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Accounts Specialist, Statutory Reporting Unit

United States of America (the) - New York

This Accounts Specialist position is located in the Accounts Section, Finance Branch of the Division for Management Services. The Finance Branch is responsible for global finance, including budgets, accounting and treasury services as well as initiating improvement efforts in areas of financial operations. The Branch also plays a key role in the custody and distribution of financial resources and the monitoring of expenditures. The Accounts Section itself currently consists of 5 sub-sections - the country office support team; the income team; the statutory reporting unit; the payments team and the data management unit. The incumbent of this position will report to the Finance Specialist who will supervise a new Statutory Reporting Unit.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operationalize the IPSAS Compliant Accounting Environment within UNFPA
• Assist supervisor to (i) ensure that the UNFPA accounting environment is adapted as necessary to meet the requirements for IPSAS compliance and reporting (ii) update, improve and add to existing country office and headquarter guidance to ensure transactions will be recorded in an IPSAS compliant way that will facilitate the timely and accurate production of the Financial Statements and Notes (iii) ensure an adequate system of "checks and balances" exists to monitor compliance with this guidance throughout the year (iv) assist in the determination of initial take-on values for PPE, inventory, etc.

Prepare the UNFPA Financial Statements and Notes to a first draft level
• Assist supervisor in ensuring the accurate and timely annual accounting closure for UNFPA and in preparing the Financial Statements and Notes to a "first draft" level. Specific responsiblility for preparation of some specialised IPSAS notes and statements e.g. budget v actual comparisons, etc.

Automation of UNFPA Financial Statements
• Assist supervisor in the specification, development, testing and running of automated IPSAS Financial statements and various notes.
• Review the post -IPSAS donor reporting requirements with a view to preparing automated reports

Routine Accounting Reviews
• Specific responsibility for the monitoring of selected account codes and performance of selected key reconciliations e.g. property, plant and equipment.

Other
• Ad hoc duties as requested by supervisor.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
• Values/Guiding Principles
• Integrity/Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing Diversity/Commitment to Mandate
• Developing People/Performance Management/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment
• Working in Teams/Communication/Self-Management/Emotional Intelligence/Conflict Management
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking and Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:
• Business acumen
• Client orientation
• Innovation/marketing of new approaches
• Job knowledge/Technical knowledge
• Organizational Awareness

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Finance or Accounting, etc. required. Accounting designation (CPA, CA) an advantage.
• 5 years experience in a financial reporting and accounting environment at national and international level.
• Good knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS and years experience in the production of statutory accounts under these standards.
• Experience in the production of accounts using a major ERP system, preferably Peoplesoft / Oracle.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Able to translate business requirements into logical systems specifications.
• Excellent drafting skills tested in development of system specifications.
• Excellent knowledge of spreadsheets and relational databases (UNFPA's standard is MS office).
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. Knowledge of additional UN languages desirable.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position.
How to apply
UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.

Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc