Accounting Officer

Employer
World Bank Group
Location
India
Posted
Dec 04, 2024
Closes
Dec 24, 2024
Ref
4962376773
Level
Staff
Certification
Other
Work Mode
Work from office
Hours
Full Time
Organization Type
Academia, Corporate
Accounting Officer
Job #: req30660 Organization: World Bank Sector: Finance & Accounting Grade: GF Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Chennai,India Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 12/13/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to join us to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank (WB) is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID) dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The WB Finance & Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidency is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting and internal control framework for IBRD and IDA, and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of the WB entities. It supports an appropriate fiduciary control framework and administering disbursements for Bank lending and leads the client service function for the WB’s corporate expenses.

Organizationally, WFA is comprised of three departments: (1) Corporate Accounting and Reporting, (2) Trust Funds and Loans, and (3) Financial Controls. In WFA, our mandate supports both internal and external clients while we focus on delivery, optimization, impact, and people & culture.
WFACN Team Overview:
The WFA Country Office Accounting (WFACN) unit in the Financial Controls department, comprises two work programs: 1. Country Office Accounting (COA) and 2. Vendor Master Records (VMR) maintenance.
The COA team’s work program includes but not limited to
• Review of Imprest (local bank) accounts of country offices (CO) and follow up for resolution• Accounting for leases in the country offices and lease accounting advisory• Submission of Imprest Trial Balance and CO Lease Trial balance • Perform control reviews of monthly reports submitted by COs• Provide advisory support and approval of exceptions on corporate expense policies and technical advice on accounting matters • Provide training to CO accountants on transactions, policies and procedures• Perform imprest accounting for Chennai office, and accounting and claim processing of goods and services refund claims (India GST) for Chennai office
The VMR team is responsible for updating banking information in vendor master records (VMR) after thorough due diligence, and implementing related projects.
WFACN is currently seeking an Accounting Officer to lead its team in Chennai, India.
The successful candidate will report to the WFA Chennai Manager and will be responsible for the following:
1. Work program Delivery:
Lead the team and manage the work program of the team to deliver high quality and timely output, and provide value added service to country offices. Maintain internal control environment, effectively manage client and stakeholder relations and escalations, and maintain service level agreements. Implement and monitor the established KPIs with periodic assessment of cost, quality, timeliness and productivity gains.
2. Project Management, Process simplification and Automation:
Take initiative to continuously improve processes, demonstrate adaptability to changing priorities and provide innovative technical and thought leadership to scale up automation by leveraging advanced technology tools. Lead and deliver projects of importance to the Division/ Department/ VPU, or Institution at large. Actively participate in the ERP transition (Aria) project to ensure that (a) VMR and COA processes are transitioned correctly to the new ERP and (b) plan and implement enhancements in the subsequent phase to reflect the vision for the functions - in close coordination with the WFA accounts payable teams and relevant stakeholders. 3. Stakeholder Relationship:
Actively engage with clients at various levels, understand client needs and provide appropriate solutions; hold periodic sessions to review performance, obtain feedback and implement agreed actions. Interact closely with colleagues and counterparts in Chennai, HQ and country offices both within and across VPUs to actively address emerging issues, trends, institutional mandates and support on delivering solutions.
4. Team/ Talent Management:
Supervise WFACN team members, including performance management; providing timely feedback, coaching, and mentoring support to the team to achieve desired outcomes. Actively support staff’s professional development and identify training needs, soft skills and technical, work with WFA training coordinators and manager to help upskill the team adequately, keeping in mind the future needs of the unit and the WBG. Maintain a harmonious and respectful workplace.
Selection Criteria

Education and Experience:
• Professional accounting qualification (CA or CPA or equivalent)• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Finance or Accounting• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
Knowledge and Skills:
• Leadership: Experience in leading team of accountants or demonstrated potential to do so.• Fundamental Controllership Knowledge: Has a strong understanding of general accounting principles, financial concepts and transaction processes • Business Processes: Expert understanding of business processes and systems (preferably SAP) to lead the analysis, enhance internal controls, and implement changes• Accounting Policy: Solid understanding of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Accounting Standards. Ability to translate standards into policies and procedures • Risk Management & Internal Controls: Solid knowledge of internal controls and procedures related to administrative expenses, demonstrated ability in identifying and mitigating existing and emerging risks• Project Management: Expert knowledge and understanding of the project management concepts, as they relate to the implementation of complex, multi-functional projects. Demonstrated abilities in automation and digital transformation using modern technology • Client Orientation: Translates insight into practices across disciplines, hierarchies, and organizational units; Proven experience in providing innovative cross- cutting solutions, and managing time-critical demands from clients and business partners• Drive for Results: Ensures successful implementation and delivery of programs and projects; Develops and implements solutions that show stakeholder understanding • Collaboration and Inclusion: Creates a team climate of practical and innovative action, facilitating collaboration between competing interests and stakeholders• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communications skills and ability to convey complex issues concisely to senior management, colleagues and clients.
Abilities:
• Ability to manage simultaneous competing demands and deliver on time• Ability to analyze large sets of data and complex processes, identify the underlying risks and formulate business solutions• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain and express views/opinions clearly, and confidently to ensure high-quality results• Ability to deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues; managing stakeholder expectations• High level of integrity, tact and discretion.• Demonstrated competencies at the required level as prescribed in the WBG competency Framework here:- World Bank Group Core Competencies:
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC , including our values and inspiring stories.