Terms of Reference

1. Title :Asset Accountant P3, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 6 months

Duty Station: New York

Supervisor: Chief Accountant / Accounts Section / DFAM

2.Background/Purpose of the post:

The Accounts Section of the UNICEF’s Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) have seconded the asset accountant to the Shared Services Center Project for 6 months. For the same duration, Accounts Section is seeking a temporary assistance to back fill the functions of theAsset Accountant as well as to ensure that the day-to-day activities for the Asset Accounting Unit run smoothly until the return of the staff member from the project assignment.

The post is technical and therefore Asset Accountant is expected to apply skills and knowledge within IPSAS and UNICEF financial rules and regulations and policies and procedures. Ability to interpretguidelines and utilize accounting judgment is critical. Routine work is expected to be done independently with minimum guidance. Complex work (e.g. problem areas, new scenarios and issues) isto be discussed beforehand with the Chief of Accounts and submitted for her review upon completion of proposal for accounting treatment.

3.Major duties and responsibilities:

The Asset Accountant, under supervision of the Chief Accountant, will be responsible for the key aspects of accounting for property and equipment, intangible assets, other assets, and property and equipment leases:

Property and equipment, intangible assets:

  • Collect capital expenditure information, analysenature and review supporting documentation to determine eligibility for capitalization asconstruction and development assets;
  • Monitor acquisition and disposal of equipment, software and licenses to compliance with the policy;
  • Review results of equipment physical verification, conduct necessary follow up and accounting adjustments
  • Obtain information and perform accounting for donated equipment
  • Perform impairment review where indicators exist and calculatenecessary accounting adjustments for impairment losses or reversals
  • Reconcile of property, equipment and intangible assetssubledgers to General Ledger

Premises and equipment leases

  • Review and determine accounting treatment and classificationofpremises and equipment leases

Other assets

  • Ensure completion of timely review of prepayments requests (downpayment requests, parked invoices) with respect of appropriate modality used, contract, amounts.
  • Monitorbalances and clearing requests of divisions located in New York
  • Review and post bills for staff on loan to other UN organizations

Establish effective communication with offices outside of NYHQ, NYHQ divisions

  • Provide accounting guidance and SAP technical advice to country offices by email
  • Review of financial closure submissions by country offices, provide feedback, perform necessary accounting adjustments/corrections

Supervision and oversight

  • Supervise staff, establish priorities for the unit, assess progress and provide guidance to ensure achievement of objectives
  • Prepare timely and informative reports and schedules on a regular and ad hoc basis

4. Qualifications, requirements:

Required:

  • CPA, ACCA, CAor advanced University degree in accounting or related field
  • Minimum of 5 years of accounting experience, preferably in area of property, plant and equipment, property leases and intangible assets
  • Ability to learn quickly
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally
  • Strong data analysis skills (e.g. independent research, analysis, comparisons of large data sets, advanced use of Microsoft Excel (VLookup, Pivots, etc).
  • Ability to deliver results within tight deadlines
  • Supervising experience
  • Fluency in English
  • SAP experience

Desired:

  • Working knowledge of a Spanish and/or French

How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form, (which can be downloaded from UNICEF’s website at NYHQ-DFAM-Recruitment at ith subject line “Asset Accountant P3 TA” by 10 April, 2015, 5:00pm EST