Headquarters Accounting Manager

Job Description

SUMMARY

• With limited supervision, the senior position of Headquarters Accounting Manager is responsible for ensuring the financial operations, reports, controls and procedures of an international not-for-profit organization are in accordance with US GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements. This position requires both a willingness to engage in daily financial recording and an ability to strategically evolve the organization’s financial management to ever increasing levels of efficiency, effectiveness and professionalism. Accordingly, the position is expected to have solid, hands-on knowledge of all facets of the organization’s headquarters finance responsibilities. The expected trajectory for the successful person in this role is to become the organization’s Controller, once performance and organizational needs warrant. Yet, even once in that role, the person will demonstrate the ability and willingness to operate at both tactical and strategic levels as demands require in this fast-growing, well respected organization.
• The position is responsible for the daily transactions for the headquarters operations as well as the consolidated financial results including: implements and maintains the finance department procedures and practices in accordance with US GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements; prepares and manages internal and external reporting and analyses; completes daily transactions as required; forecasts and manages cash; and trains and develops international finance staff. Experience with government/foundation grants and a CPA are both a strong plus. Given the global reach of the organization, the person must be comfortable with and respectful to diverse teams.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

OVERALL FINANCIAL OPERATIONS & REPORTING

• Engages in and manages the accounting/finance operations of headquarters. Indirectly manages the field offices and subsidiary organizations. For all, is involved in control systems, transaction-processing operations, policies and procedures, period end reporting and ongoing cash management.
• Develops and maintains accounting policies, procedures and controls in accordance with sound accounting principles and applicable regulations and laws. Maintains the chart of accounts. Regularly updates and implements changes to the Finance Manual.
• Compiles and prepares period end financial and administrative reports, such as monthly internal reports and US GAAP based quarterly and annual financial statements. Prepares grant reports, and reports on special fund expenditures and transactions for donors.
• Prepares supporting schedules for general ledger accounts. Reconciles all significant balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis.
• Prepares and reports financial analyses as required to support Board of Directors’ Finance Committee meetings and reviews and semi-annual Board meetings.
• Reviews all finance department practices and reporting to ensure accuracy, timeliness and completeness. Seeks improvement opportunities and provides leadership to guide worldwide team to adopt.
• Prepares and reports financial analyses as appropriate to help functional departments and field leadership make better use of financial data in decision making.
• Calculates, analyzes and periodically reports on appropriate financial metrics.
• Oversees the preparation and management of annual and project specific budgets. Engages in the detailed compilation of budgets and the periodic budget-to-actual tracking and analyses as necessary.

CASH MANAGEMENT

• Performs cash management function and prepares cash flow reports and analyses as required.
• Requests and confirms donor and grant payments. Assists with recording of transactions as required.
• Manages banking and other financial institution relationships. Acts as liaison with banks facilitating wire transfers & deposits. Also serves as the liaison with other financial institutions such as those holding the organization’s investments and/or lending the organization funds.
• Tracks and manages both restricted and unrestricted cash balances.
• Assists in the identification, development and implementation of investment strategies.

COMPLIANCE

• Maintains current working knowledge of all pertinent accounting and other regulatory promulgations to ensure compliance. Researches to identify and adopt industry standard best practices.
• Serves as main point of contact for detailed interactions with external auditors and tax accountants. Has ultimate responsibility for all schedules required for the global audit. Responds to auditors and tax accountants requests on a timely basis. Investigates their findings and recommendations, and guides finance in implementing improvements.
• Organizes data collection, including non-financial items, for IRS Form 990. Ensures that policies are in place to result in positive responses to IRS Form 990 questions.
• Complies with and completes necessary reporting for any local, state and federal government reporting requirements, tax filings and other filings.
• Assists with periodic reviews of accounting and financial controls and processes for the entire organization.
• Oversees and directs all project accounting and ensures timely and accurate donor reporting as per contract requirements. Directs the close-out of projects. Coordinates the preparation of required reports for private, multi-lateral and government donors. Organizes, coordinates and manages donor audits with the external auditors as required.

TRANSACTIONS, PRACTICES & PROCEDURES

• Completes daily recording of headquarters transactions and other cross-organizational transactions as required.
• Administers payroll function for all personnel. Ensures that all staff, including those working internationally, are paid according to all applicable laws and regulations. Completes payroll tax reporting within required deadlines.
• Manages pension fund contributions and administration.
• Analyzes and manages capital expenditure requests and accounting.
• Administers the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
• Ensures periodic bank reconciliations are completed.
• Designs and maintains satisfactory audit trail for all entries and transactions.
• Evolves and maintains an orderly accounting filing system.
• Evolves and maintains a system of controls over accounting transactions.
• Identifies, develops and implements operational best practices.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Manages the NICRA process with USAID to negotiate the most favorable rate for IDE. Maintains currency in USAID rules and regulations and NGO best practices to keep the organization in a strong negotiating position.
• Identifies and mitigates key elements of the organization’s risk profile. Helps secure and maintain appropriate insurance coverage.
• Maintains the computerized fund accounting system for headquarters and field. Researches accounting problems and limitations and develops improvements. Researches and recommends technological updates and changes to improve efficiency
• Maintains accounting system to ensure data integrity and security. Keeps accounting system current with installation of latest updates.
• Seeks, designs, develops and trains others on accounting/finance improvement opportunities, including making recommendations for optimization of the organization’s resources.
• Assists CFO with other projects as requested.
• Cooperates with other staff and associates as needed to promote the mission of the organization. Provides leadership in strengthening internal communications among headquarters staff at all levels and among field program and financial leadership. Helps create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Initially, this position will not supervise any staff. As performance warrants, the role supervises select finance staff and volunteers who support headquarter accounting/finance operations. The position does train staff and volunteers to ensure that global operations adhere to written procedures and US GAAP and that finance is meeting monthly, quarterly and annual deadlines.
• From the start, the position indirectly supervises and assists with the financial functions in the international field offices. The role evaluates and trains field staff to ensure that field level operations adhere to written procedures and that accurate and complete field data is received on a timely basis.
• As assigned, the role manages any third parties to which headquarter finance functions have been outsourced.
• In all activities and decision making, the role must exercise judgment and supervision expertise consistent with NGO sector best practices for the senior financial leadership role of Accounting Manager/Controller. Discerns when to escalate matters for executive involvement. Largely works independently on often complex issues and transactions. Critical thinking, team building and strong communication skills are essential. A customer service orientation also is vital.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced skills in Excel and Accounting-specific software. Intermediate computer skills in Word, Outlook, Internet. Intermediate computer skills also in PowerPoint preferred.
• Knowledge of US GAAP, international law, tax law, IRS rules and regulations, payroll laws, financial audit and single (Federal) audit must be equal to or exceed the knowledge level commonly expected of an Accounting Manager/Controller for a $20M-$50M+ organization.
• Strong attention to detail, whilst not losing sight of the broader picture
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to work independently, identify and analyze problems and competent decision-making skills
• Concise, adaptable and patient and effective verbal, auditory and written communication skills
• Able to work in an environment with persons of diverse ethnic, cultural and social background
• A self-starter with a “can do” attitude, excited to work in a learning and growing environment
• Vibrant team player is a must

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or similar (e.g., B.S. in Business with a major in Accounting) from a four-year college or university is required. Masters of Accountancy and/or MBA is preferred.
• At least 8 years relevant work experience inclusive of roles with increasing responsibility, with at least 3 years of experience with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) preferred
• At least 3 years supervisory experience also preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Certified Public Accountant is strongly preferred

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Proficient in speaking, writing and reading English. Proficiency in speaking, writing and reading Spanish is highly preferred. Proficiency in speaking, writing and reading French and/or Portuguese is also a plus.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common financial reports, and legal documents
• Ability to respond to common inquiries, requests or complaints from auditors, donors, grantors, customers, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, insurance agencies, or members of the business and NGO communities
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, field leadership and/or the Boards of Directors

• Must be able to communicate effectively with international staff who do not use English as their first language

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Travel: Moderate domestic and international travel required. International travel may be to areas with minimal physical comforts. A valid passport is required at all times. Travel shots may be required and will vary based on travel location(s).
• Work Hours/ Shifts: Normal work hours are Mondays through Fridays 8:30am to 5:00pm Mountain Time. Work is performed primarily in an office environment (open office space). Communication with international staff commonly requires availability outside of normal work hours.

For consideration, please submit cover letter, salary requirements and resume to recruit@fortehumanresources.com. Please reference “Headquarters Accounting Mgr.” in the subject field of your email.

We regret than due to the volume of resumes received, we cannot always acknowledge all candidates. We thank you for your interest.

About the Organization

iDE incorporates business methods into its operations. We understand that our customers-small scale farmers-are entrepreneurs in their own right and that our approach offers them a chance to use technologies and services that we promote, including micro-irrigation technology, to create significant additional income. We believe that the private sector is the best vector for service delivery and that subsidies undermine the potential for long term business profitability.