The Senior Project Accountant on the Financial Operations team is an accounting subject matter expert with project and operational experience. The person hired in this role will need to be a problem solver, trusted business partner, and have a good understanding of general ledger accounting, accounts payable, expense management, treasury, payroll, and other financial operations. They will also need to have project management experience, where they have driven finance/accounting projects to completion (system/application integrations, policy implementation, etc.) and will need to represent the GFAS subject matter expert on foundation-wide projects and initiatives.
The Senior Project Accountant is responsible for the following:
- Work with GFAS leadership and the project management office (PMO) team within GFAS to drive and be responsible for project activities, including integrated project planning, change management, resource planning, requirements gathering and completion of projects
- Ensure strategic and tactical alignment through project life-cycle
- Collaborate with foundation teams on project development and ensure support on GFAS and cross-functionally
- Hold stakeholders and project team accountable for completion of accounting/finance related projects
- Providing guidance and training as needed related to projects, and other ad hoc projects when requested
- Maintaining and act as SME for financial systems
While this position has no direct reports, this position works in a highly matrixed environment and works closely with the following stakeholders:
- Frequent interaction with individuals in IT, Finance, Human Resources, and GFET (Global Facilities, Events & Travel) regarding various issues ranging from information needed from them to make a decision to information needed to complete project work
- Interaction with all members in GFAS, including the Controller and Deputy Directors, to gather information and to collaborate on standard and complex issues and projects. This involves strong listening skills and communication skills. Presentation of results, findings and proposed solutions directly to the Controller and Deputy Directors is involved
- Interaction with Regional Offices: support and coordination between Regional Office, other entities and Headquarters
- Interaction with staff, cross-functional colleagues for project related work
- An individual with a blended background that involves both work in a public accounting firm, and industry experience, would be preferred
- Strong initiative, organization skills and ability to work autonomously and cross-functionally while remaining flexible to changing tasks, priorities, and roles and responsibilities
- Ability to lead and manage work/projects to completion by quickly learning relevant information with minimal direction
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to professionally interact with staff and external partners at all levels
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Intellectually curious with solution orientation and the ability to identify new ways of working
- Technical expert in their industry domain including processes, systems and tools with the ability to influence and implement change
- End to end process management, including change management and internal controls
- Project management skills and ability to supervise and manage the work of others, including external vendors
- Ability to build strong relationships and credibility with clients and key decision-makers
- Models professional courage– engages in trust-based debate, asks hard or unpopular questions, and is willing to say no
- Trusted advisor to colleagues throughout the organization