Global Controller

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide relief and development assistance, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency's mission is driven by a collaborative culture that values integrity, accountability, and respect for all individuals. CRS employs a diverse workforce and welcomes candidates from various backgrounds who share its values and commitment to humanitarian work.

Job Overview:
The Global Controller is a pivotal role within the organization, responsible for analyzing the financial status of the company and collaborating with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to develop and implement long-term financial goals. This position entails overseeing the preparation of all financial reports, statements, audits, and controls, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of financial reporting both internally and externally, including donor reporting. The Global Controller will also be tasked with enforcing internal controls to comply with accounting standards and regulations, thereby safeguarding the organization's financial integrity. The role requires a strategic mindset to lead financial operations and ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accounting standards. The Global Controller will also play a crucial role in enhancing the organization's financial management processes and systems, driving improvements to achieve operational efficiency and transparency.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Global Controller will oversee all financial accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with GAAP standards and regulatory requirements. Key responsibilities include maintaining and analyzing general ledger accounting records, resolving technical accounting issues, and overseeing month-end close activities. The Global Controller will ensure that all transactions are recorded in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards, analyze financial statements, and prepare reports that accurately reflect the organization's financial activities. This role involves developing and enforcing internal controls to protect the organization's assets and ensure compliance with donor regulations. The Global Controller will lead global audit activities, oversee financial compliance with major institutional donors, and manage grant accounting and revenue recognition processes. Additionally, the position requires overseeing financial operational functions, including accounts payable, payroll, and accounts receivable, as well as managing global treasury operations and ensuring adequate liquidity and reserves. The Global Controller will also drive process improvements, optimize the global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and manage a diverse global accounting team, providing training and support to enhance organizational financial capacity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Economics, or Finance, along with a minimum of 12 years of financial and/or program management experience in an international operations environment. At least 7 years of this experience should be in a supervisory role, demonstrating the ability to manage large, geographically distributed programs. Experience in business change projects and process improvement is also essential. Preferred qualifications include an MBA or Master's degree in a related field with a focus on Accounting, as well as a professional certification in Accounting or being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Economics, or Finance as a minimum educational qualification. An MBA or Master's degree in a related field with a focus on Accounting is preferred, along with relevant professional certifications such as CPA.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 12 years of experience in financial and/or program management, specifically within an international operations context. This experience should include at least 7 years in a supervisory capacity, managing large and complex programs across multiple locations. Candidates should also have a proven track record in business change initiatives and process improvement.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in regions where CRS operates, but English remains the primary language of communication.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel of up to 10%. The role includes supervisory responsibilities and is expected to adhere to the agency's competencies, which emphasize personal accountability, integrity, trust-building, collaboration, and a commitment to learning. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. The successful candidate will be expected to sign and adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable populations. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS offices are located.