Finance Manager
Position Title: Manager, Finance & Compliance
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Reports to: Director of Finance
Hours per week (average): Full-time
Contract type: Permanent
Position Summary
We Mean Business Coalition is a nonprofit group working with the world’s most influential businesses to act on climate change. Together, we catalyze business and policy action to halve emissions by 2030 and accelerate an inclusive transition to a net-zero economy.
The Manager, Finance will liaise with the Director of Finance and Manager, Finance (US) on the oversight of financial operations in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with Swiss regulations while collaborating closely with the Director of Finance, the Director of Operations and the Manager, Finance (US) to align financial management practices across both regions. This role serves as a critical bridge between Swiss and US financial operations, ensuring seamless coordination, compliance, and reporting. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Swiss foundation accounting, Swiss legal and fiscal regulations, Swiss audit processes, and international financial management.
Responsibilities & Tasks
Financial Management & Compliance (Switzerland)
- Liase with the finance team on the financial operations in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with Swiss GAAP FER and relevant foundation accounting standards.
- Support the Director of Finance and Finance Manager (US) in the management of the organization’s financial cycle, including budgeting, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
- Collaborate with the finance team to ensure the accurate preparation of financial statements, donor reports, and compliance filings.
- Work closely with the Director of Finance to align Swiss financial strategies with broader organizational goals.
- Manage and process payroll and related reconciliations, including the review of the social charges
- Responsible for employee expense management
- Liaise with the finance team on Swiss banking relationship management.
Bridge Between Switzerland & US Financial Operations
- Act as a key liaison between and collaborate with the Swiss and US finance teams, ensuring consistency and compliance in cross-border financial activities.
- Coordinate financial reporting requirements between jurisdictions, ensuring transparency and alignment with international standards.
- Support cross-border financial operations, including fund transfers, tax considerations, and intercompany transactions.
- Work with the Manager, Finance (US) to harmonize financial policies, internal controls, and best practices.
Foundation-Specific Accounting & Legal Compliance
- Ensure compliance with Swiss foundation legal and fiscal regulations (e.g., governance, endowments, and grants management).
- Work with the finance team to support the management of the financial aspects of donations, grants, and restricted/unrestricted funds.
- Work closely with Swiss legal advisors to ensure compliance with Swiss foundation governance requirements.
- Support the Director of Finance to provide financial insights and reports to the Board of Trustees and senior leadership.
Audit, Tax & Fiscal Responsibility
- Collaborate with the Director of Finance and Manager, Finance (US) on the Swiss audit process, ensuring compliance with internal controls and external audit requirements.
- Ensure tax compliance for the foundation, including VAT, withholding tax, and international tax considerations.
- Collaborate with external auditors and tax advisors to address fiscal obligations and financial risks.
Financial Strategy & International Collaboration
- Provide financial analysis and strategic recommendations to support the foundation’s mission.
- Support both the finance and development teams in fundraising and grant management efforts with financial oversight and donor reporting.
- Work with the finance team on monitoring currency exchange risks and international financial transactions.
Skills & Approach
- Strong expertise in foundation accounting and financial management.
- Experience managing funds designed by donors for restricted purposes is preferable.
- In-depth knowledge of Swiss legal, tax, and fiscal regulations for foundations.
- Experience working in an international financial environment, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.
- Strong auditing and financial reporting experience, particularly in a nonprofit or foundation setting in Switzerland.
- Excellent analytical and strategic problem-solving skills.
- Ability to liaise effectively between Swiss and US finance teams, ensuring smooth cross-border collaboration.
- High integrity, transparency, and ethical financial management.
- Effective communicator, able to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- Fluency in English and French required.
Experience & Education
- Minimum 10 years of experience in finance, accounting, or audit, preferably in a foundation, NGO, or corporate environment with international exposure.
- Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Professional certification (CPA, CFA, ACCA, Swiss Fiduciary qualification, or equivalent) is a strong asset.
- Experience with Swiss GAAP FER and international financial reporting required.
- Prior experience managing cross-border financial operations and working with multinational organizations.
Benefits
Benefits and compensation vary per region and are competitive with local prevailing packages. Regardless of location, team members get equipment stipends to ensure they are set up wherever they may be working from, generous time off, and paid parental leave.
How to Apply
Submit your cover letter and resume here. Applications will be considered starting on a rolling basis / until 30 May 2025.
Hiring Statement
All positions at We Mean Business Coalition are grant funded and are contingent upon continued funding.
We Mean Business Coalition is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Our work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
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