Parish Financial Controls Committee appointed
Panel will advise Bishop Kmiec

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec has announced that the Diocese of Buffalo has created a Financial Controls Committee for Parish Finances. The bishop initiated planning for the committee in February. Following internal study, recommendations were proposed regarding the membership of the committee. The individuals were invited to join the committee at the end of March.

The first meeting with the bishop took place May 7.

The committee will work with the diocese to refine the present policy and procedure manual for parish business practices and finances, expand training programs for priests and parish lay personnel, and monitor financial controls at the parish level. “In light of recent isolated breaches of honesty and integrity, we plan to strengthen compliance with the internal control system in our parishes,” Bishop Kmiec said. “Years ago, we did not worry about such crimes against the Church. Instead, we relied upon the Christian message of trust and honesty, and we expected our employees and volunteers to take that message to heart.

“Today, we are living in a different world. As stewards of the funds entrusted to us by the people of our parishes, we have a duty to enhance controls and to continually strictly monitor those controls. This committee will help us do just that. The establishment of this committee gives notice to all who would try to take advantage of the goodwill of our churches and their parishioners that we will not stand by and watch dishonesty reduce the assets that have been targeted for charity.”

The committee is comprised of a number of Western New York business leaders with a wide range of financial management and law enforcement experience. It includes:

Rocco J. Diina, former police commissioner of the City of Buffalo, with more than three decades of law enforcement experience. Diina is the founder and former CEO of the largest security firm in Western New York, and he currently serves as a security and business consultant to a variety of national and international clients.

Patrick J. Finnerty, the chief confidential criminal investigator for the Erie County District Attorney’s Office from 1990 until 2007. In that role, Finnerty was involved in investigating and prosecuting major defalcation and embezzlement cases. He also served for 22 years as a special agent for the United States Secret Service, and before that was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He currently serves as a part time investigator for the Erie County District Attorney’s office.

Christopher J. Henderson, administrative vice-president and corporate security manager for M&T Bank. Henderson is responsible for the day-to-day internal and external fraud investigations in all M&T banks. He has more than 20 years of police experience, first in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, and then in the Youngstown Police Department, where he was chief of police.

Brian E. Keating, former regional president of HSBC Bank, USA currently Western region chairman. Keating has more than 30 years of banking experience at virtually every level of the banking industry, from management associate to regional president.

Anthony B. Martino, a retired partner of the Buffalo CPA firm Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, with over 37 years of experience in finance and public accounting. Martino, who will serve as chair of the committee, is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New York State Society of CPAs.

Alfonso R. Oddo, professor of accounting and chair of the Department of Accounting at Niagara University. In addition to his experience as an accountant, auditor and teacher, Oddo has served as a member of the St. Amelia Parish Finance Committee for more than 25 years and has been chair of the committee since 1996.

Peter M. Vito, acting commissioner of Erie County Central Police Services. Vito is founder, CEO, and a licensed private investigator for Peter M. Vito & Associates, Inc., with almost 30 years experience as a private investigator, and 16 years experience in law enforcement.

Robert M. Zak, president and chief executive officer of Merchants Insurance Group. A certified public accountant, Zak is the primary representative of Merchants Mutual Insurance Company and Merchants Preferred Insurance Company, both rated “excellent” by the A.M. Best Company and by Fitch Ratings.

Bishop Kmiec said he sees the appointment of this committee as an important step toward improving the financial accountability of parishes in the diocese. “Budget constraints make it impossible for us to audit every parish and mission on an annual basis,” he said. “We plan to improve compliance with the many policies that have been in place, develop a policy broader and more precise and a procedure manual of best business practices will help ensure that the gifts of our parishioners are used as intended. The work of the committee will help pastors, parish employees and volunteers become more vigilant in monitoring parish finances and identifying and reporting financial misconduct.”