Company Description

THE PROGRAMME, BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE (EXD/PBF)

Within the Executive Directorate (EXD), the Programme, Budget and Financial Management Service (EXD/PBF), employs a workforce of approximately 115 staff who provide stewardship of the Organisation’s financial resources on behalf of the Secretary-General. The service is composed of six main business units: Accounting & Financial Support Division; Corporate Procurement Group; Engagement and Strategic Transformation Division; Programme of Work Management Division; Resource Management Systems Division; and Voluntary Contribution Management Group.

Within EXD/PBF, the Accounting & Financial Support Division (EXD/PBF/AFS) assures the proper accounting of all OECD budgetary decisions, executes all accounting transactions, manages the treasury and ensures that proper internal controls are carried out on a continuous basis in compliance with the OECD Financial Regulations and Internal Control Framework. The Division produces the Organisation’s financial statements, quarterly financial reports and is the main interlocutor with the Organisation’s external auditors. The Division has 4 main areas of work: treasury, expenditure accounting, revenue accounting and financial reporting.

Job Description

THE POSITION

EXD/PBF/AFS is looking for Corporate Accountants (full-time and part-time opportunities are available) who will work in collaboration with other divisions in EXD, with Directorates, Members, other stakeholders, and suppliers. Selected candidates will report to the Head of Section in either Expenditure, Treasury, Reporting or Revenue Recognition.

Main Responsibilities

Candidates should have relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:

Corporate Accounting (Expenditure, Revenue)

• Maintain accounts in the corporate accounting systems, and facilitate the closing of accounts (quarterly, year-end), following up with internal stakeholders as needed.
• Prepare, control, reconcile and input quarterly budgetary and accounting entries.
• Prepare and process expenditure related accounting transactions (payroll, supplier invoices, etc.) in corporate accounting systems.
• Manage automated payment identification workflows, and identify other incoming payments.
• Review, prepare, control and record revenue related invoices.
• Conduct weekly and monthly publication revenue accounting tasks and reconciliations.
• Assist in the production and preparation of supporting documentation of annual financial statements based on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), as necessary.
• Facilitate periodic external audit activities, including the preparation of supporting documentation and responses to queries as needed.
• Conduct data analysis, reviews and contribute to regular management reporting.
• Maintain compliance of accounting activities and transactions with applicable internal accounting rules and procedures.

Treasury operations

• Control bank reconciliations between the Organisation’s accounting records (SAP) and OECD bank accounts.
• Provide information and guidance to Directorates on payment methods, including electronic fund transfers and cash orders.
• Prepare payment orders and ensure follow-up and rectification of payment issues.
• Prepare and verify payments in foreign currency.
• Implement proper control procedures in order to minimise risks such as fraud and losses.
• Assist in monitoring bank fees and identify opportunities to renegotiate fees and conditions.
• Facilitate other treasury related operations as necessary.

Candidates should also have relevant experience in the following areas:

Reporting and Communications

• Contribute to data management, analysis and reporting on financial information, including supporting the preparation of strategic and/or analytical reporting for senior management.

• Maintain and update finance related guidelines, policies, manuals and procedures as necessary.
• Provide internal and external stakeholders with timely, high-quality comprehensive and accurate advice and guidance on financial management and related processes and procedures.
• Contribute to Financial System user training initiatives.
• Develop and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders within the Organisation.
• Oversee other duties and provide back-up support for team members as needed

Automation and Digitalisation

• Automation and digital development: actively participate in the definition, design and implementation of the automation of accounting processes, as well as the development, design and implementation of related internal controls.
• Actively participate in SAP improvement projects and other internal financial systems, in collaboration with the Financial Systems Team and other stakeholders. 

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• A university degree in accounting, business administration, finance, engineering or any related fields.
• A professional certification in finance/accounting domain (e.g. chartered accountant or equivalent) would be desirable.

Professional Background

• At least three years’ practical and relevant experience in financial management, accounting or equivalent.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with commitment to service and teamwork.
• Analytical and technical accounting skills.
• Flexibility and ability to cope with conflicting requests and to meeting strict deadlines.
• Proven experience in the development of accounting automation processes and digitalisation projects would be an advantage.
• Proven ability to seek innovative solutions to problems and project management.
• Ability to propose alternatives to reduce operational risk, increase efficiency and customer service through the use of new technologies.
• Experience working in an international and multicultural environment would be an advantage.

Tools

• Very good command of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and financial and administrative systems including large integrated accounting systems (SAP).
• Knowledge of SAP(FI and or FM) or similar ERP systems would be a definite advantage.

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 1); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 1); Achieve Results (Level 1); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 1).
• There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the other.

Additional Information

Contract Duration 

• Two-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal. 

What the OECD offers  

• Monthly full-time base salary starting from 4 888 EUR plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.  

• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.   

• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.  

• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.  

This vacancy will close on 10 December 2023 midnight (CEST).

Selection Process 

For retained candidates, written tests/video-recorded interviews are foreseen in January and panel interviews are planned for February. 

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.  

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.