Parish Services Consultant – West Region Parish Financial Services

Parish Services Consultant – West Region (FT), Parish Financial Services

The Parish Service Consultant is a multifunctional specialist role that reports directly to the Director of Parish Financial Services and serves as a liaison between the Archdiocese, its Parishes, the Regional Vicars and Bishops. The person in this position will be the liaison for parishes located in Carlisle, MA all the way down to Plainville, MA. The Parish Service Consultant provides financial analysis, communication, support, and implementation of Archdiocesan policies to assist parishes.

Specific responsibilities include analysis, training, and support to parishes in the areas of financial management, planning, budget review, computer and personnel management. Responsibilities also include consultation among Parish Services, Regional Services and other related Archdiocesan departments and agencies, as necessary.

• Communicate, assist, and provide recommendations to the Director Parish Services, Director Parish Financial Services, Pastors, Business Managers, Regional Bishop, Vicar Forane, and Parish Operations as it relates to the local Vicariates.
• Provide active vicariate representation through attendance at meetings on the Vicariate, Archdiocesan, Regional and Parish levels.
• Provide assistance to Archdiocesan Agencies such as the Catholic Foundation, Catholic Schools Foundation. Participate in local planning efforts at individual parish, vicariate and regional levels.
• Assist Archdiocesan committees and local planning groups, participating in data gathering activities, evaluation and recommendations of options including implementation, and attending meetings as needed.

• Advise Pastors and parishes in the areas of financial management, planning and analysis to maximize short term and long- term cash management. Areas of advice include but are not limited to, review of accounts receivable, accounts payable, capital project funding, loan repayment, financial controls and grants.
• Provide assistance and review of parish budgets and annual reports. Advise Director Parish Financial Services, Parish Operations, and Regional Vicars of outstanding issues or concerns, as needed or required.
• Facilitate the implementation of Best Practices at the parish level. Includes verification and review of financial controls; documentation, policy and procedures, and audit recommendation follow up.
• Advise Pastors, Business Managers and provide support with the establishment, refinement and education of Parish Finance Councils.
• Provide general advice and guidance to Parishes regarding operational needs
• Assist with identification of parish software and hardware requirements to ensure effective management of parish operations and financial records, including assistance in the procurement of equipment through the Archdiocesan MIS department.
• Assist in coordinating training requirements for parish staff, as needed.

• Assist in the coordination of Archdiocesan policies and procedures with Pastor, Parish Councils, staffs in areas of Real Estate, Facilities and Insurance/Risk Management.
• Assist parish in providing financial/business planning and analysis for proposed capital projects, construction and borrowings.

• Serve as liaison between parishes and Human Resources regarding issues as detailed below.
• Assist in the communication and implementation of Archdiocesan policies regarding hiring procedures, employee benefits, compensation, disciplinary and termination requirements, as needed.
• Assist with Parish human resource issues in consultation with Archdiocesan Human Resources department.
• Conduct periodic informational meetings to familiarize Parishes with Archdiocesan policies, procedures and Best Practices.
• Interact in positive and professional manner with staff and visitors at the Pastoral Center.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Minimum 8 years demonstrated work experience in accounting, finance and/or management;…