Church Accountant

$34,320 - $34,320/Yr

The United Methodist Church - Chicago, IL

Part-time - Entry Level

Chicago, IL

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Church Accountant plays a crucial role in managing the financial aspects of Hartzell Memorial UMC, ensuring responsible and organized disbursement of funds to support the ministry of the congregation. This position is part-time, requiring a commitment of eight hours per week at a stipend of $16.50 per hour. The ideal candidate will possess spiritual gifts such as administration, discernment, giving, faith, and helping, along with a passion for financially supporting the mission of making Christian disciples. The Church Accountant will work closely with the financial secretary and other ministry teams to ensure that all financial activities align with the church's mission and values. In this role, the Church Accountant will be responsible for disbursing all contributions to the local church budget while maintaining accurate expenditure records. Adherence to financial guidelines set by the committee on finance is essential, ensuring total fiduciary responsibility and compliance with governmental tax regulations. The Church Accountant will also be tasked with the monthly transfer of world service and conference benevolence funds to the conference treasurer, ensuring that all financial transactions are transparent and well-documented. Collaboration with the financial secretary is key, as the Church Accountant will maintain records of all funds received, with designated gifts managed by trustees as per The Book of Discipline. Regular financial reports will be provided to the committee on finance, church council, charge conference, and trustees (if applicable), in collaboration with the financial secretary and finance committee chair. The position requires a strict segregation of duties to prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring that no individual performs more than one of the critical financial tasks, such as approving payments, signing checks, or reconciling bank accounts. Accountability to the charge conference through the church council is also a vital aspect of this role, with employment managed by the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC).

Responsibilities

• Disburse all contributions to the local church budget, maintaining accurate expenditure records.
• Adhere to financial guidelines set by the committee on finance, ensuring total fiduciary responsibility and compliance with governmental tax regulations.
• Monthly transfer of world service and conference benevolence funds to the conference treasurer.
• Collaborate with the financial secretary to maintain records of all funds received, with designated gifts managed by trustees as per The Book of Discipline.
• Provide regular financial reports to the committee on finance, church council, charge conference, and trustees (if applicable), in collaboration with the financial secretary and finance committee chair.
• Ensure segregation of duties: approving payments for expenditures, signing checks, and reconciling bank accounts. No individual should perform more than one of these tasks, and individuals related to one another should not perform any two or more of these tasks.
• Accountability to the charge conference through the church council, employed by SPPRC.

Requirements

• Spiritual gifts: Administration, discernment, giving, faith, helping.
• Financial acumen and detail-oriented record-keeping.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and commitment to the mission.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals and ministry teams.
• Understanding of biblical stewardship, revenue source identification, and management of resources.

Benefits

• Part-time position with flexible hours.
• Opportunity to contribute to the church's mission and community.