Job Description: Accountant First United Methodist

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Job Description: Accountant First United Methodist Church, Madison, WI

Summary: Responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records, preparing financial reports, assisting with budget development and monitoring, managing cash flow, assisting with revenue accounting, and ensuring proper processing of cash receipts and disbursements. Minimum Qualifications: 1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting 2. Three years’ experience with non-profit or fund accounting, including financial reporting and audit preparation 3. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and at least one financial accounting system 4. Excellent organizational and time management skills with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines 5. Temperamentally well-suited to collaborative work with volunteers and staff with diverse perspectives and experience Desirable Qualifications:   

Church accounting experience Budget development experience Demonstrated ability to produce auditable financial statements

Required Knowledge and Skills:      

Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles specific to non-profit and fund accounting. Ability to input, use, and extract information and reports from accounting software, and willingness to fully understand the system’s functions. Ability to maintain accurate financial records and create financial reports that are understandable and compliant with applicable accounting principles. Professionalism and sensitivity in personal interactions on the phone, via email, and in person. Written communications that are accurate, concise, and clear. Understanding and commitment to maintain appropriate confidentiality.

Major Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: 1. Responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records for multiple church funds (operating fund, designated and restricted funds, property fund, and endowment funds), using a modified cash basis. This will include tracking and reporting of revenues and expenses associated with both unrestricted and purpose-restricted contributions, as well as special events and projects. 2. Serve as the primary contact with the church’s financial institutions, including banks, investment firms, and lenders. Maintain relationships, monitor weekly deposits, manage cash flow requirements, and reconcile monthly account statements.

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Job Description: Accountant First United Methodist Church, Madison, WI

3. Coordinate with the Chief of Operations, Membership Secretary, and FUMC Foundation Treasurer to record bequests and stock gifts, completing appropriate documentation and depositing proceeds in appropriate accounts. Ensure that all revenues are recorded appropriately and timely in the general ledger. Assist in developing analyses and reports related to various types of giving, both unrestricted and restricted, as well as other revenues. 4. Work with an external payroll accountant, ensuring that payroll master files are kept up to date and that semi-monthly payroll information is properly approved and input. Make entries to the general ledger to accurately record each semi-monthly payroll. Assist with preparation of payroll tax forms, year-end W-2’s and 1099’s, and other payroll and benefits administrative tasks as needed. 5. Ensure that credit card transactions and cash disbursements are properly coded and processed on a timely basis. Work with program staff and ministry teams to ensure appropriate management and reporting for special events, mission trips, and custodial funds. 6. Work with the Chief of Operations and other staff in the creation and monitoring of the annual operating budget (subject to Governing Board approval). Produce accurate and timely monthly operating statements for internal review. 7. Maintain sound internal control procedures, utilizing volunteers and staff to ensure appropriate documentation of review and approval, and to achieve adequate separation of duties. 8. Produce quarterly and fiscal yearend financial statements, for review by the Governing Board and dissemination to church members. Provide bi-monthly reports from the Endowment Fund for the FUMC Foundation Treasurer. Develop and produce special project reports and other analyses as needed by the Governing Board, the FUMC Foundation Board, ministry teams, and staff. 9. Assist with the annual external audit of financial statements. 10. Take a leading role in selection and implementation of a new accounting system (in 2015-16). Acquire and maintain expertise in the new system and ensure that best practices are followed related to back-up, archiving, and system updates. 11. Perform other financial, administrative, and support duties as assigned. 
 This position is full-time, exempt. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to hiring. A six-month period of evaluation will be required. First United Methodist Church is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. 
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