, and developing a diverse team, with strong delegation skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to senior leaders, boards, and non-financial staff.
Ability to translate complex financial concepts for various audiences and levels of financial literacy.
Minimum Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; MBA or CPA strongly preferred.
Extensive experience managing audits, financial reporting, budgeting, AP/AR, general ledger oversight, payroll, and investment accounting.
Technology-savvy with experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing financial systems; advanced proficiency in accounting and reporting software.
Position Summary
The Controller partners with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/ General Treasurer, helping to provide strategic financial leadership and overseeing the daily financial and accounting operations of The Wesleyan Church Corporation. This role ensures the accuracy, stewardship, and transparency of financial information that supports Directors, the Executive Cabinet, Executive Board, and General Board in making well-informed decisions.
The Controller leads a team responsible for accounting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, deferred gifts, and grants administration. This position partners closely with ministry leaders and collaborates with HR and IT to enhance integrated systems that support effective ministry operations. The Controller also prepares and coordinates audits and ensures adherence to financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Essential Responsibilities
- Management & Team Leadership
Manage outsourced accounting functions.
Assist the CFO in developing, monitoring, and achieving departmental goals.
Oversee daily operations of the accounting department and ensure an organizational structure aligned with departmental objectives.
Recruit, hire, train, and develop finance team members; support individual and team growth to achieve organizational goals.
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and feedback to Finance Department staff.
Foster a positive, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
Conduct regular team meetings and finance-related training sessions.
- Financial Accountability
Oversee the chart of accounts and maintain internal controls to minimize financial and operational risks.
Ensure accurate and timely processing of domestic and international payrolls, wire transfers, and EFTs.
Ensure trust and gift-related transactions comply with gift agreements.
- Reporting
Provide financial analysis as needed to support leadership decisions.
Assist the CFO in preparing the annual corporate report.
Support the annual budgeting and forecasting processes and monitor/report on variances.
- Compliance
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local reporting requirements and tax filings.
- Additional Responsibilities
Conduct special studies and projects as assigned by the CFO.
Maintain professional knowledge through training, publications, and professional networks.
Support event budgeting and assist with coordination of event-related financial activities.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to Christ and the mission of The Wesleyan Church.
Proactive, hands-on, and strategic mindset with shared responsibility for financial leadership.
Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, and developing a diverse team, with strong delegation skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to senior leaders, boards, and non-financial staff.
Ability to translate complex financial concepts for various audiences and levels of financial literacy.
Minimum Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; MBA or CPA strongly preferred.
Extensive experience managing audits, financial reporting, budgeting, AP/AR, general ledger oversight, payroll, and investment accounting.
Technology-savvy with experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing financial systems; advanced proficiency in accounting and reporting software.