Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps alleviates poverty, suffering, and oppression and works to build secure, productive, and just communities in over 40 countries worldwide. The Corporate Accounting, Payroll, Timekeeping, and Travel Departments perform vital functions for Mercy Corps globally. These groups interact with all other departmental functions and separate entities of the Agency, providing meaningful financial information to employees, management, donors, and regulators; processing global pay and vendor payments; and enabling team member travel. Corporate Accounting includes all consolidated accounting, headquarters accounts payable, annual global external audits, and global consolidated financial reporting. The Corporate Accounting Department works closely with the Treasury and International Finance Departments in consolidating field information to provide monthly consolidation of over 40 country ledgers.
General Position Summary
The Senior Accountant provides accounting analysis in financial administration according to generally accepted accounting principles. The Senior Accountant is responsible for the timely completion of high-risk journal entries and reconciliations during each month-end close, ensuring all work performed is in accordance with GAAP. The Senior Accountant will manage the position by improving documentation and recommending improvements to current accounting processes and procedures. The Senior Accountant is responsible for transactional processing as well as general financial accounting and financial reporting. This position is responsible for ensuring appropriate accounting principles, practices, and internal control procedures are applied in the accurate and timely preparation of financial records and statements. Meets tight deadlines for a multitude of accounting activities which may include general ledger preparation, account reconciliations, account review & analysis, financial reporting, year-end audit preparation support, banking, and other financial activities.
Essential Responsibilities
Recording, reconciliation, and support of revenue recognition for individual and corporate donations. Maintenance of Mercy Corpsโ leasing database and lease accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 842. Oversee and prepare journal entries (monthly, adjusting, recurring, high-risk) and balance sheet account reconciliations and maintain completeness and accuracy of account balances.Maintain ownership of the cost allocation process and work collaboratively with International Finance and Financial Planning and Analysis. Identify accounting research issues as needed. Support Accounts Payable as necessary and conduct the financial review of complex invoices. Provide accounting support for related entity operations, administrative departments, and inter-departmental data transfers. Assist with month-end financial statement preparation. Prepare variance analysis to ensure account balance reasonableness and accuracy. Support annual corporate financial audits by preparing audit schedules as assigned. Continually improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting processes. Create and maintain accounting documentation as assigned. Cross-train self and others to provide coverage for department leave (will be the main backup for payroll recording). Mentor and support junior accounting staff as needed. Provide accounting support to Mercy Corps stakeholders. Other duties as assigned.Supervisory Responsibility
None.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Assistant Controller
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in designing, monitoring, and evaluating our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
BA/S or equivalent experience in accounting or a related field is required. CPA or CPA candidate preferred.4+ years of experience in accounting and financial management and administration is required. Demonstrated knowledge of US not-for-profit GAAP, accounting systems, and accounting software is required. Strong Microsoft Office product skills are also required. Proven success in process improvement. Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills.Demonstrated capability in working collaboratively.
Success Factors
A successful Senior Accountant will have the ability to work independently and employ effective time management skills, manage priorities, and work effectively with a wide variety of individuals internationally. Additionally, they will have strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and be able to communicate financial information in a succinct, organized manner. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a positive approach, a strong commitment to teamwork and personal accountability, and the ability to be flexible and maintain a sense of humor.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position is located at our US Headquarters based in Portland, OR, or remote. Availability during business hours (PST) is required. There is no relocation allowance available for this position. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short-term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps' vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer, regardless of background, and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we can better leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the worldโs most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.
Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.
Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.