Helping improve the systems

As a certified public accountant, Jason Haen is good with numbers, but it was the opportunity to work with people that attracted him to his new position as financial consultant for the diocesan department of Finance and Accounting.

"I like getting out of the office and dealing with lots of different people," said Haen, who previously served as the payroll supervisor for Brown County. "With 190 parishes in the diocese, I will be dealing with someone new at each one."

In his position, Haen makes parish visits coordinated by Msgr. John Dewane, diocesan vicar for administration. He reviews the financial operations of the parish and provides suggestions to strengthen the internal control of financial activities.

"Basically, I walk through their operations," said Haen, a graduate of St. Norbert College, De Pere. "I look at various deposits and disbursements they've made so I can gain an understanding of how their system is currently working. I then see if there are any recommendations I can make for improvement."

"When I first go to a parish for a visit, I don't know what to expect," he continued. "Whatever their needs are is where I concentrate."

"Jason has a good professional background and impressive credentials," said Tom Kurkowski, finance officer for the Diocese of Green Bay. "He sits on his parish council, so he has an understanding of how the church works. I hope he can get out to all our parishes within the next couple years."

Haen, a native of Casco now living in Luxemburg, is a member of St. Joseph Parish in Champion. In his spare time he likes spending time with his family, wife, Joan, and daughter, Nicole, and enjoys bowling and softball.

Helping the people in parishes by providing financial guidance is rewarding, said Haen.

"If I can go out to the parishes and help them improve in any way, it's worthwhile," he said. "I hope they do all the recommendations, but even if they find a way to do the most important ones, there will be progress. No one has ever visited many of the parishes before. It's good for someone to go out there and reinforce things they already know and give direction."