Job Details

Senior Accountant

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

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Job Description:

Job Description

CATEGORY: Exempt, Full-time, Domestic Employee
REPORTS TO: Director of Finance and Administration
LOCATION: Lancaster, PA

JOB SUMMARY
To promote and fulfill the mission and vision of HOPE International and to contribute to the development of a network of world class, Christ-centered microfinance institutions that are operationally self-sufficient and provide exemplary services to clients while adhering to best practices within the microfinance industry.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
The Senior Accountant is responsible for the supervision and provision of technical assistance to HOPE International’s network of microfinance institutions (MFIs) within the areas of accounting and financial analysis. This position is primarily responsible for working with local accounting staff at the MFIs to ensure strong accounting and finance practices and compliance with HOPE’s accounting policies and procedures, particularly as it relates to the consolidation of certain MFIs’ financial statements into HOPE International. The Senior Accountant will work closely with the finance and program staff of HOPE International here in Lancaster and the accounting staff in the local MFIs in the countries we serve. Although the Senior Accountant may work with any of the MFIs in our network, there will be a special emphasis on those MFIs that are consolidated into HOPE International. The ultimate goal of the Senior Accountant will be to help HOPE receive an unqualified audit opinion on its consolidated financial statements.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
I. Compliance and Policies
A. Ensure compliance of MFI accounting practices and procedures with HOPE International’s policies. Understand local MFI policies and report mismatches between their policies and HOPE’s overall policies. The Senior Accountant will also maintain HOPE's accounting policies related to its MFIs and will improve them as necessary in coordination with HOPE’s Finance Manager, ensuring that we stay up to date with relevant US GAAP and IFRS standards.
B. Work closely with HOPE’s Manager of Internal Audit to monitor that appropriate reconciliations and controls are in place and followed.
C. Assist local MFI accounting staff in ensuring compliance with local central bank standards and appropriate local accounting practices.
II. Technical Accounting and Analysis
A. Act as a liaison between HOPE International’s finance department and MFIs.
B. Identify and resolve accounting and transaction discrepancies; work with MFI Accounting Managers to provide detailed explanations for variances between actual and planned activities.
C. Ensure that an appropriate regular monthly close process is in place at each of the consolidated MFIs and that this process is being followed, with regular spot checks of the reconciliations performed.
D. Assist the MFI accounting staff with training, documentation, research and other tasks.
E. Provide financial and accounting support to international partner MFIs during their annual audit processes and other formal ratings/reviews, as needed.
F. Analyze financial statements from the MFIs and work with the MFI Accounting Manager to resolve problems.
G. Liaise with other HOPE staff who will take reporting from the MFIs and use it to construct management reporting.
III. Consolidation and Forecasting
A. Work in collaboration with HOPE’s Finance and Program departments to implement the plan for the consolidation of four MFIs in 2010. Ensure practical follow-up on issues related to consolidation and act as a point person for implementing this plan. Monitor progress toward consolidation goals.
B. Responsible for the preparation and accuracy of the MFI portion of the consolidated financial statements, working closely together with HOPE’s Finance Manager. Identify and respond to differences in recording country specific GAAP versus US GAAP.
C. Create cash forecasting tools and prepare regular forecasts for cash flow for the MFIs.
D. Work with the MFI Accounting Manager in various treasury areas, including the monitoring of loans and loan covenants, and working closely with the MFIs to manage the cash effectively.
E. Proactively identify and recommend technological improvements that will improve the efficiency and efficacy of finance and accounting related activities.
F. Undertake special projects as designated by the Director of Finance and Administration.

QUALIFICATIONS:
I. Personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ and passionate commitment to the mission and vision of HOPE International;
II. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting preferred, although will consider finance or economics. MBA, CPA or CFA preferred;
III. 5-7 years work experience, preferably in accounting, financial services, financial analysis, or equivalent analytical experience, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility.
IV. Broad knowledge of both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Knowledge of auditing standards preferred;
V. Strong organizational skills, including effective time management and prioritization of competing demands/multiple deadlines;
VI. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
VII. Assertive self-starter with the ability to work independently with little oversight while remaining an effective member of a team focused on the achievement of network-wide goals;
VIII. Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
IX. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of a multinational organization;
X. International experience and strong cross-cultural communication skills.
XI. Be willing to travel up to 40% of the time, including travel to unstable countries.
XII. Knowledge of French or Russian helpful.