Controller

InvigorateHR; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana seeks a Controller to own the full accounting and payroll cycle, driving accuracy and structure for a mission-driven ministry.

This hands-on role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and collaborates with leadership to ensure timely monthly closes, compliant payroll tax filings, and strong internal controls that support staff, clergy, and donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Three to five+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience, nonprofit/faith-based preferred.
• CPA licensure or progress toward it is a plus.
• Experience with nonprofit fund accounting and payroll/payroll tax basics.
• Working knowledge of QuickBooks, Sage Intacct or similar software; familiarity with ADP/Paychex or Intuit payroll.

Responsibilities

• Enter and categorize income and expenses across accounts.
• Reconcile bank, loan, and credit card accounts monthly; post month-end entries.
• Maintain general ledger and fixed asset listings; prepare 1099s.
• Manage accounts payable and payroll processes; ensure accurate remittances.
• Oversee tithing, donations, and donor-restricted fund tracking.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and assist with budgeting.

Job description

CONTROLLER

Christ Church Cathedral | Indianapolis, Indiana

Do you love the satisfaction of a clean monthly close? Doyou want your day-to-day work to support a mission bigger than the bottom line?

If so, Christ Church Cathedral would love to talk with you about becoming our next Controller.

Why This Role

This is a hands-on, high-trust position for someone who wants ownership over the full accounting and payroll cycle - not just a piece of it. You'll be the Cathedral's primary internal financial resource, working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and leadership to keep our financial house in order so our staff and clergy can focus on serving our congregation and our city. You'll bring structure, accuracy, and a steady hand to everything from the monthly close to payroll tax filings, while also having a voice in how we strengthen our internal controls and financial processes going forward.

What You'll Do

General Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Enter and categorize income and expense transactions across bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and other accounts


• Reconcile bank, loan, and credit card accounts monthly, and make adjusting journal entries as needed


• Post to and maintain the general ledger, including month-end journal entries


• Maintain fixed asset listings and depreciation schedules, and prepare 1099s for subcontractors


• Manage accounts payable, including vendor invoices, check runs, and payment authorization


• Oversee the tithing process - recording pledges and donations, preparing giving statements, and reconciling donation records against deposits

Financial Reporting & Planning

• Prepare monthly financial statements, including balance sheets and fund-based income statements


• Track restricted funds, designated gifts, and grant obligations to ensure donor compliance


• Assist with the annual budget and multi-year financial forecasts


• Meet Diocese of Indianapolis reporting requirements, including the annual parochial report and assessment remittances


• Present at Finance Committee meetings and serve as the primary liaison to external auditors and the CPA firm

Payroll Administration & Compliance

• Process bi-weekly payroll, including direct deposit, new hire setup, and benefit remittances


• Remit 941 deposits and file federal and Indiana payroll tax forms (941, WH-3, W-2/W-3, and related filings)


• Report new hires to the state within required timelines and maintain I-9/W-4 documentation

Internal Controls & Stewardship

• Safeguard Cathedral assets through documented, audit-ready cash-handling procedures


• Design and strengthen internal controls to promote accurate reporting and prevent fraud


• Flag known or suspected irregularities to leadership right away

What You Bring

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field


• Three to five or more years of progressively responsible accounting experience, ideally in a nonprofit, faith-based, or mission-driven organization


• Comfort with fund accounting; CPA licensure or progress toward it is a plus, not a requirement


• Working knowledge of accounting software (QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, or similar) and payroll platforms (ADP, Paychex, or Intuit)


• Strong Excel skills and familiarity with federal and Indiana payroll tax requirements

Personal Qualities We Value

• Meticulous and organized, with a genuine commitment to accuracy


• Trustworthy with confidential financial and personnel information


• A clear communicator who can translate numbers for non-financial audiences - clergy, vestry members, and ministry leaders alike


• Respectful of and energized by a multicultural, faith-based community


• Collaborative, with a service-minded approach to supporting a mission-driven team

The Details

• Full-time, exempt position reporting to the Chief Operating Officer


• Primarily office-based; Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with occasional flexibility needed during audit season, year-end close, and Finance Committee meetings

Ready to put your gifts to work for a mission you believe in? We'd love to hear from you.