Senior Accountant

About PADF

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger — more healthy, peaceful, just, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For over 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.

Position Overview

PADF is looking for a Senior Accountant for our operations in Jamaica. The Senior Accountant, in coordination with the PADF Jamaica project teams, HQ programs team, and under the direct supervision of the HQ Finance Team, will ensure that all financial records are prepared and maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and rules and regulations for a nonprofit organization; as well as review and consolidate the accounting records in a timely and accurate fashion.

The Senior Accountant will manage day-to-day financial operations to support the organization's in-country activities and will collaborate with PADF's HQ teams to ensure compliance with both local and USG regulations. As part of the Finance and Accounting team, the Senior Accountant will also work closely with other staff in headquarters and the field. The Senior Accountant must be highly efficient, adept at optimizing time and resources to maximize impact, while effectively prioritizing and managing multiple tasks to meet deadlines.

This position is based in Kingston, Jamaica; and is expected to work in a hybrid format.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Accounting:

• Lead the preparation and maintenance of prepaid expenses and monthly accruals for multiple PADF projects in Jamaica, ensuring accuracy and compliance with internal policies.
• Manage month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of all accounting activities.
• Supervise and review the preparation of journal entries, including complex and adjusting entries, to ensure proper documentation and accounting treatment.
• Oversee the preparation and review of reconciliations for key balance sheet and general ledger accounts, proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Review and validate financial documentation and reports submitted by implementing partners and PADF collaborators, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Prepare and review petty cash reports for PADF headquarters (Washington, D.C.), ensuring adherence to standard formats and deadlines.
• Prepare and process local bank transactions and ensure compliance with internal control requirements.
• Strengthen and maintain robust operational controls, data documentation protocols, and troubleshooting procedures to ensure financial integrity.

Audit and Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor regulations, and nonprofit sector standards.
• Conduct due diligence and security checks on suppliers and contractors using PADF-approved platforms, maintaining up-to-date records and compliance documentation.

Oversight:

• Maintain regular communication with implementing partners to provide guidance on expense classification, reporting standards, and compliance requirements, supporting them in strengthening their financial management practices.

Process Improvement:

• Identify, recommend, and implement automation and process improvement opportunities to enhance accounting efficiency and accuracy.
• Streamline and optimize financial workflows and reporting systems within the Jamaica office to align with best practices and organizational goals.

Administrative and Operational Support:

• Manage office inventory and equipment, ensuring accurate records and proper internal controls.
• Lead the supplier identification and selection process, preparing comparative analyses and recommendations for office purchases.
• Serve as the primary liaison with outsourced accounting and legal service providers, coordinating local payroll, employee benefits, and statutory payments.
• Oversee the preparation of purchase orders and other administrative documents in support of program and operational needs.
• Effectively manage multiple priorities, ensuring timely completion of tasks and responsiveness to emerging needs.
• Contribute to special projects and cross-functional initiatives, providing financial expertise and strategic input as required. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead all operational requirements mandated by PADF’s local registration in Jamaica.
• Oversee PADF’s transition from outsourcing employment to transitioning to local employment for existing staff.
   

Competencies

• Attention to Detail – Works in a conscientious and thorough consistent manner. Identifies multiple sources/approaches of information to ensure that details are addressed. Complete and present a great deal of detailed information in a concise and professional manner.
• Technology Savvy – Easily adopts and uses technology, stays current on new digital tools, recommends and implements technology improvements as initiative. Strong technology and analytical skills.
• Communication – Solid communication skills with the ability to build and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships across the organization. Excellent interpersonal skills suitable for a multicultural organization.
• Problem-Solving – Proactive, problem-solver and analytical. Sound judgment and confidentiality.
• Project Management – Strong project management skills with the ability to perform and prioritize tasks effectively.
   

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Eight to ten (8-10) years of experience in international development, disaster management, democracy, human rights, or related field.
• Experience working with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and rules and regulations for a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of Jamaica's public and legal landscape and framework, including taxes, finance regulations, staff benefits, reporting requirements and filing timelines for companies, charitable organizations etc., and working with organizations such as the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
• Knowledge of Windows packages (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), teleconferencing platforms (Zoom and Teams), and hardware (laptops, projectors, audiovisual systems, etc.).
• Excellent writing skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience with Great Plains Analytical Accounting is highly desirable.
• Experience in implementing and maintaining effective accounting software systems, models, and other analytical tools.
• Knowledge of U.S. government donor funded rules and regulations is a plus.
• Knowledge of other donor-funded rules and regulations (Canada, EU, IADB, World Bank, UN, UK, etc.).
• Communication skills in Spanish would be a plus.