The mission of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington (ADW) is to spread the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. In faithful pursuit of this mission, the Archdiocese seeks a highly skilled and mission-driven Controller.
Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller serves as the senior accounting leader for the Archdiocese and its affiliated corporations. The Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, audit coordination, investment oversight, and financial compliance activities. The position provides leadership to the Executive Director of Financial Planning & Analysis and the Accounting Manager while working collaboratively with diocesan leadership, affiliated organizations, and various governing boards to ensure prudent stewardship of Church resources.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Leadership and Reporting
- Partner with the CFO to lead the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets.
- Review monthly financial statements and management reports prepared by the Executive Director of Financial Planning & Analysis and Accounting Manager, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely distribution.
- Present financial results, trends, and analysis to the CFO and other senior leaders as needed.
- Ensure monthly financial reports are distributed to Secretariat leaders, department heads, and budget managers by the 20th day of the following month.
- Provide financial guidance and analytical support to departmental leadership regarding operating performance, budgets, and financial planning.
- Lead efforts to improve financial reporting processes and increase transparency, efficiency, and usefulness of management information.
- Collaborate with the CFO to advance staff development initiatives focused on accounting, technology, AI, and digital competencies, strengthening bench depth, supporting succession planning, and fostering long-term team growth.
Governance and Board Support
In collaboration with the CFO:
- Prepare agendas, financial reports, analyses, and presentations for various boards and committees.
- Support board communications and maintain strong working relationships with board members and organizational leadership.
Support the financial oversight of:
- Finance Council
- Audit & Budget Committee
- Real Estate Advisory Committee
- Catholic Investment Trust of Washington (CITW)
- Forward in Faith
- Catholic Education Foundation
- Priest Retirement Benefit Trust
- Priest Retirement Board
- Catholic Youth Organization
- Victory Youth Center
Audit, Compliance, and Internal Controls
- Direct and coordinate annual financial statement audits for the Central Pastoral Administration and affiliated corporations.
- Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors and ensure timely completion of all audit requirements.
- Maintain and strengthen accounting policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and sound internal controls.
- Lead the implementation of new accounting standards and policies.
- Create and maintain an accounting and reporting calendar to ensure all deadlines are met accurately and on time.
- Assist in maintaining accounting records for multiple affiliated corporations.
- Provide oversight and enhance financial controls within the Catholic Schools Office.
Treasury, Investments, and Debt Management
- Prepare quarterly debt covenant compliance filings and oversee periodic credit facility renewals.
- Monitor investment performance reports from Cambridge Associates and the Catholic Investment Trust of Washington.
- Ensure investment portfolios remain within approved Investment Policy Statement guidelines.
- Review cash flow requirements and recommend transfers or liquidity actions to the CFO.
- Report investment and cash management results to the appropriate governing bodies and committees.
Insurance, Benefits, and Risk Management
- Oversee the financial administration of employee benefit and insurance programs, including billing, claims administration, and vendor relations.
- Lead the annual property insurance analysis and renewal process in coordination with Catholic Mutual Group.
- Work collaboratively with benefit and insurance providers to identify and mitigate organizational risks.
- Communicate financial and operational risks to appropriate Archdiocesan leadership and stakeholders.
Stewardship and Development Support
- Collaborate with the Secretary of Stewardship to ensure Annual Appeal pledges, gifts, and other development activity are accurately recorded and reported.
- Support financial accountability and stewardship practices across the Archdiocese and affiliated organizations.
- Assist the CFO in developing and sharing financial best practices with affiliated corporations, boards, and corporate liaisons.
Other Duties
- Strengthen payroll processing bench strength and oversight controls by ensuring comprehensive documentation, cross-training, and backup resources were in place to maintain business continuity and prevent payroll disruptions.
- Participate in special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by the CFO or Moderator of the Curia.
- Perform other duties as required to support the mission and objectives of the Archdiocese.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Practicing Catholic in good standing who supports the teachings, mission, and values of the Catholic Church.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership ability with experience managing, mentoring, and developing professional staff.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
- Ability to interpret complex financial information and present findings clearly to executive leadership and governing boards.
- High degree of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and accountability.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience.
- Prior experience in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior accounting leadership role strongly preferred.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting systems.
- Experience with Sage Intacct, Solver, and electronic accounts payable systems preferred.
- Experience with nonprofit, religious, educational, or other mission-driven organizations preferred.
- Experience working with Catholic institutions, dioceses, parishes, schools, or related entities is highly desirable.
Work Environment
This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and other business equipment.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
Position Type / Expected Hours of Work
- Full-time, exempt position.
- Standard schedule of 40 hours per week.
- In-office presence required five days per week.
- Occasional evening meetings may be required to support board and committee activities.
The salary range for this position is $195,000 to $210,000 with excellent benefits
