Accounting Officer

Contract

This is a World Bank Group grade: GF contract. More about World Bank Group grade: GF contracts.

Accounting Officer

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.

Within WFA Financial Controls Department, WFA Accounts Receivable (AR), Payroll and Tax division (WFAPT in HQ and WFAPA in Chennai) is responsible for ensuring that (i) accounts receivable are recorded, monitored, and collected in a timely and efficient manner, (ii) salary and benefit payments to the WBG staff are processed in a timely and efficient manner, and (iii) tax allowances to the WBG staff and retirees are processed in a timely and efficient manner. It also provides strategic leadership and guidance to business units across the WBG on developing and maintaining an effective system of internal controls over AR, Payroll, and Tax.

WFAPA Financial Controls Department is currently seeking an Accounting Officer to serve as a Transformation and Project Management Lead for its Payroll team in Chennai. Payroll Team in Chennai is responsible for processing of salary and benefit payments to the World Bank Group staff on a fortnightly basis. This includes ensuring proper controls over the entire process and adhering to the World Bank’s policies and procedures. The team is also responsible for the identification and implementation of transformative initiatives for the payroll process. These initiatives are intended to increase productivity and efficiencies in work program delivery, while maintaining continuity in current WFA business operations.

How your contributions will help us achieve our goals

The Accounting Officer will primarily serve as a transformation and project management expert for the payroll functions led by WFAPT/WFAPA that cuts across multiple workstreams of process simplification and technology implementation. The selected candidate will also play a pivotal role in team’s process enhancements and support delivery of the team’s vision and strategy, as well as contribute to the wider portfolio of projects and initiatives as needed. The selected candidate will also be involved in the regular execution of the payroll work program to maintain and deepen knowledge of the processes and for business continuity.

The Accounting Officer will report to the Senior Accounting Officer.

What you will do:

• Lead transformation and project management for the Payroll function.

• Establish and lead transformation and automation program with focus on concrete outcomes for the process and technology enhancements.

• Lead and contribute to project planning, scoping, sequencing, and monitoring of activities.

• Help construct the implementation strategy, optimizing change management and stakeholder engagement efforts across workstreams.

• Facilitate the design of future state processes to streamline and remove waste and leverage automation solutions.

• Develop business cases, process maps, and prioritize improvement opportunities using relevant frameworks and methodologies.

• Contribute to presentation material to be used for Executive briefings and Committee presentations.

• Routinely prepare and deliver project updates to the Senior Accounting Officer, Division Manager, and others, as requested, in coordination with the project team.

• Track project deliverables and deadlines, flag/escalate risk and advise on mitigation.

• Document key decisions, risks, issues, remedies, and discussions at all key meetings.

• Proactively undertake substantive pieces of work in coordination with the project team, and relevant business stakeholders and ITS partners.

• Oversee delivery of work by the project team.

• Contribute to the design and development of reports and analytics.

• Provide periodic reporting to all key stakeholders involved in the Payroll projects.

• Maintain strong relationships with our stakeholders.

• Periodically participate in the regular execution of the payroll work program as it is required and necessary to maintain and deepen knowledge of the processes and for business continuity.

Selection Criteria

What you will bring:

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (Finance or Accounting)

• Professional Accounting Certification (CA/CPA/ACCA)

• PMP or equivalent Project Management Certification desired.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of work experience in the functional area

• Preferable: Background in payroll function in the financial service industry and familiarity with banking transactions; Multinational organization experience would be advantageous.

Knowledge and Skills:

• A proven track record of effective management of large-scale, complex projects in Finance.

• Experience in implementing automated solutions, such as RPA and AI are desirable. Experience with PeopleSoft and SAP preferred.

• Fundamental Controllership knowledge with a broad understanding of general accounting principles, risks and controls, and financial concepts.

• Manage project budgets and human resources.

• Proven track record of managing team(s)that performs timely and high-quality service delivery, handling escalations, and advisory support.

• Expertise at interpreting rules, policies and procedures that relate to area of work.

• Strong interpersonal skills: commitment to work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment; problem solver; excellent presentation and report writing skills.

• Expert analytical skills with ability to systematically analyze relationships between apparently independent problems and issues to provide insights for management decision making.

• Proven record of making decisions based on risk analysis taking full consideration of interests and concerns of stakeholders.

• Ability to involve the key players in identifying operating needs and providing solutions.

• Ability to establish appropriate internal control procedures for new processes or processes with significant change.

• Ability to effectively work with the wide range of stakeholders across the institution.

• Demonstrated ability to lead the team through transformational periods.

• Digital dexterity capabilities: –

• Solid understanding of emerging technologies, specifically related to providing an enhanced client experience.

• Knowledge of data and analytical tools like MSExcel, PowerBI, Tableau

• Knowledge of reporting tools such as MS PowerPoint, MS Word

• Sound knowledge of process improvement techniques and tools (Six sigma, process mining)

• Proven ability of creating training and development opportunities for staff resulting in staff upskilling.

Abilities:

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain and express views/opinions clearly and confidently.

• Ability to deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze business process requirements and translate them into design specifications for process changes and automated solutions.

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.