Chief Financial Officer

The Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church is pleased to announce a search for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to manage the finance office and serve as the chief source of advice and information on fiscal management, assuring professional application of all accounting principles. The CFO will communicate regularly with local churches, and Conference leadership; on financial and general business matters and will be a major participant in financial, strategic, and conference-wide planning activities. This position will report to the Executive Director of the Louisiana Conference and will be accountable to the Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) in addition to the Bishop of the Louisiana Conference. The CFO will serve as an ex-officio member on the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits and the Board of Trustees.

Essential Functions:

• Performs and implements policies and practices for cash management, financial record keeping, financial reporting, internal financial controls, accounting functions and other central treasury responsibilities of the conference, assuring professional application of accounting practices on the modified cash basis of accounting.
• Develops and recommends procedures to Conference leadership and committees involving office management, financial data processing, and other fiscal and administrative functions of the Conference.
• Prepares and develops the Conference budget in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Seeks continuous improvement of financial and administrative systems and drives growth, operating efficiencies, revenue maximization, expense management, cost savings initiatives, and alignment of resources to support conference goals, objectives, and initiatives.
• Analyzes financial information and provides strategic direction and leadership to support the Conference's goals, objectives, and initiatives.
• Communicates financial information effectively to diverse stakeholders to promote financial transparency and ensure the fiscal health of the Conference.
• Ensures 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. Coordinates 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.
• Oversees the benefits functions of the Conference.
• Provides supervision of the closed church property administration regarding, but not limited to, the establishment of closed church procedures and policies, insurability, maintenance, listing and selling or donating functions through relationships, staffing, recruiting, and training of conference employees.
• Provides counsel and guidance to local church treasurers, financial secretaries, and committees on finance.
• Oversees and manages staff engaged in accounting, ensuring efficient operations and performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance is required. CPA or advanced degree is preferred.  
• Ten (10) years’ of experience in accounting/finance is required, preferably with a non-profit organization.
• Minimum seven (7) years of supervisory accounting experience.
• High level of proficiency with MS Office products including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience in financial reporting, financial statements, and audits (non-profit and fund accounting preferred).
• Knowledge of personnel management, purchasing, pensions and insurance, and maintenance of property.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Strong verbal, written communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• A deep knowledge of, and commitment to, the United Methodist Church and how it functions at the local church, district, conference and general church levels is especially essential.
• Member of The United Methodist Church is strongly preferred.

The Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.

Closing Date:

February 21, 2025

No Staffing Agencies or Recruitment Firms