JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Diocesan Parish Accountant / Job Holder: Vacant
Job Location: Finance Secretariat, Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe, Dublin D03P2E7
Reports to: Head of Finance / Job Specification Effective: 8th February 2017
JOB PURPOSE:
Ensure Compliance by parishes of the Diocese with the Charities Act 2009.
Ensure compliance by parishes with Diocesan administrative guidelines.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Responsibilities / Tasks
Work in co-operation with the Parish Priests and Parish Finance Committees /
  • Promote awareness of the Charities Act 2009 in parishes;
  • Assist parishes with their compliance responsibilities under the Charities Act 2009;
  • Work with the Diocesan Book-keeping and Training Team to ensure that parishes make their annual return by 31st March each year;
  • Confirm parish returns are in order and communicate with parishes in this regard as necessary;
  • Process the central parish adjustments such as accruals, prepayments and fixed asset adjustment postings;
  • Form positive relationships with parish teams and to advise parishes on matters of financial controls, management compliance and governance;
  • Monitor that the software systems (parish pastoral system and Accounts IQ) are being used appropriately in parishes;
  • Make recommendations to the Head of Finance where concerns arise;
  • Attend meetings with the management team to present up-dates to parishes and groups of parishes as necessary;
  • Promote cost controls and management in parishes;
  • Increase the number of parishes using the pastoral management system.

Financial IT /
  • Regularly review and work with the software suppliers to up-date the parish pastoral system and Accounts IQ for system improvements;
  • Review contracts with the software suppliers.

Annual Audit /
  • Prepare the annual financial statements for the combined parishes of the Diocese of Dublin;
  • Arrange and manage the annual audit to commence before 30thJune each year;
  • Manage the selection and appointment of the auditor who will conduct the audit of the combined parishes of the Diocese of Dublin.

The above contains the main outline of duties and cannot be complete. Tasks may arise which don’t fall within the remit of the above list of main duties. Staff members are required to respond flexibly when ad hoc tasks arise which are not specifically covered in their job description. Should an additional responsibility become a regular part of a Parish Account’s job, the job description will be amended to reflect this.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Knowledge (Qualifications & Related Experience):
  • Appropriate professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, ACMA);
  • 5 years’ + experience in an accountancy and systems role with a focus on management information systems e.g. experience of producing management accounts, book keeping for small businesses, dealing with a broad range of clients, differing payroll and accounts systems;
  • Commercial background with internal or external audit experience;
  • Technical knowledge in the areas of financial accounting and reporting management accounting and financial planning, general business, information technology and taxation;
  • Trained and experienced in ensuring the reliability of financial information (e.g., existence, accuracy, and completeness of information);
  • Capable of researching, evaluating and advising parishes on the appropriate accounting treatment for transactions and accounting systems;
  • Experience of aggregating information from various sources to ensure clear and accurate reports;
  • Understanding of the application of legislation to the financial requirements of parishes (SORP and FRS);
  • Specific working knowledge of current software used in accounting, auditing and financial applications (e.g. Spreadsheet (advanced excel), financial statement presentation, auditing and database);
  • Knowledge of the ethos and practices of the Catholic Church, particularly the structure of parishes and the people involved in parish work.

Key Behaviours:
  • Parish focus, exercising a consistent high level of professional judgement;
  • Excellent analytical skills and the ability to synthesise complex information from diverse sources into coherent, clearly written reports;
  • Empathetic, yet persuasive, when dealing with sensitive parish financial issues;
  • Maintains positive, productive relationships with parishes and colleagues;
  • Positive and pro-active attitude with regard to achieving goals;
  • Self motivated and comfortable working on own initiative (e.g. Working from home may be occasionally required).

Key Skills:
  • Presenting information/ reports to management objectively, concisely and clearly;
  • Problem solving skills - a person who can identify, address and resolve problems;
  • Strong communication skills both verbal and written;
  • Implementing accounting systems;
  • Advanced interpersonal and influencing skills;
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills - due to the out of office requirements of this role, a high level of personal organisation is expected;
  • Multi-tasking;
  • Driving Licence and the use of a car is required.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
Parish Priests;
Parish Finance Committees;
Bishops and Episcopal Vicars;
Moderator of the Curia;
General Manager;
Head of Finance;
Members of the Diocesan Parish Accounting Team;
Office for Financial Development;
Other Diocesan Staff. / External
System Suppliers (currently AIQ and Enclude);
External Auditors;
Charities Regulatory Authority;
Revenue Commissioners;
Bankers.