Job Postings

From the Desk of Delisle L. Doherty SPJST Vice President of Sales and Marketing It’s Your Life

Lord, Give Me Patience . . . and Do It Now

With my Christian Business Fellowship Association, we have a focus of the month. We take a Bible verse and help business owners and individuals to use it as a guide. With this crazy world we live in and all the struggles many people are dealing with, I thought through the holiday season, I would present some of these focuses to help ease some of the stress. I want to thank Patrick Howard for his diligent work in creating these focuses. Without further ado, here is the first one. Enjoy!

Why am I impatient?

I catch myself praying this way sometimes. I should be embarrassed at how these prayers slip past my lips with great ease . . . without a second thought . . . without hesitation. It reminds me of a child in the grocery store demanding a toy from his parent. So far, at least I haven’t dropped to the floor and thrown a tantrum.

It is a little hypocritical that I frequently talk about how we should not worry about anything, but rather trust that God will timely fulfill our needs, according to his perfect plan. So many times, I have seen His faithfulness in my life. Why then do I come to Him in prayer like he has no clue what I’m currently going through? Why don’t I just come to Him with the expectation that His plan is perfect, and merely ask for patience to see the storm through to its conclusion?

I think we are all guilty (to some degree) of doing this. Many times, we approach our prayers like we would when writing a letter to Santa. You know what I mean, “Hey, Santa! I want a bicycle and a PlayStation and a puppy and a . . . ”

I wonder sometimes if this is how God hears MY prayers . . . “Hey, God! I need money to cover my mortgage this month, and my car repair is going to be really expensive so I need you to give me some money for a down payment on a new truck and while you’re at it, this COVID-19 thing is really making me angry . . . okay. You know the word I wanted to use, so how about you get rid of this thing so I can go back to my cozy life that I created before all this started.”

Why do I . . .

Why do WE come from this place of doubt and scarcity in our prayers, instead of the confident assurance that God has this handled? After all, our problems are nothing new.

Think about it. Our lives were disrupted for a few months. The Jews wandered the desert for 40 years. The NASCAR season was interrupted last year. The only things the Jews could race were camels and scorpions. We couldn’t get into our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, and we had to settle for our second favorite. The Jews ate manna for 40 years. We don’t like it when the water of life gets a little choppy. Moses had to part the Red Sea for the Jews to safely begin their journey.

Do you get the point?

God brought the Jews safely through their 40-year journey, and He will bring us through ours, too.

Our focus this month is Psalm 46:10 ~ Be still and know that I am God.

Just as it was in the time of Kings Solomon and David, all of Psalms is relevant to our lives today, but I particularly like this verse to help us through the rough waters we currently navigate.

As I was writing the focus, I read this chapter several times. Each time, I was more convinced that God was speaking to me about our current world troubles. This Psalm talks about times of trouble –earthquakes, mountains toppling into the sea, tsunamis, raging nations, kingdoms crumbling, earth melting, total devastation.

But then it tells us, because our creator can and will deliver us from our earthly perils, we should not worry, saying, “Be still and know that I am God.” It’s as though He is saying, “Don’t worry. I am God and nothing is too large for me to handle. I created everything, and I control everything.”

Maybe we should change how we pray. No doubt we are in a season of global disease and civil distress. I have heard and said countless prayers asking for God’s deliverance from the perils we currently face. When you think about it, though, it is much like the kid demanding the toy from our example earlier. We are telling God what we need, but he already knows what we need.

There is a hint about how we should pray in the second part of this verse. The entire verse reads, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted over the earth.”

Reading this made me think that we should pray differently about our current situation. Rather than asking God to deliver us from the COVID pandemic, from the civil unrest and the bitterness that plagues our nation and world, why don’t we thank God for these things and ask Him to use them and use us to exalt and glorify His name. Why don’t we approach our prayers with the expectation that God has a perfect plan for us? He can and will handle everything according to His plan, quit worrying and only praise Him. Know that He sits on the throne, and nothing will harm His children.

“Our mood may shift, but God doesn’t. Our devotion may faulter, but God’s never does.” —Max Lucado

My door is always open; figuratively and literally. Stay blessed, Delisle L. Doherty Vice President of Sales and Marketing 832-232-2049 —SPJST—

• • • • • • • JOB POSTINGS • • • • • • • Assistant Controller

Department: Controller

Summary

The Assistant Controller assists the Controller to ensure accounting and finance activities are performed in accordance with Statutory Principles and other Company practices, policies, and procedures. This position also supervises the work of others in the accounting department.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant Controller performs all duties under the guidance and supervision of the Controller. The duties and responsibilities of this position include:

• Assists in the completion of financial statements. • Works with external auditors in the preparation of the annual audit report and with the Texas Department of Insurance in the preparation of their audit report. This necessitates the preparation of multiple supporting schedules. • Assists in maintaining accounting records and transactions for local lodges. This includes automated and manual procedures. • Maintains accurate account of all receipts and disbursements. Prepares all monthly reports, statements, and supplements. • Assists in establishing business plan and expense budget for Information Technology department. As such, consults with users to discuss their needs for new programs or changes to existing programs. Reviews and analyzes new products and technology. • Manages general banking activities and reconciles all bank statements. Downloads monthly bank statements and account activity. Transmits ACH payments to lodges and youth leaders. Drafts annuity payments and medical reimbursements. • Files all necessary reports with the Texas Department of Insurance. • Maintains exact information of all members of every lodge. This includes paid to dates, amount of insurance and all general information pertaining to each individual certificate. • Receives payment of premiums from certificate holders. • Complies with federal, state and company policies, procedures, and regulations. • Files reports with A.M. Best, American Fraternal Alliance, and NAIC. • Assists in the preparation of an annual budget for the Society. • Works with actuary on various reports to establish reserves. • All other duties assigned by the Controller.

Skills

The skills of the SPJST Assistant Controller include:

• Excellent planning and organizational skills. • A good understanding of accounting and finance activities, as well as mathematics. • A good knowledge about the rules governing preparation of various types of financial statements is required. • The ability to work within deadlines and to be able to prioritize self and staff to meet the Company’s expected delivery times. • Excellent analytic and observation skills. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Approachable and willingness to help employees both inside and outside of accounting. • The ability to effectively interpret and communicate financial results to non-financial managers and owners.

Education, Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge • Bachelor of Science degree in business, accounting, finance, or economics. MBA preferred. • CPA designation preferred. • Five years of experience in the accounting industry highly recommended. • Strong information technology background and the capacity to develop and implement a variety of internal programs. • Familiarity with fraternal benefit societies a plus.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Stand for brief periods of time. • Sitting for extended periods of time. • Use hands to finger or handle documents. • Reach with hands and arms periodically. • Stoop, kneel, or crouch periodically. • Must be able to communicate orally and hear to assist clients and coworkers. • Must be able to lift to 25 pounds periodically. • Must have the ability to review written documents and read information on the computer.

Application

Qualified candidates submit resume and application to PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503, Attn: Human Resources. Applications may also be completed online at www.spjst.org.

Loan Processing/ Servicing, Administrative Support Specialist

Department: Chief Financial Officer

Summary

Assists with setting up and servicing mortgage loans and policy loans. Crosstrained to assist with administrative support for various responsibilities of the CFO Department. Includes being a backup for fielding calls relative to policy service and claims reporting

Duties and Responsibilities • Assists with setting up new mortgages into mortgage module and various details of servicing mortgage loans. • Applies payments to mortgages and tracks and processes handling of delinquent mortgage loans. • Processes PACs on the first working day of each month and checks that correct amount is being drafted. Responsible for processing insufficient fund checks with proper charge back to account. • Responsible for recording new and renewal hazard insurance policies for mortgages assuring adequate coverage and renewal of policies. Responsible for running weekly insurance report identifying and responding to terminations, cancellations, and expirations. • Responsible for running mortgage loan journal and certificate loan journal weekly and balancing each with the general ledger. If not in balance, error must be researched. • Responsible for running the state board report weekly and balancing it with the general ledger. • Responsible for running delinquency report on the 13th of each month, mailing out notices, manually calculating delinquencies. • Responsible for the following important reports: annual coupon report identifying matured loans; detailed end of the month report for mortgage loans and certificate loans providing important information; monthly accrued interest report, monthly Chief Financial Officer’s report; quarterly mortgage delinquency report; quarterly excessive certificate loan report; certificate loan interest report; end of year report including multiple necessary details. • Responsible for providing backup to the mortgage loan application specialist in the areas of phone information backup and assisting with details of loan processing as needed. • Provide backup to mortgage loan processor as needed and assist with processing details and coordination with Investment Committee and attorney. • Will cross-train to be able serve as receptionist in the absence of main receptionist and backup. • Must perform other duties as assigned by management and be willing to develop skills in performing various duties in the CFO Department.

Qualifications • Must be computer-literate in Windows-based software word processing. • Must have mathematical aptitude, organizational skills, ability to effectively manage time, and flexibility. • Must have excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills and present a professional image both in person and over the phone. • Must be organized and be able to set priorities and meet deadlines. • Must present a professional image, maintain a positive attitude, be a selfstarter, take initiative, be dependable, and take pride in work product. • Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret various documents. Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.

Education, Experience, Knowledge • High school diploma required. • Secretarial schooling or office experience preferred. • Training in Windows-based software (word processing, presentations, spreadsheets) a plus. • 5-plus years general administrative background in an office environment is a plus.

Physical Requirements • Position requires the ability to sit, stand, and walk during shift. • Occasional lifting of 10 to 25 pounds, with assistance, if necessary.

Application

Qualified candidates submit resume and application to PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503, Attn: Human Resources. Applications may also be completed online at www.spjst.org.

Staff Accountant

Department: Controller

Summary

SPJST seeks a qualified individual for the position of Staff Accountant. Under the supervision of the Controller, applies accounting principles, practices, and procedures to prepare and analyze financial statements including balance sheet, income statement, and departmental budgets.

Duties and Resposibilties

Responsible for the preparation of journal entries, analysis of general ledger account balances and reconciliations, verifies accuracy and makes recommendations for correction. Ensures that assigned responsibilities accurately reflect SPJST’s position.

Qualifications

Education qualification requires a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Three to five years experience in similar position required.

SPJST is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Application

Qualified candidates submit resume and application to PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503, Attn: Human Resources. Applications may also be completed online at www.spjst.org. —SPJST—