Overview
The IPSAS Specialist reports to the Chief of Financial Statements and UNBOA Relations, responsible for efficient financial reporting and providing accurate, thoroughly researched, and documented financial policies compliant with accounting standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain financial reporting standards compliant to IPSAS standards.
- Support development of IPSAS compliant financial statements and management reports.
- Implement and operationalize new IPSAS standards and updates.
- Analyze IPSAS exposure drafts and published standards, assess impact on business processes and ERP systems, and recommend appropriate course of action.
- Coordinate comments on exposure drafts and other papers issued by IPSASB.
- Review existing and new business processes for compliance to IPSAS and coordinate with process owners for necessary improvements.
- Actively monitor and implement changes in accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
- Liaise with external auditors on audit queries related to accounting and reporting and compliance to accounting standards and UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
- Update and maintain policy documents on financial reporting and recording of corporate financial investments.
- Exercise periodic monitoring over transactions and account balances to ensure recording and reporting in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and IPSAS policies on financial instruments and other applicable Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions.
- Review and assess agreements for financial instruments and equity deals and devise accounting treatments in compliance to IPSAS and UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
- Provide specialist support in establishing of necessary processes for derivatives valuations, hedge accounting and application of impairment models.
- Take a proactive approach in identifying issues related to data quality and liaise with related parties in the organization to ensure timely and necessary corrections.
- Maintain a log of issues identified, analyze data and draw a holistic action plan to improve processes and establish necessary controls based on lessons learned.
- Contribute to developing and maintaining a strong control environment around financial reporting and the integrity of data used for preparation of corporate financial statements.
- Develop training materials and guidance on relevant IPSAS standards.
- Conduct, webex and virtual trainings to relevant personnel and business community.
- Develop IPSAS awareness informative contents for internal communication.
- Become a subject matter expert for the Corporate Financial Reporting requirements, and IPSAS standards.
- Support business process owners in the development of training materials through a review of the contents for technical IPSAS accuracy for topics assigned.
- Collaborate and communicate with UNOPS departments in HQ and field on a regular basis.
Required Experience
- 7 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management or a related field.
- 5 years of relevant experience with a Master's Degree (or equivalent) in any of the above disciplines.
- Relevant experience is defined as working experience within an international environment in the areas of financial reporting, audit and accounting.
- A thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is required.
- Demonstrated experience in interpretation of international accounting standards and preparation of financial statements is required.
- Experience in areas of Financial Instruments and specialized knowledge in financial instruments (IPSAS 41, IFRS 9, IPSAS 47/48, IFRS 15) and their practical application is considered as a strong asset.
- Excellent computer skills and ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely is highly desirable.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management or a related field is required.
- Master's Degree (or equivalent) in any of the above disciplines is required.
- Professional certification in accounting (CA, CPA, ACCA, ACA, etc.) or equivalent is required.
