WFATA is responsible for accounts payable, fixed assets and lease accounting, quality assurance program, sanctions screening 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.
WFATA is currently seeking an Accounting Officer to join its Travel Accounting Team in Washington, DC, reporting to the team lead for Travel and Quality Assurance.
Duties and Accountabilities:
Review the travel policy and processes, propose and implement updates, ensuring they meet the WBG objectives and align with industry best practices.
Perform a key role in the assessment of travel control risks and identify opportunities to strengthen the Bank’s internal controls through process improvements, policy revisions and system enhancements. Proactively develop plans and actions to implement such changes.
Participate in the implementation and ongoing management of the Corporate Card program, including initiating and coordinating system changes, communications, and client support and oversee monitoring and reporting.
Manage the Corporate Card vendor relationship, ensuring the WBG receives the contracted services, and the vendors comply with the Service Level Agreements.
Contribute to the Travel Process Rethink to incorporate best practices into the WBG travel policies and processes.
Provide expert input in the design of the new travel system and process in the context of WBG’s ERP replacement project, and its ongoing maintenance, ensuring alignment with established objectives and policies, adequate controls and validation, monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
Design and develop analytical reports, including Business Intelligence reports and Dashboard, necessary to effectively monitor the WBG’s travel and aid management in decision-making. Employ Travel data analytics to support WBG-wide initiatives such as efficiency reviews and moving data to the Enterprise Data Explorer platform.
Perform periodic Travel trial balance review and provide guidance on accounting policies, financial reporting, and internal control matters relating to Travel; work with WFA Risk and Controls team and external auditors as needed.
Perform project lead or project team member roles as appropriate, based on the assigned work program. Provide expert inputs to system enhancements and other process improvement projects.
Share key information on processes, timelines, responsibilities, expectations, and potential problems with supervisors and team members and seek their input.
Guide and supervise other team members as applicable. Provide direction and training to less experienced staff in the course of their day-to-day work regarding reporting, processes and procedures. Provide guidance as needed and serve as an adequate source of knowledge in responding to travel inquiries.
Provide guidance and support as needed to the offshore travel helpdesk function responsible for responding to staff members. Regularly communicate and engage with the team on travel matters.
Closely partner with other units and business partners on various travel-related initiatives.
Interpret and provide guidance on the WBG’s travel policy to staff, visitors and other WBG units.
Provide technical assistance on, and lead the review and resolution of the more complex accounting and control issues that relate to travel transactions processing in SAP, PeopleSoft and other related systems.
Support the interpretation and application of professional/authoritative literature such as statements issued by the FASB and the IASB to complex business issues. In addition, assist in formulating Bank-specific policies and procedures to ensure that the Bank’s recording of administrative expenses remains compliant with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Selection Criteria:
Minimum Professional accounting qualification (ACA / ACCA / CPA or equivalent).
Bachelor’s or Master's degree in relevant discipline (Finance, Accounting) with 5 years of relevant experience.
Solid understanding of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and/or International Standards on Auditing (ISA) is a plus. Knowledge of WBG-specific policies, processes, and systems will be an advantage.
Experience in travel process & accounting, and corporate card management will be an advantage.
Good understanding of SAP and institutional travel systems will be an advantage.
Demonstrated experience and ability to analyze process risks and compliance in a large organization, employing modern techniques leveraging technology and implementing control procedures to mitigate the risks.
Solid knowledge of internal controls and procedures related to administrative expenses in an international and automated environment is required.
Experience in BW/BI, Tableau, Alteryx and PowerBI will be an advantage. Familiarity with data analytics and visualization techniques and principles. Practical experience in analyzing large sets of quantitative and qualitative data, identifying the underlying control risks, employing leading-edge techniques, and translating findings into the formulation of solutions.
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technology quickly and effectively.
Skill managing complexity, leading by influence, proactivity, problem-solving, exercising judgment and discretion, and innovation, and detail-orientation.
Diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills; commitment to work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment with an open and collegial work style and the ability to listen and integrate ideas from diverse views.
Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to express views and opinions diplomatically and confidently. Ability to effectively communicate with clients and business partners to ensure quality results.
Experience leading and managing projects and managing associated change.
Ability to integrate and balance priorities, work activities, and resources for the benefit of multiple key stakeholders.
