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. The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions and thirteen Global Practices to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients. The WBG Finance & Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidency is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting and internal control framework for IBRD, IDA, and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of these entities. WFA also leads the client service function for the WBG’s administrative expenses and trust funds and ensures fiduciary responsibility for all disbursements related to Bank operations. Organizationally, WFA comprises three functional departments: (1) WBG Corporate Accounting and Reporting (WFACA), (2) WFA Trust Funds and Loans (WFATL), and (3) WFA Financial Controls (WFAFC). These units, along with WFA Chennai report directly to the WBG Controller who heads the WFA Vice Presidency. WFAFC is responsible for a broad range of activities and consists of three divisions: (1) WFA Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Tax (WFAPT) (2) Accounts Payable, Quality Assurance, and Travel Accounting division (WFATA), and (3) WFA Valuation and Analytics (WFAVA). Divisional Overview The WFAPT and WFATA Divisions are responsible for recording and reporting of the WBG’s administrative expenses and fixed assets, which have a combined financial statement value of approximately $5 billion. The two divisions also provide strategic leadership and guidance to business units across the WBG on developing and maintaining an effective system of internal controls over processing and reporting administrative expenses. The two divisions are also accountable for developing policy and monitoring compliance related to administrative expenses and fixed assets. Specifically, the two divisions are responsible for managing a wide range of administrative/corporate services, including:

Accounts receivable
Payroll and benefits processing
Tax allowance processing
Accounts payable
Fixed assets and lease accounting
Country Office accounting support
Quality Assurance Program
Travel accounting
AskAccounting (Help Desk)
SAP end-user security oversight

The Accounts Payable, Quality Assurance, and Travel Accounting division (WFATA) is responsible for accounts payable, fixed assets and lease accounting, country office accounting support, quality assurance program, and travel accounting. It also provides strategic leadership and guidance to business units across the WBG on developing and maintaining an effective system of internal controls over these functions. The Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Tax division (WFAPT) 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 accounts receivable, payroll and tax. This division has a team of about 39 staff – 15 staff in Washington D.C. and 24 staff in Chennai. WFAPT is currently seeking an Accounting Analyst to join its Payroll and Accounts Receivable function in Washington, DC. The successful candidate will perform Accounts Receivable and Payroll duties and, in close coordination with the Accounts Receivable and Payroll teams in Chennai, India, help ensure that the Accounts Receivable and Payroll processes operate smoothly. The job requires extensive interaction with HR, WBG country offices, and the Information and Technology Solutions Group (ITS). The functional processes are led by team leads in Washington D.C. and Chennai, who report to the division manager. The Accounting Analyst positions report to the Team Lead, Payroll and Accounts Receivable function. Positions Overview The Accounting Analyst, within the WFAPT division, functions as a technical staff and performs a variety of tasks, including, as needed, broader responsibilities of the division. Primary areas of responsibility include executing the Payroll and Benefit programs and coordinating and executing accounting and reporting activities for administrative expenses, accounts receivable and related revenue. The position closely interacts with the Payroll and Accounts Receivable team in Chennai in delivering the work program. Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate and execute payment, accounting and reporting activities for WBG’s Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Benefit programs.
Coordinate projects or components of larger projects for Accounts Receivable and Payroll.
Work with counterparts, clients and colleagues to update accounts receivable and payroll documentation and update the process repository in iGrafx software
Maintain WFAPT Records Retention and Disposition Schedule
Work with stakeholders to resolve day-to-day accounting, reconciliation and reporting issues
Work with ITS colleagues on system-related matters, including analysis, design and testing, to deliver robust technology solutions, as required
Prepare management information and provide decision support for Accounts Receivable and Payroll
Maintain integrity of staff’s banking information held in PeopleSoft, which enables direct deposit Payroll payments
Perform due diligence checks on beneficiary banking details that are flagged for potential non-compliance with OFAC and AML/ CFT requirements.
Provide support to the Payroll team in Chennai. This includes periodically executing Business Continuity Plan procedures; running Payroll processes, as needed, as well as reviewing control reports and payment files for accuracy.
Respond to queries and information requests from internal and external auditors
Liaise with external auditors on accounting policies, financial reporting and internal control matters.
Assist with trial balance preparation and financial reporting activities Analyze transactions and reports to assess compliance with Bank policies and procedures.

Selection Criteria Successful candidate should have (i) demonstrated strong technical accounting skills, (ii) excellent written and oral communication skills, (iii) proven ability to handle a variety of tasks while delivering on time, (iv) proven ability to work in a team environment, and (v) good judgement and discretion. Specifically: Education and Experience:

CA or CPA (or an equivalent professional accounting qualification) is required
Master's degree with 3 years’ relevant experience or bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience.
Project management and systems implementation experience is desirable

Core Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Detailed understanding of Payroll systems, preferably PeopleSoft’s Global Payroll module is highly desirable
Experience with process mapping and documentation
Experience with records management and retention
Experience with SAP FI (financial module) is desirable
A proven track record of problem solving in an automated accounting environment
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technology quickly and effectively
Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, such as Excel, Word and Power Point, including advanced spreadsheet design, manipulation, and analysis skills
Experience with collaboration tools, such as MS teams, is desirable
Ability to quickly analyze accounting data structures and data inter-relationships and make recommendations on process, system and control improvements
Excellent judgement and strong communication skills with the ability to prepare, present, and discuss findings verbally and in writing
Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate and tactfully interact with staff at all levels
Proven ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines, and possess attention to detail
Ability to interact appropriately in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relations with stakeholders and colleagues
Should be client focused, yet flexible to changing needs, and work effectively with other teams
Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment

WFA Core Competencies:

Deliver Results for Clients - Contributes to delivery of results for client on complex issues. Sets challenging goals that align with the WBG mission and is always looking to improve. Understands clients’ most pressing challenges and contributes to solutions. Takes personal responsibility for producing high quality work, identifying and informing of risks, and delivering results for clients.
Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates within team and across boundaries. Keeps others fully informed to ensure integration and work consistency. Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved. Seeks and listens to input from others to inform own decision making and openly shares information. Frames thinking/actions with a WBG corporate perspective in mind.
Lead and Innovate - Brings new and different insights. Applies critical thinking to current approaches, identifies areas for improvement, and tries new solutions that drive results. Considers own behavior in context of WBG's values and mission and recognizes impact one has on others. Operates in ambiguity and changing needs and supports others to do the same.
Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Actively contributes to and readily applies WBG’s body of knowledge for client solutions. Contributes to the departments and WBG's body of knowledge by applying lessons learned and expertise. Actively invests in own knowledge and seeks feedback. Builds personal and professional networks within and beyond the work group.
Make Smart Decisions - Leverages available data and makes timely decisions. Seeks and analyzes facts, data and lessons of past experience to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work. Applies cost/benefit analysis to meet work program objectives. Contributes to decision making by providing relevant risk-analysis. Shows initiative when necessary, and makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility.
Client Understanding and Advising - Looks at issues from the client’s perspective and takes action beyond normal expectations to ensure client satisfaction. Analyzes situations and determines alternative or creative scenarios and approaches to add value to the business in new and different ways. Works within the team and with other specialty areas to define client needs and develop the best approach to meet client needs. Sees how ideas and best practices from other specialties can be adapted or applied to address client issues.
Broad Business Thinking - Maintains an in-depth understanding of the long term implications of decisions both for department and the client’s business. Ensures that decisions are supported by relevant stakeholders as well as sound performance data. Effectively communicates recommended changes to clients and how they will affect their business using the client’s own terminology with limited jargon while attempting to minimize day-to-day disruption of operations.
Project Management - Develops and implements realistic and achievable work plans for group or project team – including tasks, priorities, resources and schedules. Establishes priorities, identifies critical tasks, and pushes projects forward in a timely fashion. Establishes controls to detect problems early and notify those involved if deadlines are affected. Creates opportunities and solutions that address more difficult or abstract situations. Creates and adapts solutions to address unusual data or novel situations.
Analytical Thinking - Determines criteria for assessing issues and opportunities. Establishes clear goals and priorities needed to assess performance. Identifies relationships and linkages between different information sources. Anticipates issues that are not readily apparent on the surface. Identifies root causes and effects. Establishes clear goals and priorities. Anticipates potential problems and develops solutions needed to resolve them. Systemically analyzes relationships between apparently independent problems and issues. Reviews and cross-reviews reports. Identifies trends as well as isolated events. Translates analytical reports into management presentations, and provides guidance to resolve issues. Anticipates the possible outcome of potential solutions. Identifies areas of significant concern or opportunity. Probes and initiates research to identify critical problems.
Policies and procedures - Seek out opportunities to further understanding of relevant policies and guidance. Identify areas for improvements in existing policies and procedures. Emulate best practices in completing own work program. Provides guidance to junior staff and plays a role in transferring skills and knowledge to others.
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. Takes proactive measures to know the internal control procedures (e.g., talks with business leaders about their goals and priorities).
Information Technology and Systems - Leverage information technology systems and applications to improve productivity and efficiency. Provide inputs to IT system enhancement efforts based on day to day working experience and knowledge of the systems.
Communication - Utilize appropriate tools and techniques to explain technical information in plain language. Present information in a logical and organized manner both in speech and in writing. Writes effective correspondence, prepares questions and reports, statements of circumstance and briefing notes.

Poverty has no borders, neither does excellence. We succeed because of our differences and we continuously search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe.

Closing Date for Applications: 9th September, 2020 APPLY HERE

Tags: World Bank