Senior Accountant

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established by the Bishops of the United States, CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. The organization is committed to assisting the poor and vulnerable overseas, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS operates through various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its mission and values in all operations. CRS employs a diverse workforce and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its commitment to serving those in need. The agency has a comprehensive benefits package and fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture.

Job Overview:
The Senior Accountant will play a crucial role within the Finance Division, focusing on lease accounting for CRS globally. This position involves providing direct accounting support to CRS staff in various country programs. Key functions include preparing general ledger account reconciliations for leases, conducting account analysis and research, preparing journal entries, and generating related financial reports. The Senior Accountant will monitor financial information to assist the global controller department in reporting financial results, ensuring compliance with CRS policies and donor regulations. The role also encompasses managing the month-end close process related to leases, ensuring accurate and timely completion of all lease accounting entries and reconciliations. The Senior Accountant will be responsible for lease monitoring across CRS HQ and all country programs, managing leases through specialized software, and preparing quarterly lease roll forwards. Additionally, the position involves driving projects, providing accounting guidance, and serving as the first point of contact for finance and business partners to resolve lease-related issues. The Senior Accountant will also advise Country Program Finance Managers on policies and procedures, present lease training, prepare financial reporting including disclosures and audit reports, and assist with financial information requests from internal and external auditors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Accountant will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Preparing and maintaining general ledger account reconciliations for leases.
• Conducting thorough account analysis and research to ensure accuracy in financial reporting.
• Preparing journal entries related to lease accounting and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
• Monitoring financial information to assist in the reporting of financial results and compliance with CRS policies and donor regulations.
• Managing the month-end close process for leases, ensuring timely completion of all accounting entries and reconciliations.
• Performing lease monitoring for CRS HQ and country programs, including managing leases through lease software.
• Preparing quarterly lease roll forwards and ensuring accuracy in financial statements.
• Driving projects related to lease accounting and providing guidance to finance and business partners.
• Advising Country Program Finance Managers on policies and procedures related to lease accounting. 1
• Presenting lease training to new Country Program Finance Managers as needed. 1
• Preparing financial reporting, including disclosures and audit reports, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements. 1
• Assisting colleagues with financial information requests and supporting documentation for audits. 1
• Acting as a subject matter expert on lease accounting under ASC 84
• 1
• Analyzing monthly and quarterly fluctuations in assigned accounts and proposing necessary adjusting entries. 1
• Performing other related tasks and ad hoc projects as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a minimum of 2-4 years of accounting experience. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or being a current candidate for the CPA exam is essential. Preferred qualifications include familiarity with GAAP research tools and the FASB codification, as well as experience with lease accounting under ASC 84

• Candidates should also have experience in researching and documenting support for accounting conclusions.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, which provides the foundational knowledge necessary for the role. This educational background is critical for understanding complex accounting principles and practices, particularly those related to lease accounting and financial reporting.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 2-4 years of relevant accounting experience. This experience should encompass a solid understanding of accounting principles, particularly in lease accounting, and familiarity with financial reporting processes. Candidates with experience in a dynamic, results-oriented environment will be preferred, as the role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Strong communication skills are essential for interacting with internal teams, external auditors, and finance partners. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in regions where CRS operates.

Additional Notes:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. The organization is committed to a collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on improving the lives of the poor globally. All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application. The job description is not exhaustive and may include additional duties as assigned. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices.