Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson
Diocese of Tucson
Job Description
Fiscal Department Controller for the Diocese of Tucson
Reports to:
Chief Financial Officer Location:
Diocese of Tucson - Pastoral Center, Tucson, Arizona FLSA Status:
Exempt
Salary Grade:
34
Status:
Full Time
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of diocesan, parish, and school accounting and finance operations. This includes ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of all financial records; developing and maintaining robust internal controls; managing audits; and supporting strategic financial planning in service to the mission of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Tucson. The Employee shall be a minister of the Gospel and Catholic Teaching behaviorally while at work and in his/her personal life,
"...Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received." (Eph. 4:1)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Financial Management & Reporting
Direct the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for multiple diocesan entities, in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting standards. Review and approve all reconciliations, journal entries, and support schedules for completeness and accuracy. Ensure proper accounting for annuities, endowments, grants, and capital campaign funds.
Internal Controls & Audit Oversight
Design, implement, and monitor internal control procedures to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with diocesan policies, GAAP, and applicable laws. Coordinate annual external audits, manage auditor relationships, and prepare all required audit schedules and documentation. Conduct or oversee internal reviews to assess compliance and identify areas for improvement.
Budgeting & Forecasting
Assist in the development of annual budgets for diocesan entities; monitor budget adherence and analyze variances. Provide financial analysis and forecasting to support strategic decision-making by the CFO and diocesan leadership.
Operational Leadership
Supervise accounting staff, including accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and parish accounting services, providing technical guidance and professional development. Ensure timely and accurate processing of financial transactions across all entities.
Compliance & Policy
Maintain current knowledge of accounting standards, nonprofit regulations, and relevant provisions of Canon Law related to temporal goods. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local tax reporting requirements. Meet demands of audited internal controls and document retention for 9 audited entities, including pension, property/liability insurance trusts, health insurance trusts, and mission related entities. Occasional overtime or extended hours required to meet reporting deadlines or audit requirements. Minimal travel requirement Reliable transportation required. Qualify, adopt, and remain in compliance with all diocesan Safe Environment policies and compliance requirements. Shall abide by Catholic principles in professional and private life. Shall govern his/her professional and private life in strict accordance with Catholic morals and principles to demonstrate complete adherence to Catholic moral structures .
Qualifications:
Education & Credentials
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
Experience Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including at least 5 years in a supervisory role. Demonstrated success managing audits and implementing internal control systems. Experience in nonprofit or fund accounting is preferred; public accounting background is a plus.
Technical Skills Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, macros, and financial modeling. Competence in ERP or other financial management systems. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and present it clearly.
Personal & Professional Attributes Practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church, with an understanding of and commitment to the mission of the Diocese of Tucson. Shall abide by Catholic principles in professional and private life. Shall govern his/her professional and private life in strict accordance with Catholic morals and principles to demonstrate complete adherence to Catholic moral structures . High integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to confidentiality. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively.
Working Conditions and Compliance
Standard office environment with occasional extended hours to meet reporting deadlines or audit requirements. Minimal travel: reliable transportation required. Qualify, adopt, and remain in compliance with all diocesan Safe Environment policies and compliance requirements.
Physical/Mental Requirements
Requires coordination and manual dexterity, normal mental and visual ability; ability to lift as required in a normal office environment.
Required Activities:
Walking; sitting; standing; stooping; reaching; talking; handling; hearing; carrying; and keyboarding.
Covenants of Employment:
The Diocese of Tucson is a Roman Catholic religious organization and that all employees are expected to respect and conduct themselves in accordance with the values, teachings, and morals of the Roman Catholic Church and by Arizona state law. Under the "Zero Tolerance Policy", no one will be knowingly assigned or retained to serve in the Diocese when that person is determined to have engaged in the abuse of a minor or to have violated boundaries in dealing with minors.
Applicant Skills Matrix:
Skill Area
Critical Requirement
Weight in Selection
Comprehension
Audit Oversight
Yes
20%
Proven experience leading external audits, preparing audit papers, and developing internal controls is essential.
Advanced Excel Proficiency
Yes
20%
Must demonstrate mastery: pivot tables, macros, complex formulas, financial modeling.
Nonprofit/Fund Accounting
Strongly Preferred
30%
Familiarity with GAAP for nonprofits, restricted funds, endowments, and grant accounting.
Leadership & Staff Management
Required
20%
Experience supervising accounting staff and managing multiple entities.
Mission Alignment
Strongly Preferred
10%
Practicing Roman Catholic, understanding diocesan mission and Canon Law on temporal goods.
Job Description
Fiscal Department Controller for the Diocese of Tucson
Reports to:
Chief Financial Officer Location:
Diocese of Tucson - Pastoral Center, Tucson, Arizona FLSA Status:
Exempt
Salary Grade:
34
Status:
Full Time
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of diocesan, parish, and school accounting and finance operations. This includes ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of all financial records; developing and maintaining robust internal controls; managing audits; and supporting strategic financial planning in service to the mission of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Tucson. The Employee shall be a minister of the Gospel and Catholic Teaching behaviorally while at work and in his/her personal life,
"...Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received." (Eph. 4:1)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Financial Management & Reporting
Direct the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for multiple diocesan entities, in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting standards. Review and approve all reconciliations, journal entries, and support schedules for completeness and accuracy. Ensure proper accounting for annuities, endowments, grants, and capital campaign funds.
Internal Controls & Audit Oversight
Design, implement, and monitor internal control procedures to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with diocesan policies, GAAP, and applicable laws. Coordinate annual external audits, manage auditor relationships, and prepare all required audit schedules and documentation. Conduct or oversee internal reviews to assess compliance and identify areas for improvement.
Budgeting & Forecasting
Assist in the development of annual budgets for diocesan entities; monitor budget adherence and analyze variances. Provide financial analysis and forecasting to support strategic decision-making by the CFO and diocesan leadership.
Operational Leadership
Supervise accounting staff, including accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and parish accounting services, providing technical guidance and professional development. Ensure timely and accurate processing of financial transactions across all entities.
Compliance & Policy
Maintain current knowledge of accounting standards, nonprofit regulations, and relevant provisions of Canon Law related to temporal goods. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local tax reporting requirements. Meet demands of audited internal controls and document retention for 9 audited entities, including pension, property/liability insurance trusts, health insurance trusts, and mission related entities. Occasional overtime or extended hours required to meet reporting deadlines or audit requirements. Minimal travel requirement Reliable transportation required. Qualify, adopt, and remain in compliance with all diocesan Safe Environment policies and compliance requirements. Shall abide by Catholic principles in professional and private life. Shall govern his/her professional and private life in strict accordance with Catholic morals and principles to demonstrate complete adherence to Catholic moral structures .
Qualifications:
Education & Credentials
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
Experience Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including at least 5 years in a supervisory role. Demonstrated success managing audits and implementing internal control systems. Experience in nonprofit or fund accounting is preferred; public accounting background is a plus.
Technical Skills Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, macros, and financial modeling. Competence in ERP or other financial management systems. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and present it clearly.
Personal & Professional Attributes Practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church, with an understanding of and commitment to the mission of the Diocese of Tucson. Shall abide by Catholic principles in professional and private life. Shall govern his/her professional and private life in strict accordance with Catholic morals and principles to demonstrate complete adherence to Catholic moral structures . High integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to confidentiality. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively.
Working Conditions and Compliance
Standard office environment with occasional extended hours to meet reporting deadlines or audit requirements. Minimal travel: reliable transportation required. Qualify, adopt, and remain in compliance with all diocesan Safe Environment policies and compliance requirements.
Physical/Mental Requirements
Requires coordination and manual dexterity, normal mental and visual ability; ability to lift as required in a normal office environment.
Required Activities:
Walking; sitting; standing; stooping; reaching; talking; handling; hearing; carrying; and keyboarding.
Covenants of Employment:
The Diocese of Tucson is a Roman Catholic religious organization and that all employees are expected to respect and conduct themselves in accordance with the values, teachings, and morals of the Roman Catholic Church and by Arizona state law. Under the "Zero Tolerance Policy", no one will be knowingly assigned or retained to serve in the Diocese when that person is determined to have engaged in the abuse of a minor or to have violated boundaries in dealing with minors.
Applicant Skills Matrix:
Skill Area
Critical Requirement
Weight in Selection
Comprehension
Audit Oversight
Yes
20%
Proven experience leading external audits, preparing audit papers, and developing internal controls is essential.
Advanced Excel Proficiency
Yes
20%
Must demonstrate mastery: pivot tables, macros, complex formulas, financial modeling.
Nonprofit/Fund Accounting
Strongly Preferred
30%
Familiarity with GAAP for nonprofits, restricted funds, endowments, and grant accounting.
Leadership & Staff Management
Required
20%
Experience supervising accounting staff and managing multiple entities.
Mission Alignment
Strongly Preferred
10%
Practicing Roman Catholic, understanding diocesan mission and Canon Law on temporal goods.