Diocese of New Jersey Chief Financial Officer Ministry Description
The CFO supports the Diocesan mission to form people as disciples of Jesus Christ so they can carry out God’s mission of reconciliation in the world.. This support takes the form of advising, resourcing and building strong relationships and sound operational financial practices between and throughout the congregations of the diocese.
As a member of the diocesan staff, the CFO gives support to the work of the Bishop and to other colleagues on the staff. The CFO is thus responsible both to advise the Bishop and the diocesan staff on financial matters and to provide such support on those matters as is required by the Bishop or the other members of the diocesan staff.
The authority for the financial life of the Diocese of New Jersey (“Diocese”) derives from the Diocesan Convention whose financial officer is the Treasurer. The Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Diocese fills a position created by the Diocesan Convention and is defined in the Canons of the Diocese of New Jersey.
This is a fulltime position open to both clergy and lay applicants.
Cooperation with the Treasurer of the Diocese is essential to the satisfactory exercise of the office of the CFO. The Treasurer and CFO are subject to the ultimate direction of the Diocesan Convention and the interim direction of the Diocesan Council. The CFO shall be responsible to and work under the immediate direction of the Treasurer and the Bishop of the Diocese, or the Bishop’s designee.
The Chief Financial Officer will:
Oversee Funds entrusted to the Diocese for the work of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey, with responsibility for:
- Maintenance of the books and records of the Diocese to conform with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Monthly and annual closings
- Working closely with the Diocesan Council and applicable diocesan committees, commissions and staff on the development and implementation of formal, written financial and management accounting policies and procedures, consistent with the required practices and canons of the Diocese of New Jersey and the Episcopal
- Annual audits of all diocesan entities and accounts
Work with the Bishop, the Treasurer, Diocesan Council, the Finance & Budget Committee, the Trustees of Diocesan Trust Funds, and the Trustees of the Diocesan Investment Trust with responsibility for:
- attending meetings of and assisting the Treasurer’s monthly report to Diocesan Council
- assisting in the preparation and management of the operating budget
- ensuring the accuracy and completeness of accounting functions
- monitoring expenditure of funds as directed by those who exercise proper authority over the funds,
- assisting with investment of cash balances of diocesan funds
- producing periodic financial reports to reflect the current and prospective condition of diocesan accounts
- providing the auditors with the necessary documentation for them to complete in a timely manner the audits of the Diocesan Administrative Office, the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund and the Diocesan Investment Trust.
- Develop, promote and implement creative resourcing options to support the mission and ministry of the diocese with specific focus on congregational development and growth initiatives, formation initiatives, and discipleship initiatives
Working with the Trustees: The CFO:
- oversees the use of Diocesan Trust Funds as authorized by the Trustees of Diocesan Trust Funds and Diocesan Council
- assists with the financial ramifications related to the care of and sale of any property and/or buildings as authorized by the Trustees of Church Property, Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee
- works with Church Insurance on matters pertaining to property
- together with the Chancellor, gathers and maintains in safe keeping all needed documents related to each and every Diocesan Trust (both Funds and Properties), including copies of all founding documents and all amendments.
Working with the Corporation for the Relief of Widows, Widowers & Children of Clergy:
- attending meetings of and preparing reports for the CWWC Board and Executive Council
- ensuring the accuracy and completeness of accounting functions
- monitoring expenditure of funds as directed by those who exercise proper authority over the funds,
- assisting with investment of cash balances of CWWC funds
- producing periodic financial reports to reflect the current and prospective condition of CWWC accounts
- providing the auditors with the necessary documentation for them to complete in a timely manner the audit of the CWWC.
Working with the Campus Ministry Foundation:
- attending meetings of and preparing financial reports for the CMF Board
- ensuring the accuracy and completeness of accounting functions
- assisting with investment, distribution and management of cash balances of CMF funds
- implementing financial strategic initiatives of the CMF, including mortgaging of property and annual audit.
Working with Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of NJ:
- attending meetings of and preparing financial reports for the ECS-NJ Advisory Council
- ensuring the accuracy and completeness of accounting functions
- supervising/coordinating donor acknowledgments with the Director of Development
- assisting with investment, distribution and management of cash balances of ECS-NJ funds
- implementing financial strategic initiatives of the ECS-NJ, including ongoing fundraising initiatives and annual audit.
General financial management: The CFO manages the accounting of the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund, and manages the contracts and relationships with financial institutions and major vendors in cooperation with the Bishop.
Assists at convocation meetings and pre-convention hearings held in various locations and attends the Annual Convention and any Special Convention of the Diocese as required.
Produces periodic articles and reports, concerning the financial life of the Church and of interest to members of the Diocese, for dissemination to the members of the Diocese.
Serves as diocesan staff officer on all financial issues with the Episcopal Church, the United Thank Offering and the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund.
Collaborates with Bishop and other diocesan staff members to assist in financial aspects of transition ministry and congregational consultation.
Works with the Chancellor on legal matters requiring financial assistance and/or advice.
Serve as staff resource, help manage staff functions and coordination, and develop and implement creative resourcing for the following committees, councils and boards:
- Audit Committee
- Board of Missions
- Congregational Development Committee/Lifelong Christian Formation
- Trustees of the Diocesan Investment Trust
- Finance and Budget Committee
- Benefits Committee
- Loan and Grant Committee
- Standing Commission on Clerical Compensation
- Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons
- Stewardship Commission
- Trustees of Diocesan Trust Funds
- Standing Committee
- Corporation for the Relief of Widows, Widowers & Children of Clergy
- Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of NJ
Provide personnel management and guidance, with responsibility for:
- administration of employee payroll and benefits
- maintenance of employee payroll records, new employee payroll and benefits orientations and open enrollments.
- assisting the benefits management firm and the Bishop in the administration of and planning process for benefits for the employees of the Diocese.
- mentoring, coaching and supervising direct employees reporting to the CFO and preparing annual performance reviews for such employees.
- At the direction of the Bishop, producing financial reports and other information for the diocesan staff and assists the diocesan staff in financial matters.
Provide financial assistance and communications, and build relationships and trust, with congregations of the Diocese responsibility for:
- maintaining financial and management accounting records on each parish and mission in the Diocese including, but not limited to, annual Parochial Reports, Fair Share commitment records, outstanding diocesan loans, and audits
- advising all congregations of their Fair Share Asking
- serving as a consultant and advisor to church treasurers and financial officers on financial and administrative matters, and collaborating in the design and leadership of diocesan workshops and training events
Qualifications/Experience:
- Background and work demonstrating ability to provide advice, guidance, coordination and training for congregations, clergy and lay people in the areas outlined above
- Background and work demonstrating ability to work with clergy, lay people and congregations in diverse cultural, socio-economic, ministry/mission and community contexts
- Familiarity with the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of New Jersey, and commitment to resourcing that mission and ministry
- Commitment to and understanding of the work of anti-racism and willingness to receive ongoing training in anti-racism.
- Strong interpersonal and negotiations skills and demonstrated personal
- Professionally trained in matters of finance, administration, and accounting
- An MBA in Finance or Accounting, and/or CPA designation
- Proficiency needed in Blackbaud or other Fund Accounting Software, and Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
- Demonstrated skills in complex financial management, strategic thinking and planning Understanding of related technology and legal fields
- Overall ability to assimilate and evaluate large amounts of information
- Proven ability to communicate clearly in both oral and written communications
- Proven ability to transmit information clearly, with precision and in a timely manner
- The CFO is expected to work collaboratively with the Bishop and diocesan staff as a team member and demonstrate personal qualities of confidentiality, integrity, honesty, transparency and high ethical standards.
- Demonstrates sound business, managerial, organizational and management
Application Process
Applications should be sent via email or postal mail to:
Canon Phyllis B. Jones
Chief Operating/Chief Financial Officer
Diocese of New Jersey
808 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
Office Phone: 609-460-5400
Cellphone: 908-303-6196
Fax: 609-394-9546
Email: pjones@dioceseofnj.org
