The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Board of Directors (BOD) seeks nominations/applicants for the position of chief financial officer (CFO), housed at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis.
Position profile
The CFO oversees all financial-related areas, including accounts receivable, cash receipts, general and cost accounting, internal audit, budgeting and corporate insurance. The CFO is an officer of the Synod and must abide by the rights and duties of the LCMS Constitution, Article XI A.
Essential job functions
Bylaws 3.4.1–3.4.1.2 provide the general requirements and expectations of the office. The CFO shall:
- Administer the financial affairs of the Synod, excluding the Synodwide corporate entities, the districts, the Concordia Plans and Concordia Plan Services.
- Be an officer of the Synod and a layperson appointed by the BOD in consultation with and concurrence of the Synod president.
- Serve a three-year renewable term with unlimited possible renewals, during which he/she shall serve at the direction of the BOD. Each reappointment by the BOD shall be after consultation with and concurrence of the Synod president.
Specific responsibilities
The CFO also serves as the treasurer of the corporation and shall:
- Carry out the duties of the office in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Synod and as directed by the BOD.
- Receive and disburse the moneys of corporate Synod and keep accurate account of them under the instruction of the BOD.
- Act as the depositary for all funds in the hands of corporate Synod’s boards (excluding the Concordia Plans and Concordia Plan Services), commissions, officers and employees who, by virtue of their office, act as custodians or trustees of such funds.
- Serve, if the board’s representation is not otherwise designated, as a non-voting member of the governing boards of the Concordia University System, the LCMS Foundation, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, the Concordia Plans, Concordia Plan Services and Concordia Publishing House, and on the investment committee of the Concordia Plans and Concordia Plan Services.
- Keep on file a correct list of all devises and bequests that directly or indirectly have been given to corporate Synod. Legacies and bequests made to other agencies of the Synod shall be reported annually to the CFO as part of the audit process.
- Be authorized to borrow in the name of the Synod, provided its BOD has first determined the amounts and conditions under which such moneys shall be borrowed.
- At any time, submit to an audit of official books and accounts when so ordered by the Synod or its BOD.
- Perform other work as the Synod in convention, the president or the BOD may assign.
- Work closely with the chief administrative officer and the chief mission officer in carrying out the programmatic, administrative and financial functions of the national Synod.
Additional criteria and responsibilities for the CFO are outlined in Bylaws 3.5.1, 3.5.2 and 3.6.4.
Position requirements
- LCMS member, faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran confessions and supportive of the Synod’s constitution, bylaws, practices and policies.
- Bachelor’s degree required, master’s preferred. Professional designations, i.e., CPA, CFA, CMA, CIA, are highly desirable.
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a financial leadership position, ideally as a CFO, comptroller, senior accountant or treasury manager.
- Previous management of director-level staff is a plus.
- Proven integrity, discretion and judgment in confidential matters.
- Previous experience working in a BOD governance model preferred.
- An understanding of the Synod’s structure is highly desirable.
- Willingness and ability to travel, both internationally and domestically, up to 30%.
A detailed position description is available upon request. Qualified applicants are welcome to apply online via lcms.org/careers. Nominations are welcomed and may be submitted to Nathan Thomas at nathan.thomas@lcms.org. The deadline to apply or submit nominations is July 27.
Posted May 10, 2021
