Accounting Officer - Payments Team - CA/CPA - BFSI

Accounting Officer

Unit Overview :

- WFACS plans to centralize processing of vendor payments for WBG's 120+ country offices that are now being processed locally in each office. A new team is being set up in Chennai to handle all payments for both HQ and country offices, combining the existing accounts payable team that processes payments for all HQ units in Washington DC with new staff to handle country office payments.

- The new payments team will be located in Chennai and report functionally to WFACS.

- This team will complement and work with WFACS's other functional teams in Chennai - Accounting and Advisory Services (WFAAA) and the Assurance and Client Support team (WFAAC), which deliver core transaction processing services related to Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Fixed Assets, provide advisory and support services to country office accountants, travelers and WBG staff in accounting and compliance activities through training, reviews and help desk operations.

- WFACS is looking to recruit a suitable candidate for the Accounting Officer position to lead the country office payments team.

Duties and Accountabilities :

- The Accounting Officer should manage the team and its deliverables, and serve as a functional expert for complex transactional issues. The job requires extensive interaction with country office accounting staff and vendors, and HQ counterparts.

- Develop the team's work program in collaboration with the senior team lead and monitor performance and workload

- Manage, mentor and supervise staff

- Take the lead on investigations of complex/exceptional cases and work with HQ counterparts to develop effective solutions

- Manage service standards, client relations and escalations

- Serve as a focal point to HQ counterparts and clients

- Implement and supervise process changes and adjustments to AP process controls

- Identify challenges and process improvement opportunities, and implement solutions

- Review and approve payment transactions above pre-established thresholds

- Periodically review pending items and ensure proper action is taken to clear them

- Provide inputs to HQ counterparts on policy changes, if any, relating to fixed assets, leases and liabilities

- Perform preliminary review of monthly Fixed Assets Trial Balance submitted to HQ counterparts

- Review monthly Trial Balance for accounts maintained by the Chennai team

- Monitor the quality and productivity of processes against benchmarks; develop automated reports/tools to facilitate such monitoring

- Participate in institutional projects that require developing user acceptance testing plans, assigning resources for such testing, and monitoring performance

- Ensure that issues related to procedures, process, policy, and controls are documented and communicated clearly to HQ counterparts and business partners

- Identify solutions that balance client needs with division and institutional requirements

- Assess risk, efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness through regular bench-marking

- Coordinate training for staff on new systems/processes

- Guide team members on optimizing processing standards and productivity

Selection Criteria :

Education and Experience :

- Master's degree or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Commerce or related fields with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.

- CA or CPA (or an equivalent professional accounting qualification) is Mandatory.

- Strong hands-on experience in Managing Processors in Accounts Payable, Global Travel Expenses, Vendor Payments, Payroll, etc.

- Solid experience in SAP System

Core Technical Knowledge and Skills :

- In-depth understanding of and work experience in integrated and automated back-office accounting operations using SAP software, preferably SAP FI modules.

- 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

- 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

- Meet WFA Core Competencies at GF level (given below)

WFA Core Competencies :

- Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients stated and unstated needs. Adds value by constantly looking for a better way to get more impact-full results, sets challenging stretch goals for oneself. Immerses oneself in client experiences and perspective by asking probing questions to understand unmet needs.

- Demonstrates accountability for achieving results that have a development impact and financial, environmental and social sustainability. Identifies and proposes solutions to mitigate and manage risks.

Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries :

- Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives. Appropriately involves others in decision making and communicates with key stakeholders. Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved. Actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches. Integrates WBG perspective into work.

Lead and Innovate :

- Develops innovative solutions. Contributes new insights to understand situations and develops solutions to resolve complex problems. Adapts as circumstances require and manages impact of own behavior on others in context of WBG's values and mission. Identifies and pursues innovative approaches to resolve issues.

Effective WBG staff rapidly and readily share their expertise :

- Client solutions, Leverages department's expertise and body of knowledge across WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions. Seeks to learn from more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and helps others to learn. Builds personal and professional networks inside and outside the department unit.

Make Smart Decision :

- Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward. Seeks diversity of information and inputs, researches possible solutions, and generates recommended options. Identifies and understands risks and proposes recommendations. Based on risk analysis makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility, considering the interests and concerns of stakeholders.

Client Understanding and Advising :

- Looks at issues from the client's perspective and advocates for clients within own area as well as urges others to focus on meeting client needs. Works with others across the VPU to define client needs and develop the best approach to meet client needs (e.g., finds appropriate solutions and negotiates internally for needed resources and support).

Plus :

- Advises the client and helps them think proactively about how to best meet their current and future needs.

- Builds an independent opinion of clients needs and opportunities that may challenge traditional approaches within WBG.

Broad Business Thinking :

- Maintains an in-depth understanding of the long term implications of decisions both for related areas within the VPU and the client's business. Involves the key players in identifying operating needs, issues and immediate solutions.

- Ensures that decisions are supported by relevant stakeholders and creates the business case for investment in process and enhancements. Sets clear explanations for the integration and alignment of services/solutions with business functions, focusing on the strategic value provided for area of responsibility within the client's business.

Plus :

- Advises the client and helps them think proactively about how to best meet their current and future needs. Plus builds an independent opinion of clients needs and opportunities that may challenge traditional approaches within WBG.

Project Management :

- Understands and utilizes the basic concepts of project management, as they relate to the implementation of a project. Uses project management standard tools, methodologies and processes, and can apply them to all project phases (scoping, planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring, stakeholder communication, control and close-out) in settings including cross-functional teams. Is able to proactively identify and mitigate project risks as well as to manage project issues.

Analytical Thinking :

- Coordinates the information gathering and reporting process. Reviews trends and compares to expectations. Conducts research to define problems and prepares responses to anticipated questions. Prioritizes multiple issues and opportunities. Identifies relationships and linkages within several information sources. Anticipates issues that are not readily apparent on the surface. Identifies root causes and effects.

- Defines priorities within performance objectives. Reports and identifies areas that need guidance in order to resolve complex issues. Anticipates the possible outcome of potential solutions.

Policies and Procedures :

- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of policies and procedures in related fields. Provide training and guidance to junior staff in enhancing their understanding of relevant policies and procedures. Lead by example and serve as the best practice champion in applying pertinent policies and procedures.

Risk and Controls :

- Lead by example and serve as best practice champions in completing internal control procedures, including understanding impact beyond own immediate functional areas. Provide constructive inputs to the design, implementation and improvement of risk and internal control procedures for stand-alone end-to-end processes based on understanding of the business.

- Assess impact of potential control risks and propose mitigating control procedures as appropriate, with balanced efficiency and effectiveness results within any given processes.

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 :

- Adapt the communication style appropriate for the intended audience. Adopt an inclusive approach to communication as is appropriate to the situation, so as to ensure adequate stakeholder participation. Present information effectively and encourage feedback.

Note : WFA is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.