Finance Director

First United Methodist Church of Dothan; Dothan (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First United Methodist Church of Dothan seeks a Director of Finance to lead the Finance Office, ensuring accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and strategic financial planning for the church and its ministries. The role partners with church leadership to steward resources responsibly and support ministry objectives.

The position oversees all accounting operations, budgeting, payroll, and financial analysis, driving compliance and effective decision-making within a nonprofit church

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or closely related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible accounting/finance experience.
• Experience in nonprofit, church, multi-entity, education, childcare, or similarly complex accounting environments desirable.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practical financial controls.
• Proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel; ability to learn church financial/database systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day Finance Office operations, providing accurate financial information and guidance to church leadership.
• Oversee the general ledger, month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Prepare timely financial statements, budget-to-actual reports, cash-flow information, and other management reports.
• Analyze financial results and communicate variances, trends, and concerns to leadership.
• Develop, document, maintain, and monitor internal controls and procedures; coordinate audits.

Job description

The Director of Finance is responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision, and oversight of the financial operations of First United Methodist Church and the ministries and programs served by the Finance Office, including Respite Ministry, the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC), Wesleyan Day School (WDS), The Shepherd School, and The Harbor.

The Director ensures accurate financial reporting, sound accounting practices, effective internal controls, responsible stewardship, and timely financial information to support church leadership in making informed decisions. Reporting directly to the Church Administrator, the Director of Finance serves as the church's primary professional financial resource and works closely with the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Finance Committee, Church Treasurer, Trustees, and other appropriate leadership.

The position provides financial expertise, analysis, recommendations, and administrative support to church leadership. The Senior Pastor and appropriate governing committees and church leadership retain authority over financial direction, priorities, and major decisions, in accordance with established policies and approval procedures.

The Director of Finance supervises Finance Office personnel and implements approved financial decisions, maintains accountability, and ensures the Finance Office operates efficiently and effectively.

Financial Leadership and Oversight

Manage the Finance Office's day-to-day operations, providing accurate financial information, professional guidance, and administrative support to church leadership.

Ensure financial records are complete, accurate, and timely, and maintain them in accordance with established accounting practices, church policies, donor restrictions, and applicable requirements.

Supervise, develop, and coordinate Finance Office staff; establish clear responsibilities, delegate routine transactions, review procedures and deadlines, and cross-train staff.

Maintain open communication with the Church Administrator, clergy, and lay leadership regarding financial position, trends, risks, and significant issues.

Recommend improvements to financial policies, procedures, systems, and controls as organizational needs evolve.

Accounting and Financial Reporting

Oversee the general ledger and accounting records for FUMC and each ministry/program served by the Finance Office.

Oversee month-end and year-end closing processes, reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules.

Prepare, review, and/or supervise preparation of timely financial statements, budget-to-actual reports, cash-flow information, and other management reports.

Analyze financial results and explain significant variances, trends, opportunities, and concerns to the Church Administrator and appropriate leaders.

Ensure appropriate accounting for designated, restricted, reserve, endowment/investment, memorial, and other special-purpose funds.

Maintain appropriate financial records and retention practices.

Budgeting, Forecasting and Planning

Coordinate and support development of the annual Ministry Plan and budget under the direction of the Church Administrator, Senior Pastor, and Finance Committee, working collaboratively with ministry leaders and other appropriate stakeholders.

Develop financial forecasts and cash-flow projections as needed to support responsible planning and decision-making.

Provide leaders with financial information and analysis to support ministry planning, staffing, capital needs, and major expenditures.

Support stewardship planning with accurate financial information and historical analysis.

Internal Controls and Financial Stewardship

Develop, document, maintain, and monitor financial procedures and internal controls; recommend improvements as needed; and obtain leadership approval for significant changes.Maintain appropriate segregation of duties among receiving funds, recording transactions, approving expenditures, issuing payments, reconciling accounts, and reviewing financial activity.

Administer banking, cash management, and investment-related activities in accordance with approved policies, authorized signatory requirements, and decisions of the appropriate church leadership and committees.

Ensure purchase orders, check requests, purchasing cards, reimbursements, deposits, and disbursements follow approved procedures and authorization levels.

Promptly identify and escalation unusual transactions, control concerns, or financial risks to the Church Administrator and appropriate leadership.

Payroll and Tax/Regulatory Financial Administration

Provide oversight of payroll processing performed by the Bookkeeper and the church's third-party payroll provider.

Ensure payroll-related accounting, reconciliations, tax filings, W-2s, 1099s, and year-end financial reporting are completed accurately and in a timely manner, with appropriate third-party support where applicable.

Coordinate with the HR Coordinator regarding approved hires, separations, compensation changes, benefit deductions, status changes, and other personnel information affecting payroll.

Oversee financial and tax reporting requirements applicable to the church and the ministries/programs served by the Finance Office.

Audit and Committee Support

Coordinate and support the annual audit or financial review, including preparation of schedules, records, confirmations, and responses to auditor requests.

Serve as a primary financial resource to the Finance Committee and Church Treasurer, providing accurate financial reporting, analysis, recommendations, and administrative support, while supplying financial information to the Trustees, Fund Management Committee, SPRC, and other church leadership as appropriate.

Prepare clear financial presentations and reports for committees, staff leaders, and church leadership.

Follow through on approved audit recommendations and financial-control improvements.

Systems and Cross-Department Collaboration

Provide functional leadership for accounting and financial systems and coordinate with database, payroll, banking, and other vendors as needed.

Partner with the HR Coordinator on the interface between personnel actions and payroll while maintaining clear ownership boundaries between HR administration and payroll processing.

Work with ministry and program leaders to ensure timely submission of budgets, invoices, deposits, purchase documentation, and other financial information.

Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment with sensitive financial, donor, payroll, and organizational information.

Ministry Support, Communication, and Relationships

Build and maintain positive, professional, and collaborative working relationships with the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Church Administrator, ministry leaders, staff, Finance Committee members, and congregation.

Serve as a responsive and trusted financial resource to the Senior Pastor, providing timely information, assistance, and financial insight to support pastoral leadership and ministry priorities.

Provide attentive, courteous, and timely assistance to Finance Committee members, church members, and others seeking financial information or support, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

Approach financial questions, spending requests, and budget concerns with professionalism, sound judgment, and a constructive, solutions-oriented mindset.

Partner with ministry leaders to help them understand budgets, manage resources responsibly, and accomplish ministry objectives within established financial guidelines.

Communicate financial concerns respectfully and proactively, offering practical recommendations and alternatives rather than simply identifying problems.

Foster a welcoming, service-oriented culture within the Finance Office that reflects the church's commitment to Christian hospitality, stewardship, and excellence.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Church Administrator or Senior Pastor in support of the church's mission, ministries, and operations.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field required; substantial directly relevant experience may be considered in combination with education; MBA/CPA license strongly preferred

Five years of progressively responsible accounting/finance experience, including financial reporting, budgeting, reconciliations, internal controls, and supervision or leadership.

Experience in nonprofit, church, multi-entity, education, childcare, or similarly complex accounting environments highly desirable.

Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practical financial controls; nonprofit/fund accounting knowledge preferred.

Demonstrated ability to analyze financial information and communicate it clearly to both financial and non-financial leaders.

Strong proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel; ability to learn and lead use of church financial/database systems.

Exceptional integrity, confidentiality, accuracy, organization, judgment, and attention to detail.

Ability to lead a small Finance Office while balancing strategic financial leadership with hands-on oversight of accounting operations.

Demonstrates a positive, approachable, service-oriented attitude and a genuine commitment to supporting the mission and ministries of the church.

Possesses exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively with pastors, staff, ministry leaders, committee members, and church members.

Exercises professionalism, discretion, patience, and sound judgment when addressing financial concerns, competing priorities, and sensitive situations.