Accounting Assistant

CGIAR has an ambitious agenda to deliver science and innovation and advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems to deliver diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets, and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality.

The Accounting Services team is responsible for ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, accurately recording all financial transactions, managing accounts payable and receivable to ensure prompt payments and collections, optimizing cash liquidity and cash flow, preparing comprehensive financial statements and statutory reports, and maintaining and improving accounting systems to ensure efficient data processing and reporting.

Reporting to the Accounting Officer, the Accounting Assistant plays a key role within the accounting team, responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and processing transactions pertaining to bookkeeping and accounts receivable.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee, monitor and verify System Organization shared services and hosting activities invoicing and other CGIAR inter-center accounts receivables transactions.
• Follow up on outstanding receivables and reconcile discrepancies, maintain an up-to-date cash book for efficient bank reconciliations, record and update transactions in relevant systems and databases, and update the General Ledger (GL) with receipts from clients in a timely manner.
• Prepare monthly accruals, prepayments, and payroll costs journals.
• Review, verify and process VAT compliance processes, including exemption, reimbursements, and reconciliation, and make recommendations on exceptional cases to supervisor; prepare bank and other accounts reconciliations and reclassify expenses according to established procedures.
• Propose improvements to accounting guidelines, systems, and processes for enhanced operational efficiency and internal controls.
• Respond to queries related to accounts receivable status promptly and professionally.
• Escalate accounts receivable issues to the supervisor for appropriate action.
• Foster collaborative teamwork and communication within the Unit and across the CGIAR System and support knowledge and capacity-building initiatives to enhance service delivery quality.
• Collaborate with Digital and Data teams to resolve system breakdowns and implement improvements in accounts receivable management.
• Prepare monthly revenue recognition journals and management accounts under the Accounting Officer’s oversight.
• Provide data, information, and reports, including for preparation of financial management reports and year-end processes, for internal and external audits related to accounts receivable, and prepare and send monthly statements to clients/Centers.
• Identify, communicate, and manage risks associated with accounting activities in alignment with organizational objectives.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as CA, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent is preferred.
• Proven starter level experience in accounts receivable, general accounting, or a similar role within a reputable organization.
• Experience in bank reconciliations and VAT compliance.
• Experience in account reconciliations and adjusting journals.
• Mid to advanced user of Unit 4 ERP or other Accounting ERP system.
• Familiarity with other ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics) used for financial transactions and reporting is an advantage.
• Previous experience in an international organization or multicultural environment is an advantage.

Key Competences:

• Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance standards.
• Mission & Values Orientation: Demonstrates alignment with organizational values, acts with integrity, and takes accountability for achieving organizational objectives.
• Stakeholder Service Orientation: Ability to understand and address internal and external stakeholders' needs related to accounts payable and banking processes.
• Initiative: Proactive approach to identifying and implementing process improvements in accounts receivable functions.
• Collaboration and Influence: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively within a team and influence stakeholders to ensure smooth accounts receivable and general accounting operations.
• Decision Making: Capable of making timely and informed decisions in alignment with organizational policies and procedures.

Languages:

• Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken.
• A working knowledge of an additional language such as Spanish, French, or Arabic is an advantage.

The successful candidate will be employed in Montpellier, France by the CGIAR System Organization.

The CGIAR System Organization is an equal opportunity employer and offers competitive compensation with favorable taxation arrangements in France and, subject to eligibility, comprehensive employee benefits comprising extensive insurance coverage, a retirement plan, an education grant, and relocation support at the start of the appointment and upon conclusion of appointment for staff members and eligible dependents. All benefits are denominated and paid in Euros.

System Organization appointments are typically for a fixed term of three years, with a possibility of renewal subject to effective performance, operational needs, and funding.