Senior Accountant – Geneva, Switzerland (Headquarter)

Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by armed groups and de facto authorities for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, particularly those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call is a private, not-for-profit humanitarian organization founded in 1998 under Swiss law.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Overall

Geneva Call is seeking a talented and experienced professional accountant who is a team player who will strengthen the existing team due to growth of budget and staffing over the past years and take the lead in preparing the financial statements for the organisation, reconcile financial accounts to provide management reporting on a monthly basis. Reporting directly to the Head of Finance, you will be a key member of the Finance team. You will be responsible for ensuring the accounts are accurate, reconciled and up to date. The Senior Accountant will work closely with the other finance areas to ensure alignment and adherence to Swiss GAAP accounting standards and best practice for both internal controls and general financial management. The role will liaise directly with the external auditors on all audits field and HQ and other key stakeholders to ensure the smooth production of all statutory submissions & returns and monthly accounting reports to senior management.

Main activities

Financial accounting and Traesury

• Keep up to date Geneva Call’s accounting and related systems, policies, procedures to ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Assume leadership role for the accounting system and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of all financial records.
• Manage the month-end and year-end closure procedures as well as the annual audit in close coordination with the rest of the finance team under the direct supervision of the Head of Finance.
• Provide regular monthly management reporting analysis as well as ad hoc requests from the Directors or the Board.
• Liaise with the Geneva Call’s external auditors, tax advisors, bankers, lawyers, stakeholders, and all relevant authorities.
• Ensure the overall financial integrity of the organisation’s records and reports.

Internal Control System

• Assist with effective implementation of the internal financial controls and undertake all aspects of monitoring to ensure the control system is aligned with organisational needs.

Audit and legal compliance

• Liaise closely with finance team for audits for both field and HQ projects and overall responsibility for the annual statutory audit.
• Be alert and proactive with respect to all financial regulatory changes and practices which may impact Geneva Call’s regulatory status.

Others

• Maintain the fixed asset register, ensuring assets are held within the business, and correct application of additions, disposals, depreciation, and impairment.
• Performs other duties as required and as they relate to overall financial management for the organisation.

Main qualifications

Education and experience

• Professional qualification as a chartered accountant or certified accountant required.
• University degree in Finance or Accounting with minimum of ten years relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum ten years of experience in a financial accounting role.
• Essential to have similar years of experience in financial accounting preferably within an international organization with complex donor requirements or multinational company with external offices/locations.
• Experience working in the humanitarian section is an advantage.

Technical skills

• Expert accounting skills are essential.
• Solid experience preparing financial statements required in Swiss GAAP or similar standard required.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to set priorities, complete work with minimal supervision, and meet deadlines.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly knowledge of Microsoft Office software especially excel. ERP experience with Dynamics 365 Business Central would also be a strong asset.
• Excellent team working skills including cross-functionally.
• Excellent communication in English.

Languages

• Excellent communication skills, with fluency (spoken and written) in English. Other languages, especially French, would be an asset.

Personal skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of working in a multicultural environment.
• Self-starter with strong organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• An interest in Geneva Call’s mission.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position : Senior Accountant
• Department: Finance Unit
• Type of Contract: Open-ended (Swiss contract)
• Activity rate: 100%, full-time position
• Work place: Geneva, Switzerland – Please note that only candidates authorized to work in Switzerland will be considered for this position
• Preferred start date: As soon as possible

Application

No later than 30 May, 2024.

Important Note: Our HR team will meticulously evaluate your profile in line with the requirements of the post you have applied for. Since, we receive a good number of applications for all the positions Geneva Call advertises, it is not possible to communicate the results of our decisions with every candidate individually. Therefore, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted by the HR team to invite them for written test – and the steps afterwards if they qualify i.e., interview and other assessments as deemed appropriate.