Location: Any LAC Country Office (Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Bolivia)

The International Accounting Junior Officer supports the International Accounting Lead with the accounting and reporting of international country operations (13 Country Offices). The role provides advanced technical accounting and accounting system support to WWF US Country Offices (COs.)  

The role coordinates the month-end close process with the COs and performs the Headquarters (HQ) accounting tasks to ensure that each office closes their books on time. The International Accounting Junior Officer serves as a point of contact to answer questions from the COs during the month related to the accounting and accounting software and coordinates with the HQ IT  team for more complex matters. The International Accounting Junior Officer verifies that all COs accurately complete the required deliverables due to HQ for each month’s closing.  The role reviews certain key reconciliations. 

This role may provide additional accounting support to certain offices, as needed. The  International Accounting Junior Officer supports the International Accounting Lead to prepare  for, document, and train CO accountants on organizational policies and procedures related to  accounting matters and coordinates with offices to fulfill external audit requests. 

Key Responsibilities 

Coordinates Month End Close  

• Serves as a point of contact for accounting related issues for the COs.

• Facilitates the resolution of accounting system integration issues from COs.

• Submits any necessary journal entries in HQ accounting system resulting from integration issues.

• Collects monthly bank reconciliation files and accounting detail schedules from each office and ensures they are completed by the COs.

• Communicates monthly close status updates to HQ IT department.

• Confirms that the country offices posted all journal entry batches in COs accounting system, completed the monthly bank reconciliation without variance, and closed the period in COs accounting system.

• Generates the monthly Trial Balance report from COs and HQ accounting systems for each office and retains it in central repository.

• Prepares and submits the monthly accounting journal entries and invoices in HQ accounting system for payroll employees.

• Completes reconciliation of intercompany ledgers in HQ accounting system.

• Reviews exchange rate gain/loss account and prepares any necessary journal entries in HQ accounting system.

Performs HQ Accounting Tasks 

• Conducts monthly reviews of CO bank account reconciliations to ensure accuracy.

• Monthly, reviews the accounting detail schedules for balance sheet accounts and recommends correcting actions when needed. Ensure that any correcting journal entries are prepared by COs by next month-end close.

• Quarterly, reviews the reconciliations between CO accounting system and HQ accounting system. Work closely with all offices to ensure that any variances are resolved within 30 days of receipt.

• Generates the accounting system reconciliation template during staff transitions and assists with the training on the reconciliation process as new team members are onboard.

• In collaboration with the International Accounting Lead, reviews the Trial Balance from each office and researches any inconsistencies. Coordinates meetings with country offices to discuss and resolve any inconsistencies, including preparing journal entries.

• Monitors the delivery dates for all required tasks and deliverables for all offices to highlight repeated delays and outstanding issues.

• Assist in the development of policy, procedures, and internal controls training documents and provides translation, as needed.

• Assists the International Accounting Lead with the scheduling, preparing materials, and follow-up for training on new policies or accounting standards.

• In collaboration with HQ IT and International Accounting Lead, performs necessary testing and coordination for accounting software enhancements and attends regularly scheduled meetings with software consultants.

• Monitors internal communication channel for the CO accountants, responding to questions and escalating as appropriate.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Audit 

• Maintains well organized files of required documents to comply with WWF policy and audit requests.

• In collaboration with the International Accounting Lead & US-based Donor Reporting team, collects requested information for the institutional and single audit from the country offices.

• Performs initial review of requested audit samples to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Behavioral Competencies

• Attention to Detail and Accountability - ensures accuracy in reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting across multiple international offices.
• Communication and Collaboration - fosters clear, respectful, and timely coordination with country offices, HQ accounting, and IT teams in both English and Spanish. Integrity and Trustworthiness - upholds ethical standards, confidentiality, transparency, and reliability in handling financial data and audit documentation.
• Adaptability and Courage - Demonstrates flexibility to adjust to changes in GAAP accounting standards and internal procedures. Is capable of successfully managing cultural and time differences in a remote environment and possesses the confidence to raise financial concerns or suggest process improvements.
• Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking – Identifies and evaluates the root causes of accounting discrepancies or operational challenges, proposing logical and efficient solutions.
• Self-Management and Proactivity - Organizes and prioritizes work effectively without constant direct supervision, taking the initiative to anticipate and complete critical tasks on time.

Skills and Abilities 

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or business is required; a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) or advanced Accounting certicate is highly desireable.

• Position requires at least 1-2 years of accounting experience. Experience working with multiple international field offices preferred.

• Excellent oral and written communications skills in Spanish and English is required.

• Excellent accounting, analytical, communication skills, and attention to detail.

• Ability to work well independently as well as to function effectively as a member of a diverse international team.

• Foster a team spirit and service orientation.

• Must work well in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in Excel and experience working in accounting software required.  Workday or Sage 300 experience must be a plus.

• Ability to interact, train, and communicate clearly with overseas staff on accounting and non-accounting matters.

• May require infrequent international travel to COs.

• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.

• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.

• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.

• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:

• Courage: We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it's needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.

• Integrity: We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts with science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.

• Respect: We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.

• Collaboration: We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.