The New Unified Conference: Chief Financial Officer

Date Posted: 2/27/2024

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The New Unified Conference, Dallas or Fort Worth, TX

Job Description

The Central Texas, North Texas, and Northwest Texas Conferences, pending approval of the Southcentral Jurisdictional Conference in July, will become one Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. The Joint Personnel Committee for these three conferences announces a search for the Chief Financial Officer for the yet to be named NEW UNIFIED CONFERENCE and invites inquiries and resumes for the position. The conference is committed to fostering inclusion, understanding, and respect for diversity within our churches and community. Rooted in our faith-based values, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, celebrated, and valued.

The Central Texas, North Texas, and Northwest Texas Conferences have been in conversations since early 2023 to explore the process of unification. Throughout the spring and summer of 2023, Bishop Saenz, along with clergy and lay leaders from all three conferences, worked together on a plan to unify the three conferences. Working together as one body with a unified vision and strategic priorities, the NEW CONFERENCE will be well-positioned to multiply Jesus followers following the widely anticipated adoption of new conference boundaries by the summer of 2024.

The Joint Personnel Committee seeks a strategic leader with financial management experience in the nonprofit sector to join the senior leadership team as the next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This key role in the financial leadership of the conference is responsible for ensuring sound financial management, transparency, and accountability. The CFO will manage the overall functioning of the finance and administrative services team, including employee benefits and insurance programs, and will serve as the chief source of advice for aligning the financial strategies with the overall goals and objectives of the conference.

Primary Roles

• Design and implement effective and streamlined administrative and financial systems – including budgeting, accounting, audit, information technology (IT), and physical infrastructure – to meet conference goals, objectives, and initiatives.
• Seek continuous improvement of financial and administrative systems and drive growth, operating efficiencies, revenue maximization, expense management, cost savings initiatives, and alignment of resources to support conference goals, objectives, and initiatives.
• Analyze financial information and provide strategic direction and leadership to support the conference’s goals, objectives, and initiatives.
• Communicate financial information effectively to diverse stakeholders to promote financial transparency and ensure the fiscal health of the conference.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders in the conference to meet goals and objectives.
• Anticipate emerging trends, assess potential strengths, internal weaknesses, external threats, and opportunities, and work proactively to develop and effectively implement solutions.
• Oversee all treasury responsibilities (including cash management and strategies) of the conference, assuring professional application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Oversee conference benefits for all matters relating to pension, health, disability, and life insurance.
• Serve as the Treasurer of the Conference Board of Trustees. Provide support for Trustee investment and property activities in compliance with federal, state, church, and conference requirements.
• Coordinate the mandatory property and liability insurance coverage for all churches, camps, Wesley Foundations, new church start facilities, and subsidiaries of the conference as applicable.
• Prepare, develop, and manage the approval of the conference budget in timely consultation with the senior leadership team, Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and other relevant conference committees.
• Oversee management of all board and designated funds in compliance with GAAP, federal and state laws.
• Ensure the distribution of accurate and timely month-end and year-end reports for all conference senior staff, boards, agencies, and other related parties as required. Coordinate the preparation and distribution of regular and periodic reports related to funding and cost management, inclusive of budget management as appropriate, to staff, boards, and agencies.
• Oversee the payroll process for employee compensation; process in compliance with payroll dates, quarterly and annual reporting due to the IRS and other regulatory agencies as required; inclusive of payroll service vendor if applicable.
• Manage the annual audit process with the third-party audit firm, including audit information, workpapers, and financial reports. 
• Serve as the Conference Statistician to provide annual reports and data as needed from the remittance system and the year-end reports provided by the local church. Ensure all statistical reports are submitted in a timely manner.
• Lead and manage staff and contractors in the Financial Stewardship Team engaged in accounting, administration, and IT functions.
• Provide counsel and guidance to local church treasurers, financial secretaries, and committees on finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field is required (e.g., Finance, Accounting, etc.). Advanced degree preferred.
• CPA is preferred but not required.
• Five to seven years of experience in fund accounting.
• Five to seven years of supervisory experience, with previous management experience supervising professional staff of diversity.
• Comprehensive knowledge of non-profit governance, management, accounting, financial planning, and business processes.
• Working knowledge of benefits and insurance are preferred.
• Working knowledge of computer-based networks and financial software packages, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and specialized accounting application software.
• Proven experience in nonprofit management or organizational development is strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, including the ability to set goals, develop actionable plans, and measure performance against objectives.
• Proven ability to analyze problems, think creatively, and develop innovative solutions that align with organizational goals.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to support strategic initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.
• Knowledge of The United Methodist Church and its structure and polity is preferred.

Additional Considerations

• Hybrid work environment
• Generous health and welfare benefits
• 22 Vacation Days
• 12 Holidays 

No Staffing Agencies or Recruitment Firms

How to Apply

Email a resume and cover letter to
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone: 615-369-2357