Innovations for Poverty Action Controller

Innovations for Poverty Action

Controller

New Haven, Connecticut

About IPA

IPA is a nonprofit dedicated to discovering what works to help the world’s poor. We operate on the belief that innovative action driven by evidence of what works accelerates the eradication of global poverty, and we partner with frontline organizations to develop and test solutions to poverty through randomized evaluations. Combining technical rigor, immediate policy interest, and solid grounding in the needs of the poor, our work helps practitioners and donors better allocate their resources and improve their operations.

IPA was founded in 2002 by Yale Economics professor Dean Karlan, who currently serves as its President. The organization’s affiliated researchers are scholars at leading universities, including Yale, MIT, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Princeton and Dartmouth. In the last nine years, IPA has grown to over 500 local and international staff, with over 350 projects in more than 40 countries including the United States. IPA’s funding has grown from approximately $4 million in 2007 to $25 million in 2010, and keeps growing, reflecting significant grants and contracts awarded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the World Bank, the Hewlett Foundation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, amongst others. IPA has attracted financial support from a diverse group of funders indicating broad support of its mission and capacity to address key challenges facing developing countries.

Position

The Controller will develop and implement financial management processes that meet IPA’s growing needs as an international organization leveraging the support of generous donors to advance the work of world-class economists and researchers. S/he will be called upon to analyze past processes, identify areas requiring improvement, contribute as a thought-partner to developing infrastructure moving forward, and lead a team to implement the new practices. This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial and sophisticated financial professional with the drive and determination to apply deep technical know-how towards eliminating poverty internationally.

As part of an organizational financial systems team led by the CFO, the Controller will:

• Engage in higher level operational strategy and the development of finance policies.
• Identify, implement, and manage best business practices related to daily transactional accounting, month-end closing, year-end financial statements, and financial reporting.
• Coordinate audit, regulatory, compliance and tax filings through work with outside auditors.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, international regulations, donor requirements, and organizational operating procedures.

• Identify ways in which technology can streamline the processes required to meet the varied accounting and reporting needs of foreign field offices, donors, and researchers.

Specifically in managing international finances, the Controller will provide support in the following areas:

• Working with the CFO to create financial control and reporting systems that allow for transparent budget and spending practices by IPA field staff in foreign, largely developing countries.
• Understanding finance laws in the countries that host IPA field offices and ensure that the financial and accounting reporting practices of these offices comply with their countries’ requirements.
• Developing and implementing processes that allow the individual field offices to synchronize their financials with the central system at IPA headquarters in Connecticut.
• Establishing budgets that reflect the revenues and expenditures for country offices, and monitor these budgets moving forward.
• Developing strategies and policies to effectively execute financial operations in foreign countries keeping in mind issues that arise with foreign currency, management of hedge funds, and investment strategies.

Specifically in processing donor reporting, the Controller will:

• Review past practices to identify areas that need improvement and employ technology to streamline the processes used to meet IPA’s obligations to donors.
• Implement a transparent and reliable system of reporting program results to donors.

Specifically in overseeing the allocation of funds to researchers, the Controller will:

• Work with the CFO to develop processes that provide internal communication system for how funds are requested, allocated, and disbursed.
• Regularly and effectively communicate with researchers to help them understand how the financial systems put into place support their work, and to help them adhere to the established processes.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field and at least seven years of accounting experience is required. Strong preference will be given to a CPA (or equivalent) with experience in international non-profit or academic settings.
• Demonstrated proficiency in a wide range of accounting practices including, but not limited to, budgeting, forecasting, verification, expense reporting, and payroll.
• Understanding of various tax reporting systems, including the details involved in filing the Form 990.
• A strong record of managing annual audits as well as donor audits. OMB-A133 audit experience will be valued.
• Expertise utilizing technology to improve financial management systems.
• Experience with Sage MIPS and QuickBooks accounting software is desired, and exposure to other accounting, human resources, and grant software is a plus. Familiarity with grant-making and grant-reporting processes is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to meet the demands of managing accounts and payrolls overseas, particularly with respect to different tax scenarios.
• The patience and flexibility to interface with a variety of staff and partners who need to understand IPA’s financial requirements but may only have elementary knowledge of financial reporting.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to lead, develop, and mentor staff during organizational development and transitions.
• An up-beat demeanor along with a sense of humor, a positive can-do attitude, and the humility to regularly incorporate the feedback of others into the work processes.
• Limited international travel will be required.

To Apply

Please send an email to jobs-finance@poverty-action.org , following these instructions exactly:

· In the subject line: Copy exactly the following position line: 100489IPAUSA, Financial Controller (New Haven, CT)

· Attachments: Please attach ONLY your CV and cover letter. outlining your interest in this specific position

· In the email body: Put your full name, first (given) name followed by last (family) name

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, therefore early application is strongly recommended.

Location: New Haven, CT, USA

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the Financial Manager. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-info@poverty-action.org

IPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), adhering to the laws that prohibit discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment. The IPA EOE policy provides equal employment, volunteer, and service opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, veteran status, disability (including HIV/AIDS), or any other status protected by applicable law.