Where We’re Located

Global Headquarters

Silver Spring, MD

North America Area

There are five GCAS Areas around the world, with the North America Area covering the United States of America and Canada, as well as General Conference institutions located within that territory. In the North America Area there are 10 regional offices. Each office has a Regional Manager, Audit Managers, Audit Seniors, Audit Staff, and sometimes Audit Specialists. Approximately 70 auditors work in North America.

  • Atlantic Region - South Lancaster, MA
  • Canadian Region - Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Columbia Region - Columbia, MD
  • Cumberland Region - Collegedale, TN
  • Lake Region - Berrien Springs, MI
  • Mid-America Region - Lincoln, NE
  • North Pacific Region - Portland, OR
  • Pacific Region - Riverside, CA
  • Southern Region - Atlanta, GA; Orlando, FL
  • Southwest Region - Burleson, TX

What we’re looking for

  • Committed, baptized Seventh-day Adventist
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Eligible to sit for the CA/CPA exam
  • Passion for learning Team and leadership skills
  • Minimum English language proficiency of CEFR B2 (TOEFL 500 paper/222 computer/89 internet)

Equal Opportunity Employer

The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate in employment policies and practices on the basis of race, national origin, gender, color, age, marital status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. The employment practices of the church reflect religious preferences in harmony with the United States Constitution and controlling law, and it, therefore, hires only Seventh-day Adventist Church members in regular standing.

What is it like to work here?

Office Space

Each auditor has an individual assigned workspace in the home office, whether an individual desk in a shared office, or a cubicle arrangement.

Travel

Significant travel (30-50%) is required for all GCAS positions as field work is performed in client offices throughout the Region. An audit team usually leaves on Monday morning and returns to the regional office on Thursday evening.

Professional Development

Onboarding program

Orientation

Experienced professionals joining GCAS will be provided with a mentorship/orientation program tailored to the specific job responsibilities.

Ongoing learning

CA/CPA Exam

Completion of the CA/CPA exam is required within five years of employment with GCAS. Studying for and taking the CA/CPA exam qualifies as CPE for those who have not yet passed the exam. Time off for study and taking of the exam is given, and expenses are reimbursed.

CPE

GCAS requires that each member of its professional staff obtain a minimum of 20 hours per year and at least 120 hours every three years. Studying for and taking the CA/CPA exam qualify for CPE for those who have not yet passed the exam

North America Area Seminars

The North America Area holds in-house professional development seminars every year. Plenary and break-out sessions provide the majority of the annual CPE requirements for most GCAS auditors.

Developing your career

Service recognition/awards

Annual awards are given to recognize achievements by regional offices as well as individuals. In addition, service awards are given for increments of 5 years of service.

Promotions

GCAS staffing levels include Intern, Audit Staff, Audit Senior, Audit Manager, Audit Specialist, Regional Manager, Associate Director, and Director.

Audit Staff

The Audit Staff position is an entry level three-year program. Audit Staff work under the supervision of an Audit Senior or Audit Manager in performing the following audit functions: pulling trial balances and preparing lead schedules using audit software, assisting in performing compliance and substantive testing during work in the client’s office, and assisting in preparing client financial statements and reports. Additional work in auditing trusts may also be available for those who wish to specialize in that area. Usully three to five Audit Staff positions become available in the North America Area each year. By the end of the second year, the Audit Staff is expected to be in charge of audits (under the supervision of Audit Seniors or Audit Managers). Between the end of the second and third years, with satisfactory work progress and completion of the CA/CPA exam, an Audit Staff can generally expect to be promoted to Audit Senior. Promotion is based on completion of AICPA Staff Training I, sitting for the CA/CPA exam at least once during the year, and overall proficient performance evaluations.

Audit Senior

An Audit Senior requires a CA/CPA license and satisfactory service of two to three years as an Audit Staff or other relevant/comparable audit experience. Tasks include performing functions of audit planning and preparation in accordance with US/Canadian audit standards adopted by the SDA denomination; performing compliance and substantive tests on audits (in audit office as well as at the client’s office); preparing and reviewing client financial statements and audit reports; serving as in-charge auditor on audits as assigned by the Regional Manager; supervising work performed by Audit Staff and other audit team members; and presenting audit reports to client governing committees, audit committees, and constituency sessions. Promotion requires satisfactory completion of the GCAS training and orientation program, demonstrated ability to manage small to medium-sized audits (academy or small conference), successful completion of the CA/CPA exam, satisfactory communication and inter-personal skills, and overall proficient performance evaluations.

Audit Manager

Promotion to Audit Manager is based on a demonstrated ability to manage large and/or complex audits, superior communication and inter-personal skills, and overall proficient performance evaluations. Promotion may also require potential to manage a portfolio of audits.

Audit Specialist

Promotion to Audit Specialist is based on successful completion of training in a specialized audit area such as Trust, Training, EQCR, or other specific area, superior communication and inter-personal skills, and overall proficient performance evaluations. Promotion requires that at least 30% of the work load be in the specialized area.

Regional Manager

A Regional Manager is in charge of one of the ten regional North America Area GCAS office (see locations listed in “Where We’re Located”) and reports to the North America Area Associate Director. Regional Managers will have demonstrated an ability to manage large and/or complex audits and a portfolio of audits, superior communication and inter-personal skills, and overall proficient performance evaluations.

Transfers

When positions become available in other North America Area Regional Offices and a GCAS auditor would like to transfer from his or her current office, preference will be given to current GCAS staff who:

  1. have been employed by GCAS for at least two years,
  2. passed at least 3 sections of the CA/CPA exam,
  3. received satisfactory performance appraisals, and
  4. have had no adverse disciplinary actions during the past two years.

Benefits

Salaries

Philosophy of Remuneration

As outlined in the General Conference Remuneration Scale document, working for the Seventh-day Adventist Church involves a commitment to mission and spirit of dedication, service, and sacrifice. The focus is on sharing Jesus and the hope of salvation with the world.

Remuneration Rates

Starting pay for Audit Staff is quite competitive with that offered by large accounting firms. Specific wage ranges are based on the cost of living in the geographic location of the regional office. A Staff Auditor is eligible for a pay increase when the CA/CPA exam is passed.

Work Week Hours

While GCAS auditors typically work a standard work week, there are times when additional time in the evenings or on weekends is needed to complete the audit, observe physical inventory counts, prepare for constituency session reports, or other unusual obligations. There is no overtime pay, as GCAS auditors are “exempt” salaried employees; however, Friday afternoons and weekends are generally free.

Travel Expense Reimbursements

Travel expenses are reimbursed according to policy including mileage, per diem, lodging expense, etc. Full details are available in the North America Area Practices and Procedures Manual.

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

There are seven paid holidays in the year in addition to a full week of paid time off for the Christmas holiday week, as specified by the GC HR Committee. The Canadian GCAS office will follow the holiday schedule as published by the SDACC (Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada).

Paid Vacation

Paid vacation varies based on years of employment with the denomination:

  • 2 weeks paid vacation per year for first four years
  • 3 weeks paid vacation per year for five to nine years
  • 4 weeks paid vacation per year for ten or more years

Retirement Plan

US-based GCAS auditors participate in the Adventist Retirement Plan which is a defined contribution (DC) retirement plan. The employer contributes on a pre-tax basis a 5% basic contribution. In addition, the employer will match 100% of an employee’s personal contribution up to 3%, making a total of 11% retirement contributions deposited into the employee’s DC Plan retirement account . An employee may make additional contributions as well. Canadian-based GCAS auditors participate in the SDACC (Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada) employee benefit plan, including retirement plans. Reference material provided by these plans provide details of coverage.

Health Care Coverage

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance provisions are in place. Full details are outlined in the North American Division Employee Health Care Assistance Policy document.

Other Insurance

Other insurance options available include a Personal Effects Floater (PEF) for travel, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Life Insurance options.

Professional Membership Dues

GCAS reimburses professional organizational dues (the AICPA/CICA membership plus a state/province CA/CPA society). See the Practices and Procedures Manual for additional details.

CPE Reimbursement

GCAS requires that each member of its professional staff obtain a minimum of 20 hours per year and at least 120 hours every three years. Studying for and taking the CA/CPA exam qualify for CPE for those who have not yet passed the exam. Most required CPE is provided by GCAS through annual seminars. Other CPE courses as needed will be reimbursed by GCAS on approval from the Professional Development Associate Director.

Working internationally

With approval from the Regional Manager, a GCAS employee with several years’ experience may request consideration for participation in an international audit.