Accountant

The Organization

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 500 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 56 offices in 35 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff who love their work. You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.

Summary of Position

The Accountant, based in Brussels, Belgium will assist the Finance Department with reporting from financial offices of banking transactions. The Accountant will report directly to SFCG’s Corporate Controller and will work on a day-to-day basis under the guidance of the Director of the Brussels Headquarters.

Responsibilities

• General ledger accounting
• Monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting & close process
• Assisting with the external audit process
• Account reconciliation and analysis
• Planning, coordinating and executing annual office financial audit
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures with emphasis on internal controls
• Accounts payable: collecting, recording and filing invoices, preparing payments, sending proofs of payment when required
• Accounts receivable: invoicing third parties for fees and costs reimbursements, following up on payments;
• Booking costs, income, bank and credit card statements in the accounting system; preparing reconciliations and statements for management
• Verifying and filing supporting documents ensuring compliance with Belgian regulations and donors’ requirements
• Preparing  BNB report
• Managing accounting: allocating income and expenses to relevant budget codes for internal budget control and reporting to donors
• Mastering data maintenance budget/actual review and volumes/workloads compliance with deadlines payment housekeeping operations payroll and related accruals fixed asset movements cost allocations annual reporting tax compliance etc.
• Reconciling general ledger accounts and preparing financial statements
• Managing accounting and financial systems; maintaining full and accurate accounting records and providing financial and accounting advice
• Planning and implementing quality assurance for all processes
• Reviewing budgets generated in the field offices for new proposals
• With the Corporate Controller and Grants & Contracts Director, devising and maintaining a system of regular management reporting to Country Directors on the financial status of awards

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree/ Licence in Accounting/Business Administration (Masters’ degree preferred)

• Minimum five years’ experience in financial management with an organization that operates in developing countries
• Fluent French and English
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and tight deadlines

• Detail-oriented with ability to meet deadlines, both prescribed and self-imposed

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and one or more sophisticated accounting systems required
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
• Strong spreadsheet and analytical skills
• Experience working in a non-profit organization, preferably international
• Ability to work well as a member of a team

Desirable:

• Experience working in a developing country

Salary:  Contrat de durée determiné (CDD). Commensurate with education and experience, with excellent benefits.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume at: https://sfcg.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=123. Please be sure to include minimum salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date (starting ASAP), and to mention where you found this posting. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.