Overview

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant will support the ICAP Cash Management Team with the monthly examination and review of each field office’s Field Finance Report (FFR) and supporting documentation and the processing of field office wire packages and expense journal entries relating to them.  The Senior Accountant will assist the Accounting Manager, Accounting Supervisor and the ICAP Cash Management team with audits, analytical reports, and special project requests.

It is anticipated that this is for up to 24-month position directly aligned to the life of the ERP project.

Subject to business needs, we may support flexible and hybrid work arrangements. Options will be discussed during the interview process.

Responsibilities

  • Supports the Cash Management Team with the monthly examination, review and monitoring of each field office’s Field Finance Report (FFR), transactions, supporting documentation and payment receipts to ensure accuracy, legitimacy, allowability and allocability of expenses as dictated by donor, Columbia University and ICAP guidelines and regulations and to ensure that the accounting is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). (15%)
  • Performs monthly review of the Field Finance Report submitted by the local country office to ensure that the information recorded into the country offices’ financial accounting books is in conjunction with the relevant supporting documentation. Monthly review will cover payroll, bank reconciliations, advance registers, balance sheet and profit and loss statement. (10%)
  • Confirms that expenditures are allocated to the correct sponsored projects and budget code. Reviews transactions for proper approvals, supporting documentation and compliance with donor rules and regulations, and Columbia University accounting policies. (10%)
  • Records the summarized version of the local office expenditures into the Columbia University accounting system by project account numbers and budget categories after review of Field Finance Report (FFR). Monitors the approval process of wire packages and expense journal entries up to final approval. (10%)
  • Interfaces with field office locations for requests for supporting documentation relating to expenditures and the monthly reporting. (10%)
  • Liaises with country offices and other Finance Teams to respond to field inquiries and/or related issues, identifies and analyzes errors, and follows through to resolution. (10%)
  • Coordinates with Subawards Team to ensure that the subaward payments authorized by the designated New York Subawards Manager and paid through the local office are correctly recorded in country and subsequently reconciled against the relevant purchase order in New York. (10%)
  • Monitors monthly compliance and FFR checklist reports which are shared with the local offices for review and corrective action. Monitors the status of each report ensuring all issues are addressed in a timely manner and subsequent errors are avoided. (5%)
  • Prepares reports of a specialized nature, including, but not limited to, accrual reports, advances aging schedules, unrestricted analyses, and other analytical reports. (5%)
  • Responds to audit requests from field office locations, Finance Teams and Mailman School of Public Health, including the review of transactions in QuickBooks for donor and University compliance on posted transactions ensuring that supporting documentation exists for audited transactions and is in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). (5%)
  • Supports the Cash Management Team in responding to other auditor requests. (5%)
  • Performs other related duties and projects as assigned. (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent in training, education and/or experience , plus three (3) years of related experience
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills in order to deal effectively with varied internal clients
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in auditing strongly preferred
  • Knowledge of US Government Rules and Regulations on Reporting and Expenses
  • Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced environment, coupled with experience with international protocols, non-profit organizations or academic institutions is highly desirable
  • Knowledge of Columbia University systems, ARC, ERP
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