Reporting Accountant

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
REPORTING ACCOUNTANT
Finance Division
Multiple Office Locations
Application Deadline: April 28, 2026

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Reporting Accountant to assist the Finance Division with accounting and audit support for all non-US based reporting entities. HRW has 27 entities and branches outside of the US, and this position will support both the Global Accounting team and the local Operations Administrators.

The Finance Division is led by the Chief Financial Officer, supported by the Global Controller, and is responsible for providing financial management, implementing financial strategy and maintaining the fiscal integrity of Human Rights Watch (HRW). In this role, you will work with the Finance & Operations Directors, as well as the Assistant Controller and the Revenue Manager.

This full-time position will be based in one of HRW’s US offices preferably New York or Washington DC and will report to the Associate Director, based in New York. The successful candidate will need to work from the office on a needed basis.

Responsibilities:

1. Ensure that transactions are recorded and reported in accordance with US and local GAAP as well as IFRS;
2. Review or prepare recorded/posted transactions of all HRW non-US entities, in coordination with the Financial Operations team;
3. Oversee the timely and accurate fiscal year closings for all HRW non-US external reporting and coordinate with closings worldwide;
4. Manage local annual fiscal audits for HRW non-US entities as applicable;
5. Establish and maintain relationships with vendors (accounting, payroll, pensions, banking and auditing) and negotiate to get the best rates for these services in non-US entities, in collaboration with the local Financial Operations team;
6. Manage procedures for granting of funds between all non-US charities and coordinate consistency where possible with the worldwide procedures and in compliance with local jurisdiction requirements;
7. Work with Operations Administrators and when needed, provide training on basic accounting concepts, so that they can assist in bank reconciliations, journal entries, analysis, and solve any issues;
8. Propose changes to accounting policies and procedures for all non-US based entities to the Global Controller and take the lead in its implementation and consistency with HRW worldwide;
9. Work with Operations staff to ensure that cash flow, budgeting and forecasting in all non-US locations is budgeted and monitored appropriately;
10. Strengthen HRW’s transaction mechanisms while ensuring the required internal controls and compliance (e.g., IFRS, IAS local regulations and taxation);
11. Deliver outputs in a timely manner while maintaining consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Finance Division;
12. Prepare quarterly/annual financial statements and present statements at board meetings when required;
13. Prepare quarterly tax reports as required;
14. Produce reports and recommendations following internal audits or public-sector audits;
15. Support the Associate Director in reconciling revenue;
16. Manage communications while maintaining strong and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
17. Identify, propose and develop opportunities and areas of interest for the department; and
18. Perform additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

Education: Chartered Accountant, or a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or equivalent qualification or work experience is required.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of experience with progressively complex responsibility in the accounting field is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Proven track record of all aspects of accounting, including general ledger, journal entries, budgets, account analysis, financial statements, and other accounting functions, is required.
2. Solid understanding of statutory requirements, legal procedures (audits, taxes, etc.) and government regulations is required.
3. Solid experience in developing systems, policies, and internal c