Cost Accountant, FIN

The Organizational Setting

The Finance Branch is responsible for managing the financial resources of the Organization, developing and applying budgetary, accounting and financial policies, procedures and controls. The Branch also plays a key role in the custody and distribution of financial resources, the monitoring of expenditures, and the strengthening of ongoing compliance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The Accounting Services Section (ASV) and Financial Services Section (FSV) are the two sections under the Finance Branch.

The incumbent will be a member of the Financial Sustainability – Cost Accounting and Efficiency and Effectiveness Pilot Programme project and will support multiple financial sustainability initiatives at ICAO. This role is essential to ICAO’s successful operationalization of its Cost Recovery Policy, addressing the critical need for robust service costing as the foundation of effective cost recovery. The position will establish the foundational costings that enable ICAO to implement sustainable cost recovery mechanisms aligned with UN-wide standards and best practices

The incumbent reports to the Finance Specialist and does not directly supervise any staff, and within delegated authority, the Cost Accountant will be responsible for carrying out the functions as described.

Major duties and Responsibilities

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

Develops and maintains service costings and schedules of rates and fees to support the implementation of ICAO's Cost Recovery Framework, achieving results such as:

• Perform detailed costing analyses for services and activities subject to cost recovery using ICAO's approved costing methodology and cost model.
• Collect, validate and analyse financial and operational data, including resource requirements, service volumes and cost drivers, to support service costing exercises.
• Calculate and maintain standard costs, rates and fees for cost recovery services and prepare supporting documentation.
• Review cost allocations, cost drivers and costing assumptions to ensure accuracy, completeness and consistency of service costings.
• Conduct consultations with service providers and stakeholders to review, refine and validate service costings and charging approaches.
• Maintain schedules of rates and fees and supporting calculations to reflect changes in costs, service delivery models and operational requirements.
• Conduct detailed costing exercises for services, activities and organizational functions to establish and maintain baseline costs and support ongoing cost recovery and cost management initiatives.

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

Analyzes business processes, data availability and system requirements required to operationalize cost recovery processes, achieving results such as:

• Assess the availability, quality and completeness of financial and operational data required to support cost recovery calculations, reporting and billing activities.
• Conduct gap analyses to identify missing, unreliable or unavailable data required for the implementation of cost recovery services.
• Analyze existing business processes, financial procedures and system capabilities to determine requirements for operationalizing cost recovery activities.
• Document business, functional and data requirements required to support cost recovery within the ERP environment and related systems.
• Liaise with ICT teams, system specialists and business stakeholders to identify data sources, validate requirements and support implementation activities.
• Review and refine requirements, procedures and data specifications based on stakeholder feedback, testing results and operational experience.

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

Performs cost recovery budgeting, financial analysis and cost accounting activities to support management decision-making, achieving results such as:

• Develop cost recovery budgets, forecasts and financial analyses to support the triennial budget process and related planning activities.
• Calculate and maintain indirect cost recovery rates, allocation methodologies and cost recovery parameters.
• Analyze financial and operational data to assess cost recovery performance, identify variances and support corrective actions where required.
• Conduct detailed cost analyses of services, activities, business processes and organizational functions to support efficiency and effectiveness initiatives.
• Identify cost drivers, cost allocation opportunities and areas for process improvement through analysis of financial and operational data.
• Prepare working papers, financial schedules, reports and supporting analyses for management, Council documentation and other stakeholder requirements.
• Maintain documentation supporting budget assumptions, costing methodologies, rate calculations and analytical findings.
• Provide technical advice and support to service providers and other stakeholders on service costing, cost accounting and cost recovery methodologies.
• Develop and maintain costing templates, procedures, user guides and reference materials.
• Deliver training sessions and workshops on cost recovery processes, costing methodologies and related financial procedures.
• Respond to stakeholder enquiries and provide guidance on the interpretation and application of cost recovery policies and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve costing processes, tools and supporting documentation.

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Provides technical advice and develops guidance and training materials to support the consistent application of cost recovery and cost accounting practices, achieving results such as:

Function 5 (incl. Expected results)

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential

An advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent) in accounting, finance, business administration or related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience in accounting and finance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A professional accounting designation (e.g. CA, CPA, CGA, CMA, or equivalent).

Desirable

Courses or certifications in cost accounting.

Professional Experience

Essential

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial management, accounting, budget, or related area.
• Experience in determining product costs and prices using cost accounting methodology.
• Experience in drafting procedures, and documenting process flows.
• Experience with process reviews, systems implementation activities, documentation and financial internal controls.
• Expert-level experience with Microsoft Excel
• Experience with UN system financial regulations, rules and practices.
• Experience with cost recovery at a large, international organization.

Desirable

Languages

Essential

Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English.

Desirable

A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish)

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Knowledge of office automation and computerized accounting systems; an aptitude for figure work requiring accuracy. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Conditions of Employment

It should be noted that this post is to be filled on a temporary basis for one year.

ICAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Secretary General and may be assigned to any activities or offices of the Organization, in accordance with the provisions of the ICAO service code.

ICAO staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants. In this connection, ICAO has incorporated the 2013 Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service into the ICAO Personnel Instructions.

ICAO offers an attractive benefit package to its employees in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

The statutory retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service after 1 January 2014 is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

(*) Post Adjustment is subject to change.

How to apply

Interested candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit: ICAO Careers website.

Notice to Candidates

ICAO does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the selection process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ICAO are fraudulent and should be disregarded.