Director of Financial Support Services

Director of Financial Support Services

The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) invites applications for an accomplished mission driven Director of Financial Support Services to serve as a key financial leader supporting General Agencies, Annual Conferences, Local Churches and other affiliated organizations.

This is a rare opportunity for a hands-on leader who thrives in complex, multi-entity environments and is energized by strengthening financial health across a diverse system of ministries. The Director serves as both a strategic advisor and operational partner bringing clarity, stability, and expertise to organizations at every stage of maturity, including those in transition or financial distress.

In this role, financial leadership becomes mission enablement. The Director ensures that resources are stewarded faithfully, systems operate with integrity, and leaders are equipped to make informed, sustainable, mission aligned decisions. The work directly strengthens the long-term viability and effectiveness of ministries across the United Methodist connection. Operating across multiple affiliated entities, the Director will partner closely with clergy, boards, finance teams, and organizational leaders to elevate financial operations, build capacity, and strengthen consistency across accounting, payroll, reporting, compliance, budgeting, and audit readiness.

This role is ideal for a leader who can move seamlessly between strategy and execution, someone who can step into complex environments, stabilize systems quickly, and leave behind stronger financial infrastructure and empowered local leadership.

Essential Functions:

• Provide hands on financial leadership and operational support to affiliated organizations, including during leadership transitions, vacancies, restructuring, or financial distress.
• Serve as a stabilizing financial presence, assessing current conditions and implementing immediate and long-term improvements.
• Oversee and perform core accounting functions including financial statement preparation, journal entries, reconciliations, general ledger management, and payroll oversight.
• Evaluate, implement, and strengthen accounting, payroll, and financial systems to improve accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Manage and support accounts payable/receivable, cash management, benefit allocations, and related financial operations.
• Ensure alignment with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, denominational policies, and principles of faithful stewardship, including oversight of cash flow, reserves, restricted funds, apportionments, and budgeting practices.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis to support strategic, mission aligned financial decision making.
• Direct audit preparation, coordination, and follow through, including documentation, auditor engagement, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Strengthen internal controls, compliance frameworks, and risk management systems while proactively identifying and mitigating financial risks.
• Develop tools, frameworks, and resources that enhance financial literacy, consistency, and operational confidence across organizations.
• Conduct financial and operational assessments for organizations in transition, growth, or distress, delivering clear recommendations to improve financial sustainability.
• Provide interim financial leadership and supplemental accounting support, as needed
• Provide training, coaching, and practical guidance, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or CMA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, including full cycle accounting, audits, payroll, and GAAP compliance.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting, multi-entity environments, shared services, or advisory/consulting roles required; faith-based or mission-driven experience strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit and fund accounting, payroll systems, compliance, and financial governance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to assess financial operations, implement improvements, and independently manage full cycle accounting functions when needed.
• Strong ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial leaders.
• High integrity, sound judgment, discretion, and adaptability in complex and sensitive environments.
• Familiarity with fund accounting concepts including restricted funds, apportionments, and denominational financial structures preferred.
• Experience working with boards, governance bodies, clergy, and ministry leaders particularly within The United Methodist Church or similar connectional systems strongly preferred.
• Understanding of United Methodist polity and member of The United Methodist Church is strongly preferred.

Additional Considerations:

• This is a highly relational, field-based leadership role requiring regular on-site engagement and travel based on organizational needs.
• Success requires a leader who is equally comfortable in strategic advisory settings and hands-on operational execution.
• The ability to provide steady leadership in dynamic, complex, and evolving environments is essential.

Closing Date: 

      Open until filled

GCFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.