Senior Manager, Accounting

Department Summary

The Search for Common Ground Finance Team seeks to achieve excellence in financial management by providing accurate and timely financial information to Search management and programs and by adhering to established financial practices and accounting principles.

Team Summary

The accounting team has responsibility for the consolidated financial reporting, cash management, internal controls, and overall accounting operations at Search for Common Ground. The accounting process includes summarizing, analyzing and reporting these transactions to oversight agencies, regulators and tax collection entities; recording accounts, paying invoices, tracking assets and expenditures, managing payroll and keeping track of critical tax documents.

Responsibilities

• Manages accounting activities and provides specialized analysis and financial reporting
• Oversees accounting staff and manages day-to-day operations for a functional unit
• Oversees the accounting activities required to maintain Search’s general ledger and related financial statements
• Oversees the development and maintenance of financial systems and facilitates process improvement with cross-functional team members

Submissions

• Manages and coordinates activities of the accounting team to ensure timely and accurate recording of transactions and accounting activities; includes a detailed analytical review of Balance Sheet accounts and validation of reports
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with federal and industry standards/principles, company practices, policies, and procedures; includes reviewing and approving monthly accruals, disclosure of financial statements, and other accounting activities
• Supervises and reviews monthly closing process and related monthly close activities, including review and approval of all standard, non-standard, and adjusting entries
• Supports the preparation of the 990
• Uploads the Quarterly federal grants report to the organizational system
• Performs the treasury function for the monthly cash drawdown from the US Government Payment Management System (PMS)
• Works closely with the International Finance team to manage project liquidity
• Reviews and approves daily and monthly reconciliations
• Establishes partnerships with third-party vendors to ensure effective service delivery
• Recommends, establishes, and implements internal controls to maintain compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
• Provides leadership development to team members to optimize operational excellence and create a bench of experienced talent
• Directs and audits payroll procedures to include earnings, tax withholding, and absence processing and ensures compliance with organizational procedures.
• Maintains accounting department structure of responsibilities and guidelines by reviewing, updating, and implementing policies and procedures
• Ensures the team receives initial and ongoing training to keep updated on any changes to accounting or related programs, policies, processes, or procedures, as well as to enhance the team’s customer service skills
• Works collaboratively with HR, International Finance, and all internal customers in support of organizational goals and requirements
• Maximizes the effectiveness of technologies and supporting processes to drive continuous improvement and scalable initiatives
• Maintains consistency of adherence to policies and goals, establishes and communicates standard operating procedures for the accounting team to follow, monitor, and analyze
• Communicates with other departments and vendors regarding Payroll position on relevant issues, design/revise tools, processes and procedures to improve efficiency, and head special projects as needed
• Infuses organizational values ​​into all work
• Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Works collaboratively with senior managers and colleagues sharing senior expertise; builds teams for successful implementation of projects and programs.
• Effectively influences vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of ​​purview.
• Makes decisions on existing information when it may not be complete.
• Adapts to the personal style and preferences of colleagues to assess their needs and preferences; tolerates ambiguity.
• Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search; develops program objectives, indicators, and results; and participates in strategy development for the team.
• Creates standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams with the ability to create a best fit that considers international norms and compliance while supporting an organizational culture for work.
• Overcomes obstacles, including personal biases, by following Search’s ethics code in complex situations; displayed in activities as ethical principles and values ​​that guide professional interactions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities in a complex environment and convenes discussions to lead to a favorable outcome.
• Establishes tools to monitor quality of work and verification of information.
• Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources and applies delegation skills to support the development of others, as well as the building of efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Supports employees in their efforts to achieve job goals (eg, by providing resources, removing obstacles, acting as a buffer).
• Engages with Shared Services teams, cross-functional teams, and colleagues to produce innovative solutions.
• Uses analysis (costs, benefits, risks) to manage within global standards and best practices framework.
• Guides colleagues, Shared Services teams, cross-functional teams, and direct reports toward learning resources for purposes of broadening skill sets and understanding for continued growth in both breadth and depth of knowledge for organizational functions, standards, and objectives.

Type and Nature of Contacts

• Routinely coordinates with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problem situations with tact.
• Represents, as assigned, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners.
• Interacts with the country office and regional staff.

Education and Experience

Typically a BS/BA in Accounting or Finance with a minimum of 12 years of experience with at least 5 years experience with accounting and financial management in the INGO nonprofit sector, CPA/CIMA certification and experience with INTACCT software preferred

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel internationally at least 10%.

Supervisory and Budget Responsibility

May supervise one or more staff members.