Accounts Analyst

Under the overall supervision of the head of the SRU, the Accounts Analyst supports the adoption of new and updated IPSASs, researches IPSAS impacts, develops gap analysis, identifies system modifications and supports the transition to the new standards at the policy, system and operational levels. This function supports the preparation of UNFPA’s financial statements and other statutory and management reports related to current and future IPSAS adoption and implementation.

You would be responsible for:

• IPSAS compliance
• Research new IPSAS standards and exposure drafts, and analyse for potential impacts based on UNFPA’s current accounting policies, systems and reports;
• Draft technical analysis papers to communicate potential impacts from IPSAS adoption
• Engage with colleagues in sister UN Agencies for common UN system wide approaches to IPSAS adoption for specific standards;
• Support background materials for the UN Task Force on Accounting Standards;
• Support the development of a transition plan for IPSAS adoption of new standards;
• Develop new and/or update accounting policies, procedures and guidance documents to ensure ongoing compliance with IPSAS; perform research and analysis to determine appropriate IPSAS-compliant financial disclosures associated with any accounting policy changes;
• Working with other units in the Finance Branch, support the business process owners on the introduction of the new revenue and transfer expense IPSAS standards and other standards as they are announced;
• Working with the Revenue and Donor Reporting team, prepare select financial analysis and reconciliations to identify adjustments, and quality assure data from implementing the new standard
• Working with business process owners, support review of system configurations to identify system changes to automate new accounting data required for IPSAS compliance;
• Complete periodic account reconciliations, valuation and aging; data collection and validation; oversight over transactions originated by different business units and initiation of corrections for assigned areas.
• Accounts closure and preparation of statutory and management reporting
• Participate in the preparation of UNFPA’s financial statements; draft assigned statements, notes and schedules, ensuring the data agrees to the ERP and is adequately supported;
• Liaise with external and internal auditors and prepare responses to their queries and recommendations; prepare responses to audit observations;
• Implement quality assurance activities over information included in the financial statements before, during and after the closure of accounts for the adoption of new IPSASs. This includes periodic enquiry of high risk areas / transactions, follow-up on lessons learnt, support of business units in clean-up activities and developing measures for minimizing user errors; 
• Support the preparation of other statutory and external reports such as the statistical and financial review report for the Executive Board and financial section of the UNFPA annual report.

Implementation of new systems and tools and capacity building:

• Actively participate in business processes design, development of detailed specifications, development of system prototypes, data migration, user acceptance testing, training of users and other related activities as it relates to the adoption of new IPSAS standards.
• Participate in the design, development, testing and implementation of system-generated statutory and financial performance monitoring reports.
• Provide support, guidance and training to users in business units on financial management matters related to IPSAS and accounts closure.
• Perform other duties as required by the Supervisor or UNFPA leadership

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in accounting / financial reporting, or related fields is required.
• A professional accounting qualification designated by an internationally recognised accounting body (Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant etc.) is a distinct advantage.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 2 years of experience in accounting / financial reporting;
• Demonstrated experience in preparation of financial statements, financial data analysis and account reconciliations;
• Sound understanding of IPSAS or IFRS;
• Experience with financial modules of ERP systems, preferably Oracle-based product/s;
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills; able to translate business requirements into logical systems specifications;
• Strong presentation and writing skills;
• Experience in drafting accounting policies is a significant advantage.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French, is desirable.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2003/job/24143