Accounting Officer, Chennai, India (GF) World Bank Closing date: Monday, 9 March 2015 (added 25 February)

Closing date: Monday, 9 March 2015

Background / General description

The World Bank Group (WBG) Finance & Accounting Vice Presidency is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting and internal control framework for 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 extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of these entities. The WBG F&A also leads the client service function for the WBG corporate expenses and WBG trust funds, ensures fiduciary responsibility for all disbursements related to Bank operations, and leads the IFC Business Partnership function, including the IFC Budget, Finance & Procurement Networks, as well as the IFC Facilities Management, Procurement & Administrative function.

Organizationally, WBG Finance & Accounting comprises six functional areas: (1) WBG Accounting Business Services; (2) WBG Financial Operations; (3) IFC Business Partnership; (4) IFC Facilities Management, Procurement and Administration; (5) the Chief Accountant's Department and (6) WBG Finance and Operations, Chennai. These units report directly to the WBG Controller and IFC Chief Administrative Officer who heads the Finance & Accounting Vice Presidency. The teams collectively include approximately 500 staff, of which about 50% are located at headquarters and 50% are located in regional offices, the largest being in Chennai, India.

The Corporate Expense (WFACS) Division, as part of Accounting Business Services, is responsible for the fair recording and reporting of the World Bank Group's administrative expenses and fixed assets which have a combined financial statement value of $4.0 billion. This includes delivering core accounting services and support, providing guidance to WBG business units on the development and maintenance of an effective system of internal controls, and providing strategic leadership on complex business issues pertaining to administrative expenses. The Division is also accountable for developing policies relating to administrative expenses and fixed assets, and for monitoring compliance with policies related to several WBG systems, including SAP and the Travel System. Specifically, the Division has responsibility for managing the following business processes: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Transaction Processing, Tax Allowance Administration, Fixed Asset and Lease Accounting, Travel Accounting, Resource Management Services, Country Office Accounting, and also leads the Bank's Quality Assurance and Internal Control programs as they relate to administrative expenses.

The Accounting Advisory Team (WFAAA) is located in Chennai, India and functionally reports to WFACS. The Accounting Advisory Team (WFAAA) delivers core financial services related to the Bank's administrative expenses and fixed assets including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Fixed Assets and Advisory Services to clients throughout WBG. The unit also provides transaction processing services to clients on a cost-recovery basis.

The Accounting Officer reports to the Senior Accounting Officer (Senior Team Lead) and is based in Chennai.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 4 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities: Serve as a functional expert with respect to complex transactional issues.

Identifies solutions that balance client needs with division and institutional requirements. Troubleshoot with counterparts in other business units.
Develops automated reports and analytical/diagnostic tools to facilitate the monitoring of administrative expenses.
Leads small teams to carry out project tasks such as development and execution of detailed test plans for system enhancements and business procedures for new transaction types.
Develops accounting procedures and implements training for affected staff on new software and business tools.
Supports the analysis of risk, efficiency, productivity and cost-effectiveness through regular bench-marking.
Mentors junior staff and provide input to senior-level staff to help optimize processing standards and productivity; identify and provide input to process improvement initiatives.
Accounts Payable - Specific Accountabilities:
Serve as Team Lead, for overseeing the day-to-day global business process activities. This includes developing the team's work program in collaboration with the senior team lead, monitoring workloads and directing activities of other team members, providing guidance on complex issues, identifying and implementing process improvements, managing client relations and service standards and serving as an escalation point as needed.
Manage client relations and escalations.
Serve as a focal point to HQ AP team on Accounts Payable and Fixed Assets activities.
Frequently review analysis of the volumes of older unprocessed items and ensure proper action is taken to clear them;
Supervise and plan local implementation of changes in processes, the business side of system software changes, and adjustments to AP process control practices;
Identify problems and opportunities for improvements in current processes and work with HQ AP team to implement solutions;
Review and approve all payment transactions above established value thresholds
Provide inputs for interpreting and applying accounting policy with regard to fixed assets, leases and liabilities.
Perform the preliminary review of the monthly Fixed Assets Trial Balance submitted to WFACS.
Provide thought leadership in formulating accounting/control procedures to address exceptional situations in Accounts Payable team and work with WFACS counterparts to develop effective solutions
Review monthly Trial Balance for the accounts maintained by the Team in Chennai;
Partner with HQ counterparts to develop automated reports and analytical/diagnostic tools to facilitate the monitoring of the various areas such as Accounts Payable and Fixed Assets. Through the application of these tools, monitor and assess the various operations of the section to analyze the quality and productivity of the processes against benchmarks and performance standards.
Collaborate with HQ counterparts to participate in institutional projects that impact Accounts Payable and Fixed assets and lead Chennai team to actively participate to develop test plans, assign resources for user acceptance testing and oversee performance.
Function as primary contact for the Accounts Payable team. Ensure high communication standards are maintained, including with HQ counterparts on accounting and controls for Accounts Payable and Fixed Assets.

Selection Criteria: Education and Experience: Minimum:

CA/CPA (or equivalent professional accounting qualification) with a minimum of eight years of relevant experience, preferably with a multinational organization
Core Technical Knowledge:
Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, namely Excel, Word and Power Point, including advanced spreadsheet design, manipulation, and analysis skills.
A proven track record of problem-solving in an automated accounting environment.
Experience in SAP is essential.
Demonstrated ability to learn new technology quickly and effectively use it for maximum productivity.
Strong communication skills with the ability to prepare present and discuss findings in written and oral form.
Outstanding interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate and deal with tact with staff at all levels.
Proven ability to multi-task, meet tight deadlines, and attention to details.
Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with stakeholders and colleagues.
Strong client focus, flexible, and excellent team player.
Communication and interpersonal skills - Strong written and oral communication skills, excellent inter-personal skills and ability to deal with staff at all levels.
Experience in back-office accounting operations using integrated ERP SAP software
Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
Competencies:
Project Management - Understands and utilizes the basic concepts of project management, as they relate to the implementation of a project
Business Processes & Systems - Has a moderate understanding of business processes and systems to review and analyze business processes and systems, recommend improvements, enhance internal controls, and assist with implementation.
Fundamental Controller-ship Knowledge - Has a broad understanding of general accounting principles, risks and controls, financial concepts and financial transaction processes.
Accounting Policy - Able to interpret basic accounting principles and related auditing standards, and translate those principles and standards into accounting and administrative policies and procedures for the organization.
Transaction Processing - Able to recommend solutions to problems/issues encountered during transaction processing.
Financial Products - Broad understanding of the range of available financial instruments and able to advise stakeholders on selection of financial terms, and negotiate detailed loan choices.
Risk Management & Internal Controls - Has solid knowledge of internal controls & risk management principles to help deliver risk and controls work program, demonstrating ability to guide stakeholders toward a basic interpretation of related policies.
Lead and Innovate: Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions. Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG's values and mission.
Deliver Results for Clients: Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable.
Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries: Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect.
Create, apply and share Knowledge: Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners. Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff.
Make Smart Decisions: Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action.
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.
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.
WFAAA is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.