Summary/Purpose
The Bookkeeper maintains the financial bookkeeping system of the parish, prepares financial reports and payroll, and assists with the annual budget and any stewardship/development program. This is a part-time position, ideal for a new accounting graduate or a recently retired accountant/bookkeeper who wants to continue working without tremendous stress.
Supervisor/Working Relationships
The Bookkeeper is supervised by the pastor. This individual works collaboratively and professionally with staff, parish and diocesan leadership, volunteers and community.
Responsibilities and Tasks
• Utilizes accounting computer program (QuickBooks) to process and keep records.
• Ensures that the parish computer-based bookkeeping system is maintained and current, including compliance with guidelines and regulations from the Diocese. Prepares and maintains back-up records.
• Ensures parishioner contributions are posted to their accounts on a regular basis. Provides parishioners with an annual statement of contributions to be mailed no later than the last week of January of the following year.
• Sends monies collected to the Diocese for their special collections.
• Maintains awareness of Cathedraticum budget and expenses due the Diocese.
• Maintains bank accounts by recording weekly collection deposits and any other income that comes in by mail. Processes all check requests and ensure proper authorization for expenditures. Reconcile bank statements on a monthly basis.
• Pays all invoices on time, determining and posting them to the correct accounts.
• Prepares financial reports for the pastor and the Parish Finance Council for meetings. Attends Parish Finance Council meetings as a resource person and recording secretary.
• Assists in forming the annual budget for approval of the pastor and Parish Finance Council. When approved, sends the budget to the Diocese before the due date, and informs the different ministries and departments of the approved amounts for their accounts.
• Prepares the accounting portion of the annual report to the Diocese and ensures that it is mailed before the due date.
• Prepares staff payroll through Erie Custom Computer (ECCA) and uploads payroll entry to the ledger. Prepares 1099 forms and reports for the calendar year.
• Maintains human resources files/records according to diocesan guidelines. Monitors, records, the sick and vacation days of office personnel.
Working Conditions
The Finance Director - Bookkeeper is a non-exempt part-time hourly wage position (25-30 hours per week). The employee maintains regular weekday office hours and attends Parish Finance Council meetings (usually 6-7 meetings per year). As a parish employee within the Diocese of Erie, the personnel policies for lay and religious employees apply.
Qualifications
The Bookkeeper must be dependable, highly organized, and able to work independently. This position requires that the employee have attention to detail, the ability to maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines. Two to five years' bookkeeping experience and undergraduate diploma or equivalent is required. Being a practicing Catholic is advisable as it can greatly assist in the work of a Catholic Church Finance Director - Bookkeeper as they interface with parishioners and diocesan officials.
The successful candidate must be able to:
• Maintain confidentiality
• Be trustworthy
• Demonstrate computer competency, Microsoft Office proficiency and excellent data entry and word processing skills
• Exhibit a positive attitude
• Be communicative
• Work independently
• Self-motivated
• Interact in sensitive matters
• Compose business correspondence
• Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers
About the Employer
Our Lady of the Lake Parish is a medium size parish of about 500 families. OLOL generates an active parish life consisting of daily liturgy, faith formation, bible study, a parish-run thrift store, and additional ministries.
Visit our website: OLOLake.com