JOB PURPOSE The Accounting Norms Expert is responsible for developing the interpretation and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Swiss generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including the preparation of key financial statements in accordance with IFRS and Swiss GAAP. S/he plays a key role in proposing and implementing improvements to the accounting and financial reporting architecture, related informationtechnology (IT) tools and processes. S/he coordinates with key stakeholders involved in financial processes at headquarters, the shared services, in the Field and with external auditors
Main Responsibilities:
- Monitors changes in IFRS, leads projects to determine how ICRC interprets and applies IFRS, identifies the impact on processes and proposes modifications to procedures and tools.
- Researches the application of IFRS and Swiss standards to new material or unusual transactions
- Coordinates the development and adaptation of accounting policies for new IFRS and Swiss accounting standards, with input from key stakeholders
- Documents and maintains the accounting principles in technical memorandums for material transactions and notes for immaterial but unusual transactions
- Ensures the existence of documented processes and controls, makes recommendations for optimizing the processes and supporting the implementation of improvements. Coordinates with Business Process Owners to adapt the Statement of Work deliverables, process flowcharts and Standard Operating Procedures where needed
- Prepares training materials and organizes effective training sessions, adjusting style to the audience
- Financial statements
- Ensures the correct classification of accounts in the account hierarchy in the underlying systems, including leading the investigation and resolution of differences between reports and / or systems
- Prepares consolidated financial statements, ensuring that the financial statements are free of audit qualifications and conform to IFRS international accounting standards
- Completes the annual IFRS disclosure checklist
- Oversees the preparation of statutory financial statements, ensuring that the financial statements are free of audit qualifications and conform to Swiss GAAP
- Coordinates or prepares the calculation of key provisions and IFRS adjustments (e.g. operational and valueadded tax risks) with the relevant divisions/departments (e.g. Legal Division, Human Resources Department and field finance staff).
- Prepares analyses of key financial figures for reports to the governance.
- Plays a key role in ensuring full preparation for the audits of financial statements and responding to auditors' queries and concerns. Ensures that deadlines are met.
- Contributes to the update of the year-end closing instructions and Finance Manual.
- Supports the development of financial accounting IT tools, to help ensure the quality and consistency of accounting reports. Participates in projects aimed at developing financial or managerial IT systems, by contributing to project design, testing, training and documentation.
Certification / Professional experience required
- Certified Public Accountant/CPA
- Extensive knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards
- Swiss General Accounting Principles, International Auditing Standards (ISA), and Swiss Audit Manual (MSA) are assets.
- At least ten years’ overall professional experience
- Experience in external financial audit, at least up to the assistant manager position
- Fluent command of spoken and written English; French an advantage.
- Computer knowledge required: Microsoft Office Suite (Excel/Word), and strong understanding of enterprise resource planning (ERP) integrated systems (PeopleSoft, JD Edwards), Hyperion (Essbase) and data warehouses.
- Proven experience in the interpretation and implementation of IFRS international accounting standards.
- Proven experience in preparing financial statements under IFRS.
- Proven experience in not-for-profit accounting (auditing and / or accounting)
Desired skills & profile
- Autonomous, proactive, client and solution oriented
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Capacity to synthesize complex information
- Capacity to network and strengthen partnerships with a wide range of internal/external stakeholders
- Requires a certain flexibility in terms of working hours (mid-shift schedule) to allow proper networking with Headquarters’ counterparts and/or inclusion in specific project
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Dynamic and fast-growing organization
- Access to further in-house and/or external training
- Flexible work schedule
- Humanitarian endeavour and international environment
How to apply
Qualified applicants are requested to submit their comprehensive resume & motivation letter (mandatory) to: gva_mssc_recruitment_mailbox@icrc.org with the subject title LAST NAME First Name - Accounting Manager
Deadline of application: 23 June 2022 Start Date: As soon as possible Only short-listed candidates will be notified