United States of America: Senior Finance Officer

Organization: Counterpart International
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 26 Sep 2014

Counterpart International is a global development organization that empowers people and communities to implement innovative and enduring solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. Fornearly 50 years*, Counterpart has been forging partnerships with communities in need to address complex problems related toeconomic development,food security and nutrition, and buildingeffective governance and institutions. For more information visit*www.Counterpart.org

SUMMARY:

Counterpart International is seeking a Senior Finance Officer for the Project Financial Accounting team located in the Arlington, VA headquarters. Reporting to the Manager, Project Accounting, the Senior Finance Officer will be responsible for applying accounting procedures to program structures, cycles, and needs for Counterpart’s federally-funded grants and cooperative agreements as well as programs funded by other donors. The position involves reconciliation, processing and auditing of project financial records, preparing monthly invoices, and preparation of project financial reports. The Senior Finance Officer will be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in a priority area for the finance team. This position requires a highly motivated and capable individual with excellent Excel skills, a self-starter who can learn quickly, has attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to multitask. Strong organizational skills and ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams both at headquarters and with field offices is crucial to success in this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads initiative to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in an area of importance to the finance team, i.e. foreign currency exchange rates, commodity management, indirect cost rates, etc;

• Reviews field finance reports and supporting documentation, bank reconciliations, accounts receivable and other financial data received from field operations;

• Prepares journal entries and invoices, and posts into accounting system;

• Prepares monthly project financial reports and provides assistance in interpreting financial reports to program and field staff;

• Prepares the monthly cash analysis for the programs;

• Prepares assigned financial reports for programs quarterly and/or upon completion of program;

• Reconciles assigned general ledger accounts each month;

• Supports the Manager, Project Accounting in producing and analyzing corporate financial reports;

• Communicates and coordinates with field offices, providing HQ support, responding to financial questions from field staff, and providing mentoring as needed;

• Investigates issues/problems, makes approved adjustments and corrections in financial system as needed;

• Monitors actual expenses against budget and provides variance analysis as required;

• Prepares assigned yearly audit schedules;

• Serves as a mentor and trainer to Finance Officers to help develop their skill sets;

• Takes initiative to constantly seek out opportunities for learning and training to increase own capacity;

• Manages official final close out process for closed projects and submits appropriate documents to donor;

• Performs miscellaneous tasks and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related field such as business administration, economics, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by a minimum of 24 semester hours in accounting and/or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality; or a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor obtained through written examination;

• Minimum nine years of related work experience with at least four years focused in international development accounting including grants and contracts accounting; or relevant equivalent combination of experience and education;

• Substantive knowledge of the technical and operational requirements of government funding agencies (e.g. USAID, USDA, Department of State, etc.);

• Excellent MS Excel spreadsheet skills;

• Accounting software user experience required, Quickbooks and Navision experience preferred;

• Thorough knowledge of and experience with standard federal grants, contracts and cooperative agreement terms and their application to the billing process;

• Knowledge of OMB circulars and A-133 audit requirements preferred;

• Ability to multi-task, work well with others, meet deadlines, respond to changes in priorities, and work in rapidly changing, deadline driven environment;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills;

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills required;

• Ability take on a leadership role, work independently, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through to completion;

• Strong service-focused orientation; must work well and respectfully with field office personnel;

• Proficiency in second language a plus.

Counterpart is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Create a profile and apply at:

https://rew12.ultipro.com/COU1004/jobboard/NewCandidateExt.aspx?__JobID=434