The New Humanitarian is looking for a Finance Accountant

Finance Accountant

Our Accounting Assistant will be on maternity leave at the start of Oct 2026 for a few months and our Finance Analyst will go on 50% on 1 Apr 2027 for 2 months or more. Because of this, TNH is in need of a Finance Accountant to cover both roles at different time periods.

Location: Remote working from your country of residence

Overview

1 Sep 2026 to 28 Feb 2027 at 100% and 1 Mar 2027 to 30 Oct 2027 at 50%

The Finance Accountant as an Accounting Assistant is responsible for processing financial transactions in accordance with agreed policies and procedures, providing high-quality and service-oriented financial assistance to TNH’s globally dispersed team of staff, consultants and freelance journalists.

1 Apr 2027 to 31 May 2027 at 50% with possible extension 1 Jun 2027 to 30 Oct 2027 at 50%

The Finance Accountant as a Financial Analyst plays a key role in supporting the financial management, reporting, and decision-making processes of the organisation. The position is responsible for analysing financial data, preparing accurate and timely financial reports, monitoring financial performance, and providing insights that support strategic, operational, and resource allocation decisions. The role ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards, donor requirements, tax regulations, and statutory obligations across multiple jurisdictions. Working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners, the Financial Analyst translates complex financial information into meaningful analysis, supports budgeting and forecasting processes, and contributes to the development and continuous improvement of financial systems, controls, and reporting frameworks.

Purpose

A core responsibility of the role is the delivery of high-quality, service-oriented financial operations and reporting for The New Humanitarian's globally distributed workforce, including employees, consultants, and freelance journalists. This includes leading month-end and year-end close processes, preparing regular management accounts and financial analyses, donor financial reporting, and providing finance business partnering to budget holders and the Management Team. The Financial Analyst also supports the financial administration of the organisation's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, including coordination of payroll, statutory reporting, and office-related financial activities. Given TNH's international operating model, the role responsibilities include multi-country financial management, payroll coordination, donor compliance, and cross-border regulatory requirements, while actively contributing to the enhancement, standardisation, and streamlining of finance processes as the organisation evolves and grows.

Working Relationships

Reports To: Head of Finance, Administration and Compliance

Direct reports: None

Main Duties and Responsibilities as an Accounting Assistant

Payment Processing:

• Ensure control and monitoring of invoices, and commitments while providing proactive feedback and recommendations to the management team about payments.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies as well as with donor contracts and local rules and regulations, including but not limited to sanction checks.
• Ensure timely payment of invoices from consultants and freelancers.
• Control payments against contractual obligations.
• Support with other finance tasks as may be assigned.

Accounting:

• Manage day-to-day accounting, booking invoices and salaries, ensuring timely and accurate input of data into the accounting system.
• Record credit card transactions in a timely manner.
• Ensure diligent recording of all transactions to the proper account codes, department and donor codes to facilitate correct analysis for management.
• Interact with financial institutions and ensure all TNH accounts are regularly reconciled, on a monthly basis as a minimum.
• Securely maintain financial records and documentation in TNH’s archiving and accounting systems.
• Assist with the preparation and completion of project and annual Audits based on Swiss accounting standard RPC21; and liaise with auditors as required.
• Implement and follow-up on audit findings.

People Operations:

Provide back-up, as needed, to the Operations and Administration Assistant to:

• Prepare and issue standard contracts for global freelancers, ensuring quality control and compliance.
• Prepare inputs for the monthly payroll each month.
• Ensure timely payment of invoices from consultants and freelancers.
• Control payments against contractual obligations.
• Ensure expenses are processed and paid on time and in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Maintain and update TNH’s Employees Leave Tracker.

Office Management and General Administration:

Provide back-up, as needed, to the Operations and Administration Assistant to:

• Provide overall office management for the head office in Geneva, including liaising with the landlord and regie, and local Swiss authorities as necessary;
• Ensure that TNH staff in Geneva have the right set-up for their work, procuring office supplies, and ensuring the well-functioning of the office overall.
• Support the logistical organisation of team events, including venue selection and procurement, and value-for-money review.
• Support staff with travel logistics, including flights, visas, and accommodation.
• Organise and maintain TNH’s shared files, including contact databases, leave requests, policies, official correspondence from the authorities, contracts, and employee records.
• Monitor the office mailbox, respond to general inquiries, and flag correspondence that requires attention.
• Draft and/or format correspondence; prepare documents for approval and signature.
• Support other administrative matters, as required, including by the CEO and COO.

Main Responsibilities as a Finance Analyst :

Financial Grants Management:

• Prepare budgets for donor proposals
• Prepare financial reports for donors according to the various funding contracts
• Reply to donor’s financial queries and emails
• Maintain an overview of regular update of our income pipeline and donor funds cashflow
• Review donor contracts and ensure compliance with financial reporting requirements, including on matters of procurement and allocations
• Monitor expenditure to ensure commitments and payments are within the appropriate approved budget, and are allocated correctly in the accounting system. Perform reallocations as necessary.
• Respond to other requests as needed to ensure full compliance with all donor requirements

Accounting practice:

• Utilising Abacus as an accounting tool, ensure diligent recording of all transactions to the proper account codes, department and donor codes to facilitate correct analysis for management.
• Ensure all TNH accounts are regularly reconciled, on a monthly basis as a minimum.
• Securely maintain financial records and documentation in TNH’s archiving and accounting systems.
• Perform month end close every month

Financial Reporting:

• Prepare monthly budget vs actuals analysis reports
• Investigate any variances and perform reallocations as necessary
• Prepare Annual Budget and Quarterly Reforecast
• Arrange monthly meetings with budget holders of the various departments to discuss variances and spending.
• Provide recommendations on optimising processes and cost efficiencies

Multi-Country Payroll Payments:

• Manage multi-country payroll processes, ensuring accurate and timely payments.
• Collaborate with HR and payroll providers to address contract changes, tax implications, and legal requirements.

Risk Assessment:

• Assess financial risk associated with organization.
• Identify potential areas of concern and recommend risk mitigation strategies.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with tax and payroll regulations, Swiss accounting laws and international financial regulations.
• Prepare financial reports, and local compliance documents
• Assist in internal and external audits.

Strategic Support:

• Provide data-backed insights to senior management for strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with business units to optimize investments and cost structures.
• Provide support to the Finance and Administration Manager as second in charge and stand-in
• Step in when needed to assist the Finance team in completing tasks and meeting the Finance Team objectives

Special Projects:

• Facilitate the migration from the old accounting system to a new integrated system
• Facilitate finance innovation and continuous improvement projects.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance / Accounting, with professional certifications (e.g., CPS/Chartered Account, CFA, ACCA) or related field
• Proficiency in Excel, and accounting software such as the Swiss Abacus Accounting software
• Experience in Donor / Client reporting in accordance with contract stipulations
• Experience in financial reporting, budget management, international payments management, and Financial Risk & Compliance
• Fluent in English (business writing & speaking)

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to analyse financial data and produce accurate, timely, and insightful management reports. Strong capability in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles, financial controls, and month-end/year-end closing processes.
• Ability to provide strategic financial advice and support informed decision-making across the organisation.
• Understanding of international regulatory requirements, audit processes, internal controls, and financial governance.
• Experience managing restricted and unrestricted funding, donor reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to understand organisational objectives and translate them into financial insights and recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and communicate complex financial information effectively.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, efficiency, automation, and optimisation of financial processes and systems.
• High ethical standards, attention to detail, sound judgement, and ownership of results.

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