Finance Associate

SUMMARY: The Finance Associate’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the finances of 
CRCC are maintained in accordance with the vision, mission and values of CRCC. Under the 
direction of the Finance Director, to plan, organize and perform finance ministry related work as required. 

Responsible to the Finance Director for advice relative to the financial management, revenue, administration, and the efficient administration of the Finance Department. The person in this role acts with a defined degree of interdependence of action in the assigned area of responsibility to attain objectives according to policy guidelines. Expected to follow methods and procedures 
and solve problems to advance the direction of CRCC.

 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Includes the following. Other duties may be reviewed and assigned by the Finance Director.

FINANCE:

• Assist with the processing of transactions and journal entries to general ledger accounts, based on CRCC’s policies and procedures.
• Assist with the review of giving data, and journal entries as needed in the church records.
• Ensure that transactions and journal entries are properly documented in the accounting system with the appropriate approvals, receipts, invoices, and other relevant supporting documents based on CRCC’s policies and procedures.
• Maintains congregational finance data as needed in the Church Management System and online giving system.
• Assist with the monthly reconciliation of bank and credit card accounts, including financial analysis of the accounts as needed and as assigned by the Finance Director
• Assist with month-end/year-end closing in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Assist with the preparation of (month-end/year-end) financial statements.
• Assist with the annual budget preparation as assigned by Finance Director.
• Assist with audit preparation as assigned by the Finance Director. This includes the preparation of audit files and relevant supporting documentation for upcoming audits.
• Helps maintain an accurate record of (lease) contracts and agreements with third parties.
• Assist with the review of (vendor) contracts and agreements as needed and as assigned by the Finance Director.
• Helps maintain an accurate record of capital items, equipment and furnishing.
• Helps to maintain and update the depreciation schedule on a regular basis and as needed. This includes processing of depreciation expenses (journal 
entries) in the church accounting system.
• Assist with ministry related financial research and analysis as assigned by the Finance Director and prepare reports of findings and recommendations as needed.
• Attends meetings, and seminars as needed, and performs related work as required.
• Meets regularly with the Finance Director regarding the status of projects, team activities, and events.
• Helps to maintain and update policies and procedures for the Finance Department.
• Helps to promote fast and accurate operations and financial reporting.
• Assist with the streamlining of the accounting of CRCC in the direction of paperless processes and retention of documents.
• Assist with the integration of the church data base system, giving platform(s), and accounting system.
• Other tasks, projects, and duties as assigned by the Finance Director.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES: As assigned by Finance Director.

 QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with the highest integrity. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or Finance with work experience in accounting and/or Finance.

Communication/Language Skills: Ability to create, read, analyze, and interpret financial statements, proposals, invoices, contracts and agreements. Ability to write reports, correspondence, diagrams and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond 
to questions from staff, congregants, and vendors.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to perform detailed work with numerical data and to make financial computations in support of the business of the church

Reasoning And Analysis Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
 
Build Relationship: Ability to relate to people in an open, friendly, accepting manner; can show sincere interest in others and their concerns; capable of initiating and developing relationships with others as a key priority as part of their ministry. 
 
Collaborative Relationships: Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with team members, internal partners, and external parties. Knows how to seek and encourage collaboration. Can work effectively with people outside formal authority to accomplish goals seeking win-win alternatives. Shares spiritual growth with others to reach best Christ-like 
solution. Can represent ministry interests while being fair to other groups. Has the ability to recognize when relationships are unproductive and take action to improve them.

Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to work under pressure and ability to make decisions according to established guidelines. Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets is required. Must be competent in the use of accounting systems (Intacct), Microsoft Word, 
Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Fellowship One. 
Ministry: Must demonstrate the ability to listen effectively and to communicate clearly, both 
orally and in written form.

RELATIONAL SERVICE: Work with staff, congregants and vendors who inquire in a positive, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable manner, remembering God as their primary focus. Represents CRCC professionally at every contact with staff, congregants and vendors.

ATTENDANCE: Must be able to report to work consistently. Must be able to maintain an attendance record in compliance with CRCC policies and procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must lift and/or move items. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is primarily inside in a climate-controlled Church environment and the noise in both environments is usually moderate.

SAFETY: Requires passing appropriate background checks. Uses problem-solving skills to perform job functions in a safe manner.