Senior Accounting Assistant
Chennai, India
JOB DETAIL
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
The World Bank Group Finance and Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidency Unit, is responsible for all aspects of financial accounting, reporting and the internal control framework for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of those entities
WFA comprises the following functions: Financial Instruments Accounting and Valuation; Loan Operations; Accounting Business Services; Financial Analysis and Reporting; Accounting Policy; Documentation and Communication; Advisory Services; and Operational Risks and Controls. These units collectively include approximately 450 staff, of which approximately 150 are in Washington, D.C., with the remainder in regional offices including the largest in Chennai, India.
WFA has a large footprint in Chennai (WFACO) with about 250 staff, supervised by 7 senior team leads and supported by 20+ team leads. Functionally, the Senior team leads report to Managers of their respective units in Washington, DC; administratively, they report to the WFA Chennai Manager, who has cross-cutting responsibilities for WFA Chennai and some functional responsibilities.
The Askaccounting team (WFAAN) and the Country office accounting team (WFACN) reports directly to the WFA Manager in Chennai (WFACO)
Team Overview:
The WFA Country Office Accounting (WFACN), part of Accounting Business services comprises two work program 1. Country Office Accounting (COA) and 2. Vendor Master Records (VMR). This team reports to team lead Country office accounting (WFCN)
The COA team works with WBG country offices (COs) and performs the below activities
• Review of Imprest accounts of country offices and follow up for any action
• Perform control assessment through Monthly submission reports
• Provide support on corporate expense policies and technical advice on accounting matters and SAP processes to CO accountants. Provide CO training
• Accounting and support of goods and services refund claims (GST)
The VMR team is involved in the management of Vendor Master Records (VMR) for WBG.
VMR Team is responsible for updating banking information in vendor master records (VMR) for Head Quarters and Country Office vendors after performing necessary due diligence. VMR team also performs participates in projects that strengthen the Bank’ vendor management especially with reference to vendor banking details.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Senior Accounting Assistant’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Due diligence, Vendor Master update and client advisory:
• Perform due diligence to ensure that the vendor information received for processing is authentic. This includes but is not limited to checking the authenticity of email sources, call back confirmations are performed in a timely manner and all documentation is available with the unit.
• Update the bank account details of Bank Group staff, vendors, short-term consultants and temporaries, grantees and visitors in a timely and accurate manner in SAP for both HQ & Country Office vendors.
• Perform related activities such as extending a vendor to a new company code or blocking or unblocking vendors based on requests from Accounts Payable (AP) or Accounts Receivable (AR) and Trust Funds (TF)
• Collaborate with stakeholders like AP, AR, Treasury and Procurement to ensure timely and accurate update of the master data information.
• Respond to client inquiries effectively and independently resolve problems or provide alternative solutions.
Process improvements & automation projects:
• Explore automation opportunities and process improvements and work on implementation of improvement ideas
• Participate in automation projects including Institutional Projects. Coordinate with stakeholders and provide value added insights
• For the projects, work with technical teams on system changes, bug fixes, enhancements and testing
Other Responsibilities:
• Maintain ‘up-to-date’ and high uality process documentation (process flow chart, narratives, and Risk & Controls matrix) for audit and reference purposes.
• Monitor and report key metrics related to the vendor master update process and highlight any issues to management
• Support review undertaken by Quality Assurance team on Bank and Vendor master updates and other activities. Support ICFR review process
• Perform ad-hoc assignments and serve as back-up to a role, as required.
• Train and mentor junior team members and oversee functions.
Selection Criteria
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Commerce or related field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
Core Technical Knowledge and Skills:
• Experience in Master data maintenance function / Accounts Payable function
• Experience working on SAP is preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, such as Excel, Word and Power Point.
• Ability to deal with rapidly shifting priorities and work demands, and willingness to learn new skills and seek help from colleagues;
• Good analytical and communication skills, both oral and written
• Good eye for detail and understanding of risk in payments functions
• Good team player, with a strong client and results orientation, capable of working within a multi-cultural environment, with minimum supervision;
• Ability to execute tasks independently and oversee team functions.
• Should be client focused, flexible and work effectively with other staff in the unit and outside.
• Meet WFA Core Competencies at GD level (given below)
WFA Core Competencies:
Deliver Results for Clients – Takes full ownership to address client needs. Demonstrates initiative, independence and autonomy in addressing client needs in changing business contexts and environments. Has knowledge of department strategy, vision, and goals and can link them to those of the larger organization. Allocates and prioritizes resources according to areas of most urgent need and greatest impact for the client.
Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries – Contributes to wider collaborative efforts. Adopts a collaborative approach to improve overall effectiveness outside one’s department and displays an open helpful attitude toward others. Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved. Demonstrates understanding of and acts to incorporate multiple perspectives. Frames thinking/actions with a WBG corporate perspective in mind.
Lead and Innovate – Initiates changes to work processes to improve efficiency and performance. Applies creativity, flexibility and persistence to develop new, considers own behavior in context of WBG’s values and mission and recognizes impact on others. Frames problems and recommends solutions.
Create, Apply and Share Knowledge – – Takes ownership for organization of knowledge-sharing and learning activities. Contributes to the knowledge of the work group and beyond. Uses feedback to develop self and mentor others. Builds personal and professional networks within and beyond the work group.
Make Smart Decision – Analyzes data to support and enable decision-making Anticipates, researches, reviews, and analyzes available data and relevant empirical evidence, including lessons learned. Understands risk and can provide basic assessment using cost-benefit analysis. Uses critical thinking and good judgment to make decisions. Supports decisions, takes action and ensures appropriate follow-up actions are taken.
Client Understanding and Advising – Follows through on client inquiries, requests, and addresses problems promptly and non-defensively. Proactively keeps the client up-to-date on the progress of projects. Makes decisions to meet the needs of the situation by considering all available resources and information.
Broad Business Thinking – Keeps informed on business operations. Inquiries about the relationship of delivered support/services to the business as it pertains to assigned area of responsibility and related projects. Seeks out relevant information related to clients from available sources including supervisors, peers, clients, intranet/Internet, and documentation. Provides a business-based rationale for determining the necessity of incremental improvements and communicates viewpoint using the client’s own terminology with limited jargon.
Project Management – Demonstrates an understanding of the key principles of project management. Assists in the management of projects where the objectives, milestones and time scales. Shares knowledge regarding project management protocols and duties.
Analytical Thinking – Gathers and links data. Reviews for non-conformity and gathers further information in response to problems. Collates and reports information. Identifies direct cause-and-effect relationships. Identifies trends and exceptions. Investigates to define problems more accurately. When looking at information, sees patterns, trends, or missing pieces. Recognizes when a current situation is similar to a past situation. Will accept other solutions when conventional methodology does not work. Makes ideas or situations clear, simple, and/or understandable. Assembles ideas, issues, and observations into a clear and useful explanation. Restates and/or interprets existing observations or knowledge in a simpler fashion. Is prepared to look beyond the data for solutions.
Policies and Procedures – Exhibit working knowledge of policies and procedures applicable to carrying out daily responsibilities. Abide by relevant policies and procedures in completing various tasks. Can exercise independent judgment regarding relevant policies and procedures.
Risk and Controls – Demonstrate understanding of key risks and internal control procedures in the related processes. Able to identify key risks and mitigating control steps in own functional areas. Perform internal control procedures in compliance with the overall risk and control framework. Ensure compliance with overall risk and internal control procedures.
Information Technology and Systems – Exhibit working knowledge of key information technology and main systems in own function areas. Effectively utilize such technologies and systems to successfully carry out work programs.
Communication – Express and exchange information in a clear and concise manner (Writes clearly and concisely simple work related documents). Listen actively and confirm understanding. Recognize own biases and assumptions and make an effort to understand the impact of others’ cultural norms on communication styles. Contribute to a transparent and engaging work environment by sharing views and ideas openly and professionally. Uses clear and easily understood writing styles when communicating technical information to non-technical individuals. Understands that different writing styles are required for different documents or audiences.
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.
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