Finance Associate

Trinity Church in Chicago ( ---------- ) is seeking a part-time worker to execute professional financial ---------- ndidates must be detail-oriented, financially-minded, process-driven, able to work by themselves, quick learner, display strong collaboration, and consistently meet deadlines.

Part-time means five to ten (5-10) hours each week at $5 USD per hour pre-tax. Overtime may be necessary at key points of the year. The candidate must be *available* between 6am-12pm local Philippine Standard Time (PHT) for periodic video conferencing. This does not mean the candidate has to work these hours, they must simply have some availability during these hours for a weekly/bi-weekly video call. Regular working hours will be agreed upon based on the candidate's availability. However, there will be a monthly video conference call on Thursdays around 1am local time (PHT) that is required. Ongoing additional hours are possible and occasional weekend availability may be necessary, but is not ---------- pending on the candidates strengths, the role may evolve in the future. The candidate must demonstrate good character and suitable skills to match the ---------- ndidates must have a strong work ethic and a commitment to the success of our organization. The Finance Associate reports directly to the Team Manager.

Working for a church can be a powerful and unique opportunity to use your God-given talents to bless and reach others. What can be more important and more rewarding than increasing the effectiveness of God’s mission and helping people find their ultimate purpose in God? The city of Chicago is in desperate need of spiritual awakening and transformation. Your skills can help us be more fruitful. Help make the world a better place; assist people’s spiritual growth; provide the support we need to lead many to faith in Christ.

Please answer all questions, complete all tasks, and provide assessments to indicate your suitability for the role. Applications that are not fully completed will not be considered.


QUALIFICATIONS
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- Candidates must display trustworthy character and financial experience.
- Effectively speaks and writes English with competence, politeness, and consideration.
- Available, responsive, and able to take charge.
- Must love spreadsheets.
- Able to employ problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Quickly becomes proficient in new tools, software, and services.
- Proficient in Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Drive).
- Preferably has experience with Quickbooks Online.
- Able to work from alternative locations if their personal internet connection goes down.


RESPONSIBILITIES
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Training will be provided.

BOOKKEEPING:
Accurately categorize all income and expenditure weekly in Quickbooks Online. All transactions must be recorded one week before the Monthly Finance Call which occurs on the second Wednesday of each month at 12 noon CST (Thursday 1am PHT).

MONTHLY REPORTING:
Prepare a Balance Sheet each month to show the current position of assets in each ministry fund. Distribute financial reports to the Finance Team prior to the Monthly Finance Call. Present monthly financial reports on the activities of the prior ---------- t and lead the agenda of the Monthly Finance Call and keep track of decisions and action items. Identify any areas where overspending has occurred and identify topics that require decisions or actions to ensure the church stays on budget for the year.

EXPENSE REDUCTION ANALYSIS:
Present potential areas of savings to the finance team in a monthly report. Scrutinize costs and implement ways to reduce expenditures. Ask thoughtful and clarifying questions.

PREPARE ANNUAL BUDGET:
Coordinate with leaders who oversee different ministry areas to receive their input on required ministry expenses. Preparations for the budget start in October for the upcoming calendar year (Ex: Oct 2021 for Calendar Year 2022). Prior to the Budget Review Meeting, a draft budget should be submitted for review and discussion. A final draft of the budget should be submitted in advance of the December Budget Review Meeting.

MANAGE BUDGET:
Share approved budgets with all ministry leaders so they are aware of their budgets for the year. Provide updates to leaders as needed to help them stay on track throughout the year and maintain their progress. Review requests by ministry leaders for expenditures above the annual ---------- conjunction with the Team Manager, approve these requests as needed. Document all changes and communicate effectively with those impacted.

DONOR RELATIONS:
Whether by email, text, or mail, review and respond to communications from donors in a polite and timely way. Over time, research and document answers to common questions; developing a written resource to share with the church. Give donors confidence and make sure they feel respected and appreciated for their gifts. You can never say thank you too much for someone’s generosity. Never come across rude, rushed, impositioned, or irritated. Be a gracious point of contact for all donors and go above and beyond to resolve their ---------- NDING GIVING STATEMENTS:
Within ten days of the end of each quarter, send giving statements to all donors in the Planning Center database. After Q1 and Q3, email notices are required. For Q2 and Year-End, paper statements need to be issued through an online portal.

SALARY REVIEWS:
Using an agreed upon approach, annually prepare and present justifications for staff salary adjustments. Training can be provided.

STAFF TRANSITIONS
Take all necessary steps to effectively add, update, or remove employees from various systems/processes as it relates to finance. Whether it be payroll, health insurance, official forms, etc...

FLEXIBLE: As a key participant in our organization, the Associate is expected to be flexible and willing to assist with other tasks if or when they arise.


TIME-OFF & PERKS
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PAID VACATION:
Since this is a part-time semi-flexible role, paid vacation is not offered. Time off should be requested in advance so that responsibilities can be delegated to other staff members.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:
Part-time employees are expected to fit their hours into a working week and are not expected to work these Holidays: Chinese New Year, People Power Revolution, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, The Day of Valor (Bataan Day), Labor Day, Eid'l Fitr, Independence Day, Eidul Adha, Ninoy Aquino, National Heroes Day, All Saint's Day, All Soul's Day, Bonifacio Day, Immaculate Conception Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Rizal Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year’s Day.

MATERNITY/PATERNITY TIME-OFF:
Trinity does not compensate maternity/paternity for part-time employees.

13th MONTH BONUS:
December double pay (paid at the end of November). Calculated on the average monthly income of the past twelve months.


QUESTIONS & TASKS
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1. What are two or more financial principles that influence you most?
2. Imagine you receive a disgruntled email from a church attender who is unhappy with Trinity's use of finances and how giving is being reported. Please draft an appropriate response.
3. In your answer to question five below, please add three asterisks at the end of your final sentence, after the period, with no spaces.
4. Please make a copy of the spreadsheet linked here and organize the items on the left as best you see fit under each category. Don’t overthink this exercise, just make the best decisions you can. Attach your spreadsheet to your application. Spreadsheet link here: ----------
5. How much favor do you experience in your life? Briefly explain.
6. Provide a screenshot of your download AND upload internet speed using speedtest.net.
7. Do you receive notifications of planned power cuts?
8. Are you a United States citizen?
9. Attach a one minute video recording of yourself explaining why you want this position.


ASSESSMENTS
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Please take these three assessments (they don’t take long and they are free) and provide the results as screenshots, PDFs, or something similar. Do not provide links to your results page as these will not work. If you have taken these tests before, just provide your prior results:

1. The Big Five: ----------
2. Strengthsfinder 2.0 (High Five): ----------
3. DISC: ----------