This is an exciting opportunity to be a key leader, subject matter expert and advisor in all accounting matters within a global organization reporting to the Controller. This role will co-lead the Global Financial & Accounting Services team with responsibility for cross- Foundation accounting policies and procedures. You will act as liaison to our international offices as well as manage an excellent team of accounting professionals.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Manage the Accounting team for the foundation and its related Entities and international offices.
- Serve as strategic advisor to the Controller in leading the GFAS team and operating against the foundation and team priorities.
- Lead transformation of team’s work to best in class performance and strategy.
- In coordination with the Investment & Treasury Manager, liaison with Trust investment manager and custodian on Trust investment assets and accounting issues.
- Act as consultant to the Regional Offices in China, India, UK, Africa and Washington DC on accounting/internal control policies and procedures.
- Act as liaison between the FP&A teams and GFAS on cross foundation accounting and budget issues.
- Consult with FP&A, Legal and Program Areas on complex grants and contract transaction to provide accounting, and payment advice.
- Act as liaison and consultant to the Operating teams on accounting questions, policies and processes.
- Provide accounting and financial systems expertise to cross foundation systems initiatives.
- Act as an accounting resource for the program related investments (PRI) team.
- Assist Controller with establishing accounting/financial policies and procedures and act as thought partner.
- Research new accounting/finance issues as they arise and work to find solutions.
- Serve as GFAS representative on cross foundation projects/meetings.
- Help establish performance metrics and key performance indicators for the GFAS team.
- Lead special projects as assigned by the Controller.
Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or business related field, and a CPA required.
Skills/Experience:
- A minimum of 6 years (10 preferred) of experience.
- Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for purposes of our financial statements and audit is required.
- This position needs to understand the IRS rules of private foundations for both the annual tax returns, as well as for new grants and PRIs to ensure compliance with laws. Prior tax-exempt organization experience is desired.
- Knowledge of the country laws of each of our regional offices is important to ensure financial compliance in these countries is expected to be learned.
- Ability to quickly understand the foundation’s general grant, contract, and PRI structures, as well as variations and pitfalls to advise on new strategic forms of impact investing.
- An understanding of complex financial instruments of a very diverse portfolio including derivatives and alternative investments and the valuation methodologies deriving their present value is important for accounting and tax purposes.
- Experience working with international offices is energetically preferred.
- A deep understanding of financial systems and controls is required.
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills in sensitive and confidential financial transactions requiring demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to work in a self-guided manner, demonstrate good personal judgment, strategic leadership, and exercise a commitment to ethical conduct.
- Practical solution orientation, with ability to discuss material and complex matters and serve as an effective liaison with internal client groups.
- Ability to facilitate and lead cross functional teams and provide proactive collaboration, strategic thinking, and innovative solutions.
- Experience effectively managing a team of people.
- Prior experience with Microsoft Dynamics or other enterprise financial software is preferred, and a demonstrated ability to quickly learn new software tools and processes is required.
- Comfortable with shifting priorities, frequent change and guiding teams successfully through change. Desire to help build new process and seek out and apply best practices and use business process thinking to improve the Accounting function.
- Excellent analytical, process improvement and systems thinking skills.
- Commitment to the foundation’s core values, mission, and programs.
Additional Information:
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Nov 25 2017
Active Until:
Dec 25 2017
Hiring Organization:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
industry:
Nonprofit