Finance Specialist At International Potato Center

The International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for a Finance Specialist with excellent organizational skills, who will be managing CIP’s fixed assets, ensuring their accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements. This role involves close collaboration with various departments to manage asset disposal, depreciation, and overall asset management practices, thereby optimizing asset utilization and supporting strategic decision-making.

About CIP

CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research organization with a global mandate to conduct research on potatoes, sweetpotatoes, Andean root and tuber crops, and sustainable management of natural resources. CIP’s vision is to contribute from its areas of expertise to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular those goals that relate to poverty, hunger, child and maternal mortality, and sustainable development. CIP has its headquarters in Lima, Peru with staff and activities in locations across Africa, Asia and Latin America. CIP, a member of the One CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. One CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis, and it is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.

About the role

• Fixed Asset Management:
  • Supervise the maintenance of accurate records for all fixed assets, including registration, depreciation, and disposal.
  • Conduct surprise physical inventories to verify the existence and condition of fixed assets in different country offices.
  • Reconcile Country Fixed Asset Register with CIP Master File and train staff on using the fixed assets module in CIP ERP.
  • Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and CIP policies related to fixed assets.
  • Develop standard procedures for the correct management of fixed assets across various CIP offices.
• Disposal:
  • Facilitate the disposal of obsolete or surplus assets in accordance with CIP policies and regulatory requirements.
  • Depreciation and Amortization.
  • Monitor changes in asset useful lives and salvage values, adjusting depreciation schedules as necessary.
  • Prepare and analyze depreciation forecasts and budget projections.
• Reporting and Analysis:
  • Generate regular reports on fixed asset activities, including additions, disposals, and depreciation expenses.
  • Provide insights and analysis on fixed asset performance, utilization, and return on investment.
  • Collaborate with financial analysts and management to support decision-making processes related to capital investments and asset management strategies.
• Compliance and Audit Support:
  • Assist internal and external auditors in conducting fixed asset audits and compliance reviews.
  • Ensure adherence to IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) regarding fixed asset accounting and reporting.
  • Implement and maintain internal controls to safeguard fixed assets and prevent fraud or misappropriation.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA or CFA designation preferred.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in fixed asset accounting, preferably in a corporate or large organizational setting.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., SAP, U4) and Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and standards governing fixed assets, depreciation, and amortization.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and identify trends or discrepancies.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on accuracy and precision in recordkeeping and reporting.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP works with partners in over 20 countries to improve diets and incomes of poor people in Africa, Asia and Latin America through scientific research, innovation, and capacity strengthening.
• CIP’s programs seek to strengthen broader agri-food systems to generate economic, social and nutritional benefits for farmers, enterprises and consumers emphasizing the priorities of women and youth in particular.
• CIP emphasizes the synergies between social and bio-physical sciences as a core strategy for making breakthroughs in our understanding of complex development challenges in food and agriculture and for our ability to overcome these.

What are we offering?

• Excellent working environment.
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.
• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.