J.E. Austin Associates’ work covers important development challenges in every region of the world. J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. (JAA) was founded in 1986 to focus on poverty reduction and sustainable, socially responsible economic growth for the purpose of assisting businesses, governments, non-profit organizations. Currently, our projects span across Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia, Colombia, Guyana, Pakistan, Nigeria, Congo, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Egypt.  Since our foundation, we have worked in over 127 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. JAA’s technical expertise covers strategic planning, competitiveness, export growth, agribusiness, investment promotion, private sector development, financial analysis, and institutional strengthening. We are working to advise an incoming national government on their overall economic strategy and policy.  We enable public-private dialogue between public, private, and civil society leaders.   

JAA makes people think.  We have developed a lot of intellectual property over the years, used both by other organizations in the industry and by major development banks and agencies around the world.  We introduced national competitiveness initiatives to USAID in 1998.  We wrote several influential World Bank publications that provided frameworks for international development practitioners.  We like thinking outside the box and coming up with solutions to complex problems. 

The Internship Opportunity: We currently have an opportunity for an intern to work in support of the project managers who oversee ongoing projects and business development endeavors.  As an intern at JAA, you will have the opportunity to learn about technical and managerial work in international development; establish a familiarity with USAID, DoS, and World Bank procedures; and participate in the company’s mentor-matching program. J.E. Austin Associates is dedicated to crafting an experience that provides our interns with many kinds of opportunities relevant to a career in international economic development. This is a paid internship.

The internship is designed to give you broad exposure to multiple professional development areas and sharpen relevant skills:

Project Management

• Assist with backstopping several international economic development projects, by providing administrative managerial support to field offices and overseas personnel on overseas travel.
• Assist project managers in recruiting, screening and fielding long and short-term expatriate staff and consultants.
• Assists with procurement of goods and services in the U.S.
• Edit and/or compile research and other data for technical reports.

Business Development

• Assist Project managers as needed in maintaining systems for tracking proposals
• Regularly check relevant websites for upcoming projects and opportunities
• Prepare and organize inputs (such as reports on past projects and CVs) for proposals.

Systems Management

• Management of JAA website content.
• Assist with JAA’s social media presence.
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Additional Tasks

• Special assignments outside of the tasks listed above may also be undertaken, including technical work and research assignments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or graduating in 2023) in business administration, economics, political science, international relations, or relevant field.
• Currently enrolled in a degree-earning program
• Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in working in international development; interest in business strategy, agriculture/agribusiness and/or entrepreneurship is a plus.
• Strong organizational and administration skills.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Advanced PowerPoint or other presentation/ graphic design skills are a plus.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of the team.
• Proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is strongly preferred.

Timeframes

• Fall Internship: Early September through late December. Must apply by August 15th
• Spring Internship: Mid-January through mid/end of May. Must apply by December 15th
• Summer Internship: Late May through early August. Must apply by May 5^th

The internship is based out of our office in Arlington, VA. Compensation for the position is $20 per hour.

To Apply:  Interested applicants should submit their resumes and a cover letter using the DEVEX application system: https://www.devex.com/jobs/intern-1061065

Opportunity: If you are a conscientious accounting professional with a desire to grow in your career and work in a dynamic company that has made a positive difference in people’s lives for over 36 years, we are ready to invest in you and your training to become a key part of J.E. Austin’s accounting team. You will be helping us help others and make an impact on global poverty reduction. J.E. Austin Associates has worked in 127 developing countries on projects that boost the incomes of people in developing countries. And you will be increasing your skills as an accounting and finance professional in the important U.S. Government contracting world. We are prepared to help train and support you. Are you the dedicated professional we are seeking? JE Austin Associates, Inc is an employer of equal opportunity committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, ancestry, marital status, genetic information, national origin, disability, or veteran status. JE Austin Associates, Inc is committed to providing all applicants and employees equal opportunities. It will make reasonable accommodations for a disability and sincerely held religious beliefs if they allow the individual to perform the job’s essential functions.

Job Description: Responsible for working with the Controller to ensure timely and accurate invoicing of clients monthly for 20-25 projects and for maintaining an accounts payable process meeting US Government Contracting regulations and good accounting practices.

Responsibilities: The following are essential tasks and other duties, and responsibilities may be assigned by Senior Management and/or the Controller:

1. Prepare fixed price, time and materials, and cost-reimbursable invoices, ensuring that all coding and backup documentation are correct.

2. Submit client invoices, including backup documentation, per client specifications.

3. Evaluate and identify internal control weaknesses over billings and accounts receivable, and establish and implement internal control improvements, as needed.

4. Maintain financial records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

5. Contribute to team effort through close cooperation and support of other team members

6. Enter checks, wire transfers and cash receipts in Deltek Costpoint.

7. Support project accounting by home office and field office teams.

8. Prepare and enter accounts payable vouchers, review the company’s credit card statements, review employees’ expense reports for accuracy and compliance, and assist in weekly payments of accounts payable.

9. Assist the Business Development team with preparing the budget and budget notes for cost proposals and cross-check budget accuracy.

10. Work directly with Controller on daily matters and with senior and project managers as needed to resolve billing issues and ensure timely and error-free bill submissions.

11. Support Project Managers by quarterly analysis of budget expended vs. time expended

12. Assist Controller in comparing actual income and expenses vs. pro-forma budgets.

Skills/Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a similar discipline from an accredited institution

2. Four (4) years of relevant professional experience in accounting and invoicing

3. U.S. citizen and/or Green Card Holder able to work legally in the USA

4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications with emphasis in Word, Excel, Outlook, and online search engines required

5. Experience with Deltek Costpoint preferred or able to quickly master new system

6. Familiarity with government contracting

7. Familiarity with Department of Labor requirements (helpful but not required)

8. Familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR), AID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), and Cost Accounting Standards preferred but not required

9. Ability to handle multiple tasks and multiple projects under deadlines and able to pivot among priorities that are either higher in importance or more time urgent

10. Highly organized and detail-oriented with a passion for accuracy

11. Professional demeanor, actions, and attitude toward colleagues and external clients

12. Able to solve problems, analyze issues before reporting problems to the Controller

13. Comfortable working in a small company team-oriented environment

14. Strong project management and multi-tasking skills

15. Ability to remain organized, collaborative, and effective in a fast-paced environment

16. Able to communicate compliance requirements to Project Managers and Field Staff, especially related to time sheets, travel expenses and procurements

Job Type and Salary: Full-time, salaried position starting at market rate per employee’s salary history with immediate 5% over current employee’s salary within a range of $55K-$90 per seniority and performance.

Benefits:

Health, Vision and Dental Insurance (75% paid by company)

Pension contributions through 401(k)

Flexible schedule

10 Paid Holidays, 15 Days Paid Personal Time Off (PTO)

Student Loan Repayment Assistance of $200 per month.

Working Conditions:

This position is currently a hybrid-remote position able to accommodate working from home for most of the time but with an expectation of weekly or periodic meetings for training, team-building, or coordinating with other employees. This salaried position assumes an 8-hour workday Monday-Friday during normal working hours with occasional needs for work after 6 pm or on weekends during deadline periods. The work location when not remote is based in the greater Washington DC Metro area and specifically in Arlington, Virginia near the Orange and Silver Lines.

Please apply via Devex:

https://www.devex.com/jobs/senior-accountant-1072642