Accounting Analyst

Contract

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Accounting Analyst

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. 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

World Bank Group Finance and Accounting (WFA) is led by the Vice President and Controller, who reports to the Chief Financial Officer. WFA in the Bank comprises the following functions: Financial Instruments Accounting and Valuation; Loan and Trust Fund Operations; Accounting Business Services; Financial Reporting; Accounting Policy; Documentation and Communication; Advisory Services; and Risks and Controls. These units collectively include approximately 450 staff, of which 100 are in Washington, D.C. with the remainder in regional offices including the largest in Chennai, India.

WFA Financial Controls (WFAFC) is a business division in WFA and is responsible for the fair recording and reporting of the WBG’s administrative expenses and fixed assets, which have a combined financial statement value of nearly $4.0B. This includes delivering core accounting services, maintaining an effective system of internal controls, and providing strategic leadership on complex business issues pertaining to the following administrative expenses and functions: (i) Travel Accounting, Accounts Payable, Fixed Asset and Lease Accounting, and Quality Assurance (together known as WFATA); and (ii) Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Tax Allowance Administration (WFAPT).

Unit Overview The Assurance and Client Support unit (WFATQ) is in Chennai, India, and functionally reports to WFATA. The unit supports WFATA in effective delivery of work program related to (a) Travel accounting; and (b) Quality assurance.

Travel Accounting: Ensure that the policy related to Operational Travel Expense Reimbursement reflects management objectives; as owner (jointly with GCS) of the institutional Travel system (TravelWeb), maintain the system and ensure it operates in a manner consistent with policy; develop new tools and enhancements to address the changing needs of travelers and the institution; manage vendor contracts for corporate travel cards; implement myCard program in all regions including Central Travel Account cards, manage user policies & procedures, processes, and systems.

Quality Assurance (QA): The primary purpose of this function is to review administrative expense records to test for compliance with policies and procedures; identify opportunities for strengthening controls; identify improvement needs in systems, policies and procedures; identify potential errors in expenses reported in the financial statements; and provide managers with a sound basis to make their annual Incrassation about the effectiveness of controls over their use of administrative expenses.

The successful candidate will work under Travel Accounting Team and closely work with WFATA team for the day-to-day operations.

Duties and Accountabilities: • Coordinate with regional / country office focal points, travel management companies, CITI, Visa, ITS (Information Technology solutions), GCS (Global Corporate solutions), and HQ counterparts in facilitating smooth rollout of myCard. • Participate in the design of business requirements, user testing and implementation of any new systems, applications, tools, and reports for the team, to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and standardization. • Support processing of invoices, reconciliation, following up for missing information, fixing issues, etc. to ensure prompt payment to vendors. • Independently perform review, analyze, and provide secondary-level technical advice on cases escalated by junior staff or external clients covering admin expense (travel and other admin expenses) review processes. • Establish and maintain accounting practices to ensure accurate and reliable data necessary for business operations. Conduct reviews of administrative transactions (both travel and staff & other admin expenses related) to verify accuracy of records, compliance with Bank’s policies and procedures • Strong familiarity with travel data and various resources, ability to retrieve and analyze data and support business in diverse data analysis requests. • Identification of problems and areas of possible improvements and development of constructive recommendations for improvements in internal controls over the activities reviewed. • Mentor junior staff and provide input to senior-level staff to help optimize processing standards and improve productivity; identify process improvements and provide inputs to support management’s initiatives to improve the process quality & process related controls.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s Degree with Masters in commerce, or Accounting. ACA/CPA or equivalent is desirable. • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in similar or complementary role with financial institutions and/or public accounting firms. • Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, namely Excel, Word, and Power Point, including advanced spreadsheet design, manipulation, and analysis skills. Proficiency in the use of analytical tools like Power BI, Power automate, Alteryx will be an advantage. • Ability to quickly develop effective understanding of logical accounting data structures and data inter-relationships to effectively evaluate and make recommendations on process/system controls. • In-depth, detailed understanding of accounting systems, preferably SAP FI and Travel modules and their control features and configuration capabilities/implementation at the Bank. • Knowledge of a variety of modern procurement practices and emerging electronic commerce solutions; excellent knowledge of Bank administrative policies. • Experience in implementing automation solutions, like RPA. • A proven track record of problem-solving skills in an automated accounting environment. • Excellent judgment, very good written and oral communications skills (including the ability to write clear, concise, and complete procedure); ability to carry out a multi-dimensional, multi-functional work program. • Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues. • Exhibit a personality that enables the incumbent to be client focused, flexible and an excellent team player. Ability to effectively work with other staff in the department and elsewhere in the Bank. • Self-motivated person with high degree of initiative and a strong team player.

Competencies:

• Business Processes & Systems – Has a basic understanding of business processes and systems (including accounting systems) to recommend and help implement process improvements. • Fundamental Controllership Knowledge - Has a basic understanding of general accounting principles, risks and controls, financial concepts, and financial transaction processes. • Accounting Policy - Understands accounting principles and, under guidance of senior staff, can apply accounting principles to appropriately record transactions. • Transaction Processing - Has substantial work experience with using automated systems to process transactions. • Risk Management & Internal Controls - Applies basic understanding of internal controls/risk management principles to document risks and controls in Bank activities. • Client Orientation - Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success. • Drive for Results - Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results and has the personal organization to do so. • Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view. • Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner. • Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work. • Project Management - Understands the basic concepts of project management, as they relate to the execution of tasks within a project.

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.