Finance Director

First United Methodist Church is seeking a finance leader to direct the church’s financial operations and Finance Office ministries/programs. This role manages day-to-day finance functions, provides oversight of accounting and internal controls, and delivers timely financial information to support leadership decision-making. The position is based in Dothan, AL and is on-site.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Finance Office, ensuring accurate financial information, professional guidance, and administrative support for church leadership.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely financial records in accordance with established accounting practices, church policies, donor restrictions, and other applicable requirements.
• Supervise, develop, and coordinate Finance Office staff; define responsibilities, delegate routine transactions, review procedures and deadlines, and support cross-training.
• 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.
• Oversee the general ledger and accounting records for First United Methodist Church and each ministry/program supported by the Finance Office.
• Oversee month-end and year-end closing activities, including reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules.
• Prepare, review, and/or supervise 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 proper accounting for designated and restricted funds, reserve, endowment/investment, memorial, and other special-purpose funds.
• Maintain appropriate financial records and retention practices.
• Coordinate and support development of the annual Ministry Plan and budget under direction of the Church Administrator, Senior Pastor, and Finance Committee, working with ministry leaders and stakeholders.
• Develop financial forecasts and cash-flow projections as needed to support planning and responsible decision-making.
• Provide financial information and analysis to support ministry planning, staffing, capital needs, and major expenditures.
• Support stewardship planning using accurate financial information and historical analysis.
• Develop, document, maintain, and monitor financial procedures and internal controls; obtain leadership approval for significant changes.
• Maintain segregation of duties across receiving funds, recording transactions, approving expenditures, issuing payments, reconciling accounts, and reviewing financial activity.
• Administer banking, cash management, and investment-related activities per approved policies, authorized signatory requirements, and leadership committee decisions.
• Ensure purchase orders, check requests, purchasing cards, reimbursements, deposits, and disbursements follow approved procedures and authorization levels.
• Identify and escalate unusual transactions, control concerns, or financial risks to the Church Administrator and appropriate leadership.
• 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 reporting are completed accurately and timely with third-party support as applicable.
• Coordinate with the HR Coordinator on approved hires, separations, compensation changes, benefit deductions, status changes, and other personnel information impacting payroll.
• Oversee applicable financial and tax reporting requirements for the church and ministries/programs supported by the Finance Office.
• 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; provide reporting, analysis, recommendations, and administrative support, including financial information as appropriate for Trustees, Fund Management Committee, SPRC, and other leadership.
• Prepare clear financial presentations and reports for committees, staff leaders, and church leadership.
• Follow through on approved audit recommendations and internal control improvements.
• 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 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 use sound judgment with sensitive financial, donor, payroll, and organizational information.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Church Administrator or Senior Pastor in support of the church’s mission, ministries, and operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field required; substantial directly relevant experience may be considered 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.
• Proven ability to analyze financial information and communicate clearly to 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.
• Positive, approachable, service-oriented attitude and commitment to supporting the mission and ministries of the church.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to build trust and work effectively with pastors, staff, ministry leaders, committee members, and church members.
• Professionalism, discretion, patience, and sound judgment when addressing financial concerns and sensitive situations.

Schedule, Reporting, and Oversight

• Schedule: Full-Time
• Work location: On-Site (in person)
• Reports to: Church Administrator
• Supervises: Bookkeeper and Contributions/Accounts Payable Clerk

Compensation and Status

• Pay: From $62,000.00 per year
• FLSA status: Salary, exempt
• Effective date: October 2026

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Technologies

• Microsoft Excel

Staff Expectations and Working Environment

• Conduct oneself in a manner that honors Christ and reflects Christian character.
• Support the mission, ministry, and values of First United Methodist Church and The United Methodist Church.
• Work collaboratively with clergy, staff, committees, volunteers, and ministry partners with professionalism, respect, accountability, and a spirit of service.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in all financial and personnel-related matters.