Accounting Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Income Tax Unit of the Payroll and Accounts Payable Section, which is part of the Division of Administration in the Department of Operational Support (DOS) of the United Nations. The DOS was established to provide operational advisory services to various entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Payroll and Accounts Payable Section is responsible for processing global payroll and payments, handling income tax claims, and providing policy advice and operational guidance. This includes testing and implementing enhancements to the payroll module and income tax portal of the ERP/UN Tax system. The organization aims to ensure efficient financial operations and compliance with relevant regulations and policies.

Job Overview:
The Accounting Assistant will play a crucial role in the Income Tax Unit, reporting directly to the Chief of the Income Tax Unit. The primary functions of this position include scrutinizing source documents for accuracy, investigating erroneous charges, and recording complex accounting transactions. The role also involves auditing various accounting transactions such as payroll and income tax returns to ensure compliance with financial regulations. The Accounting Assistant will be responsible for reconciling bank accounts, extracting financial details for analysis, and assisting with compliance data transmission to US tax authorities. Additionally, the position requires communication with field offices regarding discrepancies and the preparation of financial reports and data presentations. The Accounting Assistant will also serve as an Approving Officer for disbursements and provide guidance and training to colleagues as necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Accounting Assistant include: scrutinizing source documents for completeness and accuracy; investigating erroneous charges and taking corrective actions; recording and reconciling complex accounting transactions; auditing payroll, final payments, and income tax returns; examining financial transactions of various UN offices and preparing remittances; reconciling complex bank accounts; extracting and analyzing financial data; assisting with compliance data transmission; processing payments to governments and vendors; examining requests for imprest level increases; communicating with field offices regarding discrepancies; reconciling suspense accounts; drafting memoranda; responding to queries; assisting with data collection and analysis; updating information materials; serving as Approving Officer for disbursements; coordinating with business areas; providing guidance and training to colleagues; supervising General Service staff; and performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of five years of experience in accounting, finance, audit, or administrative services is required. This experience can be reduced to three years for candidates with a first-level university degree or higher. Additionally, four years of experience focused on transactional accounting activities such as payroll and income tax processing is required. Experience working with the United Nations or a large organization with decentralized systems is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting policies, and the ability to maintain accurate records and resolve discrepancies.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. While specific job-related qualifications are not detailed, candidates with higher education, particularly in finance or accounting, may have an advantage in the selection process.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, audit, or administrative services. This requirement is reduced to three years for candidates who hold a first-level university degree or higher. Candidates should have substantial experience in transactional accounting activities, particularly in payroll and income tax processing, and experience in a large organization with complex systems is preferred.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, and while it is not mandatory for this position, proficiency in French may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary post for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and budgetary approval. The appointment is subject to local recruitment, meaning applicants must be authorized to work in the duty station. Selected candidates from outside the duty station will be responsible for their relocation expenses. The position does not offer allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruitment. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.