What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounting Specialist III position at Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson and Affiliated...?
Diocese of Tucson
Job Description
Job Title: Accounting Specialist III
Status: Full-Time (Non-Exempt) Salary Grade: 27
Location: Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center / Fiscal Department – Tucson, AZ
Primary Function:
Under the direction of the Senior Accountant, Controller, and CFO, the Accounting Specialist II provides comprehensive bookkeeping and accounting services not only for parishes and schools, but also for certain diocesan entities. In addition to parish accounting duties, this position will assist with tasks typically managed by the Senior Accountant, helping to reconcile accounts, prepare financial reports, and support month-end and year-end processes for the broader Diocese. Essential to the role is a strong grasp of fund accounting concepts, QuickBooks proficiency (or similar software), advanced Microsoft Excel skills, and familiarity with Adobe for document management. The Employee shall be a minister of the Gospel and Catholic Teaching behaviorally while at work and in his/her personal life, “…Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” (Eph. 4:1)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Perform in support of the Church and the diocese’s spiritual and pastoral mission.
- Shall abide by Catholic principles in the employee’s professional and private life and shall govern his/her professional and private life in strict accordance with Catholic morals and principles to demonstrate complete adherence to Catholic moral structures.
- Full-Charge Bookkeeping: Record weekly collections, tuition, grants, and other cash receipts for multiple parishes or schools.
- Accounts Payable/Receivable: Process vendor payments, maintain vendor files, and oversee billing and collections.
- Payroll: Oversee parish/school employee time tracking, review for accuracy, and finalize payroll system transactions bi-weekly; post payroll entries to the general ledger.
- Financial Reporting: Generate monthly financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet) and circulate them to parish finance councils, Boards of Directors, or school leadership.
- General Ledger Maintenance: Support the Senior Accountant in maintaining and reconciling general ledgers for diocesan offices, trusts, or other assigned entities under the Diocese’s purview.
- Month-End & Year-End Close: Assist with closing procedures by preparing journal entries, reconciling bank/investment accounts, and reviewing accruals for diocesan entities, as directed by the Controller and/or CFO.
- Delegated Tasks: Take on specific bookkeeping responsibilities or special projects delegated by the Senior Accountant, Controller, or CFO to streamline workload across the finance team.
- Budget Assistance: Work with the Controller and CFO in developing and monitoring parish/school/diocesan budgets, compiling historical data and preparing forecast scenarios as needed.
- Audit & Compliance: Prepare requested schedules and supporting documentation for internal reviews or external audits; maintain a clear audit trail for all transactions.
- Coordination & Communication: Collaborate regularly with parish leadership, school principals, diocesan department heads, and external stakeholders to ensure clarity and consistency in financial processes.
- Document Management: Use Adobe and electronic filing systems to organize invoices, receipts, and internal forms, upholding diocesan standards for data security and confidentiality.
- Internal Controls: Ensure adherence to diocesan internal control policies; recommend process improvements to senior leadership, and internal auditor, where appropriate.
- Policy Adherence: Maintain financial records in compliance with USCCB guidelines and established fund accounting procedures, especially when handling restricted or designated funds.
Physical/Mental Requirements
- Normal manual dexterity, visual acuity, and coordination; ability to lift or carry items as typical in a standard office setting.
- Extended periods of sitting, standing, and keyboarding as needed.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of five years’ progressive bookkeeping/accounting experience, ideally in a non-profit or faith-based organization utilizing fund accounting.
Technical Proficiency
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, data analysis) and Adobe for document management.
- Hands-on experience using QuickBooks (or a similar accounting software) for general ledger, account reconciliation, and reporting.
- Familiarity with payroll systems and standard payroll accounting best practices.
Skills & Attributes
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills suited for collaboration with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines.
- High standard of professional integrity and confidentiality, consistent with the Diocese’s mission.
Other/Preferred Skills
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is advantageous.
- Practical knowledge of Catholic Church structure, ministries, and diocesan operations; active participation in the faith community is preferred where appropriate.
- Availability to travel to various parish or diocesan sites; occasional weekend/evening work for finance council meetings or special projects.
Covenants of Employment:
The Diocese of Tucson is a Roman Catholic religious organization, and all employees are expected to respect and conduct themselves in accordance with the values, teachings, and morals of the Roman Catholic Church and by Arizona state law. Under the “Zero Tolerance Policy”, no one will be knowingly assigned or retained to serve in the Diocese when that person is determined to have engaged in the abuse of a minor or to have violated boundaries in dealing with minors.
