Accountant
Location: New York New York
Description: United Nations is at the momment seeking for Accountant right now, this career will be placed in New York. Further informations about this career opportunity please read the description below. This post is located in the Investment Management Fund (IMD) of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Operations under the general guidance of the Chief Financial Officer.
Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Operations the incumbent will:
1) Supervise the work of the Unit ensuring that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained, including the following tasks:
- Review, analyze and approve the reconciliation of re! al assets, alternative and other investments done by the Accou! nting Assistants;
- Review the appropriate accounting treatment of corporate actions and new investments throughout the year;
- Review and approve accounting adjustment entries for investment transactions in the Fund's general ledger system as part of the year-end closing process;
- Ensure and oversee accounting for the Fund's investments including the complex real assets, alternative and other investments throughout the year;
- Review unfunded commitments reconciled by the Accounting Assistants on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis for disclosure in the financial statements;
- Review the fair value hierarchy and recommend changes to designated level as part of the year-end closing process;
- Review the financial statements of new funds invested into and assesses whether the net asset methodology as stipulated in IMD's policy can be used to estimate fair value. Review the audited financial statements of old funds to assess whethe! r there were any changes to the accounting policies that would affect the fair valuation of all the assets. Establish valuation methodology to assets not being fair-valued materially in accordance with IPSAS/IFRS;
- Conduct annual impairment review of all investments as well as withholding tax receivables and adjust their values accordingly as part of the year-end closing process;
- Liaise and coordinate with the Risk Unit as well as with the Master Record Keeper (MRK) in order to prepare additional, detailed and extensive IPSAS/IFRS disclosure requirements in a timely manner;
- Recommend accounting policies and treatment of new investment instruments and/or asset classes in accordance with IPSAS/IFRS;
- Monitor IPSAS/IFRS developments and develop new accounting policies based on changes in the relevant accounting standards; and
- Analyze accounts and assist the Chief of Operations in the preparation of annual financial information for the! investments of the Fund for consolidation in the UNJSPF financial stat! ements and related disclosures ensuring consistent application and interpretation of established accounting policies.
Committee, Pension Board, ACABQ and Fifth Committee and any related queries.
3) Act as back-up and provide support to the Chief of Operations in all administrative areas of the Operations Section including but not limited to procurement, recruitment, technical and due diligence evaluations and budget preparation.
4) Provide back-up and support to the Cash Operations and Trade Settlements Unit in the approval of SWIFT messages in the absence of the Finance Officer.
5) Recommend to the Chief of Operations ways and means to improve the reconciliation and accounting functions resulting in the submission of business requirements to the Chief of ISS and the testing and implementation thereof; and/or the drafting of requests for proposals and technical evalu! ation criteria. Work with MRK and ISS in reconfiguring accounting systems to include accounting for new investment instruments.
6) Responsible for the staffing, training and overall management of the Accounting & Reporting Unit and liaising with the Chief of Operations and Chief Financial Officer on all accounting matters.
7) Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM
- Knowledge of investment accounting principles, procedures and standards;
- Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations;
- Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations.
- Shows pride in work and in achievements;
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
- Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
- Is mo! tivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
- Shows p! ersistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
- Remains calm in stressful situations.
- Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;
- Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
- Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
- Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;
- Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession;
- Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally;
- Contributes to the learn! ing of colleagues and subordinates;
- Shows willingness to learn from others;
- Seeks feedback to learn and improve.
- Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority;
- Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member;
- Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
- Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
- Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff;
- Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative;
- Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff;
- Appraises performance fairly.
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly;
- Gathers relevant ! information before making a decision;
- Considers positive and n! egative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
- Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization;
- Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information;
- Checks assumptions against facts;
- Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision;
- Makes tough decisions when necessary.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is required.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in investment accounting or a! ccounting for financial instruments based on international accounting standards or related field. Experience in financial or accounting system implementation is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The post is subject to GA approval and availability of the funds.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and w! omen to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in! its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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If you were eligible to this career, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to United Nations.
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This career starts available on: Thu, 12 Dec 2013 07:51:00 GMT