Overall Responsibility
The Parish Auditor is responsible for planning and performing internal audits and reviews of financial statements of parishes within the territory of the Diocese of Bridgeport, which encompasses Fairfield County, CT. The Parish Auditor will act as a business consultant to the parishes testing internal controls and providing valuable recommendations to pastors and administrators.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Evaluate internal controls to ensure compliance with established diocesan financial policies, procedures and practices, as well as relevant state and federal laws.
- Share best practices among parishes with the goal of improving the internal control environment along with improving parish financial performance.
- Perform and control the full audit cycle including risk and internal control review over financial reliability and compliance with all applicable Diocesan parish directives and regulations.
- Perform specific procedures to validate balances and activity recorded in the financial statements (Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities).
- Participate in the development and updating of an internal control questionnaire and audit program.
- Perform standardized testing of various areas, such as governance, banking, cash receipts, disbursements, and payroll, using audit program provided.
- Evaluate risk and prepare reports on findings with recommendations to strengthen internal controls and compliance.
- Perform follow-up reviews to ensure that action plans to address internal control findings have been completed.
- Present internal control reports to pastors, staff, the diocese.
- Maintain open communication with management and diocesan leadership.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience/Education/Qualifications/Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or equivalent experience; bachelor’s degree preferred.
- CPA or MBA preferred.
- 5 years minimum professional experience in accounting and auditing (non-profit environment preferred).
- A dynamic and results-oriented professional with a solid foundation in internal auditing and generally accepted accounting principles, exceptional analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels to drive organizational excellence and accountability.
- Knowledge of parish operations, preferred.
- Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook), Google and Adobe Acrobat.
- Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner requiring minimal oversight.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interface with the Clergy, Accountant, Finance Council with whom there is interaction on financial matters.
- Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational skills.
- Able to multitask efficiently and effectively.
- Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church preferred. At a minimum, a respect for and basic understanding of the Catholic Faith.
