Accounting and Audit Manager

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks Accounting and Audit Manager

About Asylum Access

Asylum Access works alongside forcibly displaced people as they seek safety, dignity, and the opportunity to shape their own futures. Through legal empowerment, policy advocacy, and collaboration to improve global systems, we support refugees as they assert their rights—to live in safety, move freely, work legally, and access education. Our work aims to contribute to sustainable, rights-based solutions that respect autonomy and honor refugees’ ability to make decisions about their own lives.

Our work is rooted in partnership. Asylum Access is a global team and a family of locally-led civil society organizations across Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations are primarily staffed and led by people from the communities where we work, and our relationships with clients and partners are grounded in mutual trust, respect, and accountability. Globally, we collaborate with institutions and allies to help strengthen systems and policies so they better uphold the rights of refugees. Through our work on rights and governance, we work to support lasting systemic change that helps shift power toward refugees and their communities.

Department Description

The Finance and Accounting Department is responsible for planning, organizing, controlling and

monitoring financial resources with a view to achieve organizational goals and the financial

integrity of the organization with a view to produce high-quality financial reports.

Position Description

The Accounting and Audit Manager leads the org-wide Accounting Department to achieve its mission in maintaining the integrity of accounting data and production of high-quality financial reports. The Accounting and Audit Manager is responsible for the day-to-day accounting for the headquarters’ financial transactions; developing, implementing and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and maintaining and continuously improving the system of financial controls; including general accounting, investment accounting, subgranting, grantmaking, tax-exempt compliances, banking, payroll, and benefits. This staff member will work directly with headquarters (HQ), and closely with Asylum Access Mexico (AAMX), Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) and Asylum Access Malaysia (AAM) staff.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

General Accounting and Reporting (65%)

• Responsible for the HQ’s accounting activities related to cash & cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, inventories and fixed assets, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, travel and other advances, accrued liabilities, revenue, general ledger, leases and compliance. And responsible for supervising the related activities for AAMX, AAM and AAT. 
• Perform various accounting cycle functions such as bank reconciliations, accrual accounting of liabilities and prepayments and accounting of intercompany transactions. Accountable for backing up all HQ accounting transactions recorded in the accounting system on a real time basis.
• Ensure accuracy and completion of all aspects of finance/accounting operations, such as banking, capital asset management, payables, receivables and net assets for internal and external reporting purposes.

• Accountable for monthly, quarterly and annual accounting closing by directing the implementation of an effective period close management system for the organization. Prepare monthly journal entries and accounting corrections to ensure accurate accounting records and reconcile general ledger for the organization.

• Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls. Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices, improve the finance & accounting department’s overall policy and procedure manual.

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards. Update org-wide chart of accounts, vendor lists and accounting system reports.

• Work closely with cross-department heads to identify information management and reports to be provided by accounting.

• Support the calculation of cash flow projections for the organization and preparation of the cash flow statement for an effective management of cash balances.

 Audit, Tax Compliance (20%)

• Manage the annual audit conducted in the US from beginning to end by liaising with auditors, responding to their questions and preparing corrective actions to audit findings, working with cross-department heads and national-level accounting heads coordinating the preparation of audit schedules and finalizing the audit process.

• Accountable for internal audits of all subsidiaries on a quarterly basis and ensuring that actions are corrected for identified findings or errors.

• Assist in the preparation of tax returns, including IRS 990, NY 500 and California filings. Complies with all state and federal filing requirements on behalf of the organization.

• Oversees national-level external audits to ensure completion of the process prior to the org-wide audit conducted in the US.

• Accountable for the reconciliation of HQ records to quarterly payroll tax returns: Form 941.
• Responsible for implementing the auditor’s recommendations. 

Additional Responsibilities (15%)

• Assist in the administration of the accounting system.
• Develops and implements a continuous financial and accounting training program for staff at all levels of the organization, and measures the impact of that training in terms of improvements and compliance. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Director of Finance and Operations of Asylum Access

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. CPA certification or equivalent;
• Demonstrated knowledge of US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) for  Nonprofits;

• 5 years related accounting experience in private corporation/public charity settings;
• Experience using a computerized accounting system, specifically Microsoft Dynamics and solid knowledge of MS Office applications (Excel proficiency a must);
• Bilingual in Spanish and English;
• Strong initiative and ability to take ownership of projects, management multiple deadlines, and work effectively with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy;

• Cultural competence and intelligence, ability to work in a diverse, multicultural workforce;
• Comfortable working individually and in concert with positions across the various functions and levels of the organization and with external partners, recognizing and valuing the need to adapt and respect other cultures and languages;

• Strong time management and organizational skills. Able to prioritize work effectively and adapt to multiple demands;

• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Approaches work with openness and humility, adapting thoughtfully to changing contexts while remaining grounded in shared values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in fund accounting;
• Experience in managing the consolidation of accounting books;
• Experience in leading an organization’s audit with multiple subsidiaries;
• Experience in the administration of accounting systems;
• Experience in providing training to non financial staff members of an organization;
• Prior experience working with refugee-led organizations or involvement in community-led initiatives is an asset.

Salary and Benefits

The position comes with a well-paying nonprofit salary based on location, experience, and a

robust benefits package including paid time off, development and healthcare funds.

Hours and Location of Work 

The Accounting and Audit Manager position will be based in Mexico and work remotely as a HQ staff through an employment agreement with AAMX. Candidates should be aware that flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to take calls and manage projects involving international colleagues.