Accountant

Human Rights Watch, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Human Rights Watch seeks an Accountant to support the Finance Division by managing global bank reconciliations across 27 entities and multiple bank accounts. The role partners with the Global Accounting team and local Operations Administrators to ensure GAAP and IFRS compliance for US and international entities.

Based in a US office (preferably New York or Washington, DC), this full-time position reports to the Associate Director in New York and requires periodic in-office work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting/Finance/Business.
• Minimum 3 years of accounting or nonprofit finance experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare 80 monthly bank reconciliations across 22 offices and adjust accounts per GAAP/IFRS guidelines.
• Collaborate with Operations Administrators to resolve reconciliation issues and multi-currency discrepancies.
• Prepare and post journal entries related to bank activity.
• Train staff on bank pre-reconciliations when needed.
• Ensure timely closings and accurate GL analysis (Fixed Assets, depreciation).
• Maintain Global Fixed Assets register and asset capitalization/tracking across entities.
• Support year-end close processes and assist with accounts payable as needed.

Skills

Bank reconciliations

GAAP & IFRS

Multi-currency

Journal entries

Excel

Internal controls

Time management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business

Tools

NetSuite

Salesforce

SharePoint

OneDrive

Job description

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Accountant
Finance Division
Multiple Locations Considered
Application Deadline: October 11th, 2026

Human Rights Watch(“HRW”) is seeking an Accountant to support the Finance Division by facilitating our global bank reconciliation processes. HRW has 27 entities and branches outside of the US and a portfolio of multiple bank accounts, and this position will support both the Global Accounting team and the local Operations Administrators.

The Finance Division is led by the Chief Financial Officer, supported by the Global Controller, and is responsible for providing financial management, implementing financial strategy and maintaining the fiscal integrity of Human Rights Watch (HRW) through each of its entities. In this role, you will work with the Finance & Operations Directors, as well as the Assistant Directors and the Revenue Manager.

This full-time position will be based in one of HRW’s US offices, preferably New York or Washington DC and will report to the Associate Director, based in New York. The successful candidate will need to work from the office on a needed basis.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare 80 monthlybank reconciliations across 22 Offices internationallyand adjustmentsto theindividual bank accountsbased on GAAP and IFRS guidelinesfor US and international entities;
• Partner with a team of 17 OperationsAdministratorsonoutstanding reconciliation issues and help them when issues or discrepancies arise, which will require detailed understanding of core accounting principles and experience reconciling complex multi-currency discrepancies across global accounts.;
• Prepare and post journal entries related to bank activity;
• Work with Operations Administrators and when needed, provide training on bank pre-reconciliations.
• Ensure timely completion of reconciliations in line with close deadlines;
• Balance Sheet and Income Statement GL account analysis including but not limited to accumulated depreciation, depreciation expenses, assets and other GL expense accounts to ensure correct data categorization for Fixed Assets
• Maintain and update the Global Fixed Assets register, record asset additions, disposals, transfers and reclassifications;
• Liaise with IT in tracking capital work in progress and ensure timely capitalization;
• Preparation of all depreciation schedules for different entities for each of the local audits as requested including but not limited to the year-end global fixed assets schedule;
• Running and posting monthly depreciation in FAM (Fixed Assets Module) in NetSuite
• Reconcile FAM to the BS, Income Statement and Global schedule for external auditors.
• Actas the main contact with the auditorsconcerning fixed assets questions.
• Managethe updating and proper archiving of all data and relevant systemssuch as Salesforce, SharePoint, OneDrive;
• Support with quarter and year-end close processes;
• Help with the creation of an AP tracker (expenses paid);
• Assist with accounts payable and be the backup person for the accounting officer;
• Partnerwith theAssociate Director to provide advice onprocess and internal control improvement opportunities, as needed;
• Assist with other administrative duties and projects as needed; and
• Perform other tasks as may be required

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent working experience in Accounting, Finance, Business or equivalent qualification or work experience is required.

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of experience in accounting or non-profit finance is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

• Experience working within an organization with a complex structure across multiple global locations is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of aspects of general accounting, including journal entries, bank reconciliations, account analysis, general understanding of accounting principles, and other accounting functions, is
• Experience in general ledger systems, policies, and internal controls related to accounting and finance is required.
• Proficiency in a computer-based accounting system and Excel is required; prior experience with not-for-profit software such as NetSuite is highly
• Analytical, problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment are required.
• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks while maintaining attention to detail are required.
• Interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate well at all levels of the organization and with staff at remote locations are required.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English is required.
• Prior work experience in nonprofit/NGO financial operations is

Other: Candidates should possess valid US work authorization and should not require sponsorship in the future; HRW cannot guarantee the ability to sponsor work authorization for this role.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. The salary range for this role is USD 80,000 – 85,000.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.