The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

The Team

Global Financial & Accounting Services (GFAS) is a growing team with an increasing breadth of responsibility. The foundation continues to grow in its global footprint and in the complexity of its work. The GFAS team is scaling up to support this important work. The team’s vision is to provide innovative and scalable global business solutions in accounting, tax, payroll, treasury, procurement, and financial operations while safeguarding the reputation of the foundation and our related entities, with the highest standards of integrity and operational excellence.
GFAS is one team within the Finance & Resource Planning division at the foundation and an important part of the operations function. Operations supports and enables the six program teams to make investments and to run effectively and efficiently. As a division, Finance & Resource Planning employs approximately 220 FTE’s. The GFAS team is significant (50+ FTE’s), and is responsible for financial reporting processes, technical and advisory services, internal controls, vendor due diligence and the accounting functions at the foundation.

Your Role

The Senior Technical Advisor is a leader, problem solver, trusted business partner, and mentor. Manages and coordinates complex GFAS work activities that are highly visible internally and externally. The Senior Technical Advisor reports to the Deputy Director, Global Accounting, Financial Controls & Tax.

While this position has no direct reports, this position works in a highly matrixed environment and works closely with the following internal and external stakeholders:

• Internally: Regularly works closely with GFAS staff and members of other foundation operations teams. Interacts with GFAS leadership and executive leadership.

• Externally: Ability to network and share best practices with other peer organizations. Work closely with external advisors to research complex transactions and issues.

* This position will work with countries around the globe so must be comfortable working within all time zones. There will be the flexibility to build your workday hours. Because of this, must have extreme comfort level working autonomously.

What You’ll Do

• Cross-Foundation Projects (~80% of the role)

  • Represent the GFAS team as a technical expert on cross-foundation projects where accounting and financial reporting related to regulatory requirements are at the heart of the matter. Guide project teams by clarifying impacts and outlining requirements by engaging with GFAS subject matter experts in payroll, tax, accounting, controls, procurement, insurance, treasury, accounts payable, and employee incurred expenses. Collaborate with GFAS team members to arrive at a shared understanding of the impact to their respective areas. Examples of projects include but are not limited to: evaluating and implementing changes to regional office structures to expand permissible activities and setting up new entities/offices/remote work locations.

  • Partner with GFAS team members and IT to find innovative solutions to challenges in global financial regulatory reporting. Examples include: reporting financials under both US GAAP and IFRS, impacts of currency conversions, and determining the most efficient and effecting financial reporting systems.

  • Provide functional expertise to operations and program teams on complex investments, new accounting and financial reporting requirements, and global employment of foundation staff, including related business risks and potential mitigation.

  • Research, analyze and provide recommendations on accounting, regulatory financial reporting, and financial operational implications of domestic and international legal entity structures.

  • Coordinate and provide direction to project managers on the GFAS portion of cross-foundation projects, including communications with GFAS leadership on project status and resource needs.

• Research & Analysis (~20% of the role)

  • Research new and complex issues resulting from changes related to foundation entity structures, global footprint, and other changes impacting the GFAS team.

  • Develop tools to streamline guidance and organize research information.

  • Document the impacts of cross-foundation projects on the financial operations of the foundation and its related entities.

Your Experience

• Advanced degree with 10+ years of experience in accounting and regulatory financial reporting. Previous experience working at or closely with the foundation, particularly the GFAS team, is strongly preferred.

• Strong financial and analytical background with focus on skills that facilitate decision making.

• Experience with researching, setting up and maintaining accounting and regulatory financial reporting obligations in and outside of the United States with both non-profit and for-profit entities.

• Builds strong relationships and communicates effectively with a variety of global constituents inside and outside the organization.

• Knowledge of financial principles and processes, with ability to navigate complex environments.

• Demonstrate excellent leadership, intellectual quickness, creativity, curiosity, discipline, and resourcefulness.

• Understanding of financial operations and willingness to learn more about the functional areas.

• Understanding of operational processes and policies at the foundation and how they support the programmatic work.

• Experience planning and managing projects of high importance and visibility.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial concepts to partners with diverse backgrounds, including leadership, program staff, and other foundation operational resources.

• Excellent communication and relationship building skills.

• Strong initiative, organizational skills, and ability to work autonomously and cross-functionally while remaining flexible to changing tasks, priorities, and roles and responsibilities.

• Knowledge of US GAAP and IFRS preferred.

• Project management and negotiation skills.

• Models professional courage– engages in trust based debate, asks hard or unpopular questions, and is willing to say no.

• Intellectually curious with solution orientation and the ability to identify new ways of working.

• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to educate and influence peers and leaders in the organization on the critical financial operation implications of a new initiative.

• Experience with Dynamics 365, Power BI and/or Management Reporter preferred.

*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

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The salary range for this role is $151,200 to $226,800 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $164,700 to $247,100 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.