Traveling Financial Controller IPA

IPA Traveling Financial Controller (New Haven, CT)

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.

About the Traveling Financial Controller Position:

Innovations for Poverty Action is expanding its Finance team, creating a Traveling Financial Controller position to work closely with the CFO, the Controller, and country offices to build, improve and manage the organization’s global finance systems to adequately meet the complex needs of a rapidly growing global organization. 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.

Responsibilities:

· Works with country office management during office start-up to develop financial and accounting systems.

· Trains and supports field office accountants in the installation and maintenance of accounting software.

· Plays an important role in further developing IPA’s policies and procedures.

· Trains and supports field office accountants (and other applicable field staff) in accounting procedures, IPA policies and procedures and funder financial rules and regulations.

· Educates and updates field accountants in policy and procedural changes.

· Ensures that field offices are in compliance with funder’s financial rules and regulations.

· Ensures that field offices are in compliance with IPA financial policies and procedures.

· Responsible for correct, complete, and timely transmittal of accounting data from field office accountants to headquarters.

· Responsible for communicating field office compliance issues to headquarters.

· Works with program and project staff during closeout on financial and accounting matters.

Background & Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, related field, or comparable work experience.

· Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in Finance and Accounting in an international, Non-Profit environment.

· Knowledge of Project Accounting and Donor Accounting required.

· English proficiency: Demonstrated ability to communicate detailed financial information in English (verbal and written).

· In-depth QuickBooks knowledge required, both for implementing new accounting systems and for upgrading existing systems. Knowledge of SAGE MIPS is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

· Ability and willingness to travel to field locations at least 50% of the time.

· Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to lead, develop, and mentor staff during organizational development and transitions.

· Ability to read, interpret and communicate governmental and organizational rules and regulations.

· Proficiency with MS Office products (Excel and Word particularly)

· Ability to prioritize while handling multiple tasks and work well under deadline with excellent attention to detail.

· Strong organizational skills and ability to take initiative and prioritize; good time management skills.

· Ability to work both independently and in a team

· Ability to keep information confidential.

· Customer service orientation.

· Proficiency in French and/or Spanish a plus.

Location: This position is based in New Haven, CT with international travel approximately 50% of the time

To Apply

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

· In the subject line: Copy exactly the following position line: 100480IPAUSA, Traveling 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.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the. Traveling Financial Controller. 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.