Pastoral Associate for Finance & Administration

ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE PAYROLL SERVICES•Olympia, WA

6d•$88,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances serves as the chief financial administrator of the Parish Family and provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for parish and school finances as two parishes move toward becoming one canonical parish under the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel initiative. Reporting directly to the Pastor, this position oversees financial planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, internal controls, stewardship accountability, and long-range financial sustainability for all parish family operations. The role serves as the Pastor's primary advisor on financial matters and works closely with parish, school, ministry, and Archdiocesan leaders to ensure responsible stewardship of resources in support of the Church's mission. The position supervises parish bookkeeping functions, provides financial oversight for school accounting operations, leads the work of the Finance Councils, and helps develop integrated financial systems and practices that support greater operational unity across the Parish Family. Working closely with the Pastor, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Resources, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Life, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Ministry, the School Principal, and other parish leaders, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances helps ensure that financial administration supports evangelization, discipleship, pastoral care, Catholic education, and the long-term sustainability of parish family mission and ministry.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Significant experience in accounting, bookkeeping, financial management, or business administration.
Experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
Supervisory and organizational leadership experience.
Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial systems.
Excellent organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Proficiency with accounting software, spreadsheets, databases, and office technology.
Ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, staff, volunteers, Finance Councils, school leadership, and Archdiocesan personnel.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a Catholic parish, Catholic school, nonprofit, or faith-based organization.
Familiarity with Archdiocese of Seattle financial policies and procedures.
Experience supporting organizations undergoing transition, consolidation, or restructuring.
Knowledge of payroll systems, tuition systems, facilities budgeting, and cemetery accounting, where applicable

Responsibilities

Provide strategic financial leadership for the Parish Family and ensure responsible stewardship of parish assets and resources.
Develop, administer, and monitor annual operating and capital budgets for parish, school, ministry, facilities, technology, and administrative operations.
Regularly advise the Pastor regarding budget performance, financial trends, operational sustainability, major expenditures, risks, and long-range planning.
Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the Pastor, Finance Councils, parish leadership, and school leadership.
Monitor revenues and expenditures and provide timely analysis and recommendations.
Ensure proper authorization of expenditures and adherence to approved budgets and Archdiocesan policies.
Oversee parish income handling, reconciliation, safeguarding, and deposit procedures.
Assist in developing integrated financial systems and reporting practices that support Parish Family unification under Partners in the Gospel.
Supervise parish bookkeeping functions and provide oversight of school accounting operations.
Ensure accounting procedures are consistently applied and aligned with Archdiocesan standards and accepted accounting practices.
Review financial transactions, reconciliations, payroll coordination, cash-handling procedures, restricted funds, grants, tuition assistance accounting, fundraising revenues, and reporting workflows.
Develop and maintain efficient, transparent, and accountable financial systems and procedures.
Coordinate annual audits, reviews, and Archdiocesan financial reporting requirements.
Maintain secure, accurate, confidential, and organized financial records.
Provide leadership, supervision, training, support, and evaluation for assigned financial and administrative staff.
Collaborate with the Parish Personnel Officer regarding compensation planning, staffing budgets, employee benefits, and personnel-related financial matters.
Support administrative systems and structures that strengthen organizational effectiveness and accountability.
Promote collaboration and operational consistency throughout the Parish Family.
Serve as the primary financial advisor to the School Principal regarding budgeting, tuition planning, forecasting, and financial sustainability.
Provide financial guidance and support to the School Commission.
Assist with tuition assistance administration and financial aid accounting.
Support the development of school financial systems that align with parish accounting standards and Archdiocesan expectations.
Integrate school financial reporting into broader Parish Family financial planning and reporting systems.
Advise the Pastor regarding school financial operations, enrollment-related financial impacts, and long-term sustainability.
Collaborate with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Resources regarding facilities maintenance, capital projects, technology planning, and operational budgeting.
Assist with long-range planning for capital improvements and major operational investments.
Support financial analysis related to facilities, infrastructure, and technology needs.
Ensure compliance with Archdiocesan policies, accounting standards, insurance requirements, and applicable governmental regulations.
Serve as liaison to Archdiocesan Business, Finance, Accounting, Personnel, and Insurance offices.
Prepare and submit required financial reports, documentation, and regulatory filings.
Coordinate relationships with auditors, financial institutions, vendors, and governmental agencies.
Maintain sound internal controls, risk management practices, and financial safeguards.
Support the Pastor and parish leadership in the operational and financial transition toward greater Parish Family unity.
Assist in aligning financial systems, reporting structures, internal controls, operational workflows, and administrative practices across both parish communities.
Support implementation planning, organizational transition, and change management initiatives.
Balance respect for the unique history and culture of each parish with the need for sustainable, mission-centered structures that support evangelization and pastoral care.